Set along the eastern part of Central Luzon, the Northern Sierra Madre National Park is considered one of the ten most-protected regions in the Philippines. Ideal for trekking and mountaineering, the 360,000-hectare park is the country’s largest protected area and the richest in genetic, species and habitat variety.
The mountain range system of the Sierra Madre provides the environment for development and growth of unique biotopes and their associated fauna and flora. These include grasslands and mountain forests that are among the most unique on a per area basis within the Philippines. The long chain of mountains offers habitats for the innumerable species of animals and plants that have adapted to diverse ecological niches.
The significance of the park is emphasized by the countless rare and endangered species of fauna that it supports. These comprise the Philippine eagle, cloud rat, golden crowned flying fox, Philippine crocodile, various turtles and the colossal dugong (sea cow), to mention but a few. Besides, the national park is home to several rare and endemic species of plants such as the leguminous tree, various orchids and members of the citrus family.
Getting There & Away
The park is accessible from Cauayan Airport by light aircraft, and from Sta. Ana in Cagayan or Baler in Aurora Province by pumpboat, as well as by trekking from Ilagan in Isabela and San Mariano in Cauayan. It can, furthermore, be reached by air transport from Tuguegarao’s domestic airport. A flight from Manila to Tuguegarao takes about 45 minutes.