ABRA IS BEST ASSOCIATED with the Abra River, the biggest, longest, and most popular of the many rivers crisscrossing the valleys of this northern Philippine province, and the point where all its rivers and streams converge.

Unknown to many, Abra is also rich in hidden treasures. So don’t be surprised if your timeline gets flooded in the next few days with paradise-like waterfalls that have long been kept secret from the outside world — the hidden treasures of Abra have finally been found, thanks to the netizens and photographers who don’t keep the beauty of previously unknown Philippine destinations to themselves. Or at least the places we used to care less about.

If you’re the type who loves beautiful, serene bodies of water despite the long travel it takes to reach them, Abra is the place for you. The province’s once-secret but now increasingly famous falls, Barusibis Falls and Mulawin Falls, are ready to greet you with their freshest waters and picture-perfect beauty.

Barusibis Waterfalls

No longer hidden, the Barusibis Waterfalls in the town of Lagayan is a gem well worth finding, though she isn’t an easy one to reach. From the town proper, you’ll need to trek for about an hour before you can enjoy the magnificent sight of its unspoiled beauty.

Even the province’s tourism website won’t give you much detail about this spot, so it’s up to travelers like us to find it, enjoy it, and share it with the rest of the world. Its mossy green freshwater is genuinely inviting, and so is the case for booking a trip to Abra sooner rather than later. We wouldn’t be surprised if our fashion-obsessed friends are among the first to show up for a photo shoot, given how the lush green vegetation and golden brown rocks here make for a perfect natural backdrop.

Mulawin Waterfalls

In the town of Tineg, you’ll find the cascading waterfalls of Mulawin. ‘Magical’ doesn’t quite capture it — this is the kind of place you’d expect to find only in a fairy tale.

The crystal-clear water cascades smoothly down a terrace-like rock formation. The absence of non-biodegradable materials makes it genuinely safe to take a dip in any of its several pools.

Mulawin Waterfalls is located in Sitio Kaparkan. Like Barusibis, it requires a trek to reach — one that promises to be an unforgettable adventure in its own right, as you commune with nature and take in the forest views along the way.

How to get there?

From Manila, travel time to Abra province by land is around eight hours. Bus lines servicing the province include Partas Bus Lines, Dominion Bus Lines, Philippine Rabbit, Sambrano Bus Lines, Viron Bus Lines, BBL Transit, and Esonice Bus Lines, all of which stop at the Bangued bus terminal. From there, motorcycles will take you to the nearby towns and attractions, while jeepneys serve the more distant destinations.

If you’re planning a multi-day stay in the province, consider also visiting Lobot Eco-Park in San Juan, Tangadan Tunnel in San Quintin, Bangued Cathedral, and the Don Mariano Marcos Bridge at Tayum-Dolores.

Don’t forget to bring insect repellant, sunscreen, zip locks, and, of course, your camera. Spread the word, and feel free to share this post with your friends.

Photos by AJ Buenavista & Sherwin Joseph Paguio.