Balbalasang Balbalan National Park was established in 1973 in the Central Cordilleras region on the island of Luzon. The nearest town, Tabuk, is located 25 kilometres to the west. The park consists of two mountain ranges with numerous streams flowing into the Saltan River, which divides the ranges. Mount Sapokoi, located in the western part, reaches a height of 2,456 metres and overlooks the province of Ilocos and the Cagayan Valley. The total area of the forested park is 1,388 hectares.
The word "balbalasang" in the local dialect means "forest dominated by Balasang trees." This tree reaches a height of 15 metres and therefore stands out sharply from the others. The local tribes living in the park, are the custodians of the park - they set strict limits on the use of the forest and determine the punishment for those who break the rules.
The park's biodiversity is astonishing in its scope: it is a neighbourhood of tropical rainforest, pine forest and broad-leaved forests. Birds alone in the park There are 83 species of birds alone, of which 34 are Philippine endemics, and 2 species are found only on the island of Luzon - the Isabela oriole and the bright-breasted orchard pigeon. Among the mammals in the park are bats, wyverns, deer, macaques, various rodents and warthogs. The Luzon pygmy wing and brush-tailed rat are listed as endangered species. В 2003 In 2003, several new species were discovered in the park, including the short-toed tree rat, thought to have been extinct for over 100 years, a frog of the genus Platymantis, and an unknown species of blind snake.
To date, the park's tourism opportunities are poorly explored. Of the Potentially attractive sites are the high mountain peaks, which can give lovers of mountain climbing an unforgettable experience; the so-called "Eternal stronghold", a lone pine tree growing on top of a huge boulder; the Saltan River and the Spanish Trail, which winds through the mountains and leads to the village of Abra, once used by Spanish conquistadors. Particularly picturesque numerous waterfalls hidden in the thickets of the rainforest.
