Cassamata Hill National Park

Cassamata Hill Overview

Cassamata Hill National Park, known in Filipino as Pambansang Liwasan ng Cassamata Hill, is a small but significant protected area located in the heart of Bangued, the capital of Abra Province in northern Luzon, Philippines.

Encompassing just 0.5 square miles (1.3 square kilometers), the park rests atop a forested hill that rises above the Abra River Valley. Declared a national park in 1974, Cassamata Hill is valued not only for its natural charm and urban greenery but also for its panoramic views, spiritual landmarks, and recreational opportunities that serve both locals and visitors.

The terrain of Cassamata Hill is gently sloping, with forested pathways and ridgelines that provide sweeping views of Bangued town and the surrounding countryside. The park’s elevation is modest, but it offers a refreshing escape from the busy lowlands below.

The landscape features a mix of secondary forest, ornamental gardens, and grassy clearings. Trees such as acacia, narra, and mahogany provide shade along the trails, while flowering plants, bamboo groves, and vines add texture to the hillsides. Walking paths wind through the hilltop, creating accessible routes for hikers, joggers, and pilgrims.

Though small in size, the park hosts a variety of wildlife typical of Luzon’s lowland forests. Common sightings include tree frogs, butterflies, and birds such as Philippine bulbuls, swiftlets, and sunbirds. Small mammals like civets and rodents are occasionally seen in the early morning or evening.

The park’s green cover provides a refuge for these species, especially within an increasingly urbanized setting. While biodiversity is modest compared to larger national parks, Cassamata Hill plays an essential role in maintaining ecological balance and offering habitat for native flora and fauna within a developing area.

Cassamata Hill’s most popular feature is its panoramic viewing deck, which provides unobstructed views of the Abra River, the Cordillera mountain ranges, and the town of Bangued below. Visitors also come to see the park’s religious landmarks, including a Marian shrine and Stations of the Cross, which attract pilgrims especially during Holy Week.

At the hilltop stands a large statue of the Virgin Mary and a cross that has become a well-known symbol of the town. The serenity of the area makes it ideal for meditation, prayer, and quiet walks.

The park is primarily experienced through leisure walking, jogging, sightseeing, and religious visits. Its paved pathways and landscaped sections make it accessible for all ages. Locals use the area for morning exercise and family outings, while tourists come for the views and cultural atmosphere.

Benches, gazebos, and shaded rest areas provide comfort, and the park’s location within walking distance of downtown Bangued adds to its appeal as a convenient and peaceful destination.

Conservation efforts in Cassamata Hill National Park are focused on maintaining its green spaces amidst urban expansion. Issues such as littering, encroachment, and erosion have required regular maintenance and community involvement.

Local government units and civic groups work together to implement clean-up campaigns, tree planting activities, and awareness programs to ensure the park remains a healthy and welcoming space.

Despite its small scale, Cassamata Hill serves as a vital green lung for Bangued and stands as a model of how even compact natural parks can enhance urban life and local heritage.

Park Map

Cassamata Hill National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Cassamata Hill National Park also supports a community of forest birds, particularly lowland and foothill species, some of which are endemic to Luzon. Despite the park’s small area, its trees and green cover serve as an important refuge for both resident and migratory birds.

Philippine Bulbul
A highly vocal and common forest songbird, the bulbul is often seen in the canopy or near fruiting trees. It feeds on insects, fruit, and nectar and is a key seed disperser.

White-eared Brown Dove
This endemic dove forages quietly on the forest floor for fallen seeds and fruit. It is shy and often flushed from trails by hikers passing through its habitat.

Philippine Coucal
This secretive ground-foraging bird preys on lizards, insects, and small birds. Its deep, resonant call is often heard echoing through the quiet forest during early morning hours.

Lowland White-eye
These active, greenish songbirds forage in groups through the mid-canopy, feeding on nectar and small insects. They are recognized by their white eye-ring and soft calls.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
A small but energetic bird, it climbs along trunks and branches in search of insects. Its soft drumming and buzzing call make it easy to spot in mixed flocks.

Barn Swallow
Frequently seen gliding over open areas or perched on wires near the park’s edge, barn swallows catch flying insects and often nest on nearby buildings or structures.

Guaiabero
This small green parrot, endemic to Luzon, is usually found in pairs or small groups feeding on fruit, buds, and flowers. It is quick-moving and often heard before it’s seen.

Brown Shrike
A migratory bird that winters in Luzon, it perches conspicuously while hunting insects and small animals. It often stores prey by impaling it on twigs or thorns.

Philippine Serpent Eagle (occasional)
Occasionally seen soaring above the park or forest edge, this raptor preys on snakes, lizards, and small mammals and emits a distinct, whistling call as it glides overhead.

Collared Kingfisher
Often seen near forest edges or small water sources, this bright, loud-calling bird hunts insects, frogs, and small fish. It perches boldly and nests in tree cavities or earthen holes.

Cassamata Hill National Park is a quiet green sanctuary rising above the Abra Valley—where native birds, mammals, and reptiles continue to thrive amidst limestone outcrops, forest paths, and the timeless rhythm of northern Luzon’s wild hill country.

Cassamata Hill National Park, located in Bangued, Abra Province in northern Luzon, Philippines, is a small yet ecologically significant forested area nestled on a hill that overlooks the town and Abra River Valley. Though modest in size, the park provides an important refuge for native wildlife within a largely urbanized and agricultural landscape. Its wooded slopes and secondary forests shelter a number of Luzon’s forest-dwelling mammals and reptiles adapted to hill-type ecosystems.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
This clever and adaptable primate is often found in small troops along the forested trails. It feeds on fruits, insects, leaves, and sometimes crops, making it a familiar species to locals.

Philippine Warty Pig
This shy, forest-dwelling pig roots through soil in search of tubers, fruits, and small invertebrates. Its presence in the park is a sign of the remaining natural forest patches.

Common Palm Civet (Musang)
A nocturnal omnivore, the civet feeds on fruit, small vertebrates, and insects. It often uses tree hollows and dense underbrush as daytime shelters and contributes to seed dispersal.

Philippine Forest Rat
This native rodent forages at night for seeds and insects in the leaf litter. It plays an important role in the park’s food chain, serving as prey for snakes and owls.

Asian House Shrew
Often found at the forest edge or near human structures, this insectivorous mammal feeds on beetles and worms and helps reduce pest populations within the park’s mixed habitats.

Tokay Gecko
This colorful, loud-calling lizard is often seen on trees or old structures at night. It preys on insects and small reptiles and plays an important pest control role in both forested and semi-urban zones.

Water Monitor Lizard
Though more secretive, water monitors may be seen near creek beds or sunny forest edges. They are powerful predators that feed on fish, frogs, birds, and carrion.

Skinks (Various native species)
These agile and smooth-scaled reptiles are common in the park’s leaf litter and sunlit rocks. They feed on insects and are important for maintaining ecological balance.

Spotted Wood Snake (Possible presence)
This small, non-venomous snake inhabits forest floor habitats and feeds on insects, frogs, and small lizards. Its cryptic coloration allows it to blend with the forest substrate.

Common House Gecko
Widespread in and around the park’s structures, this small lizard is active at night and feeds on moths, mosquitoes, and other insects drawn to lights and open areas.

Birds

Philippine Bulbul
A highly vocal and common forest songbird, the bulbul is often seen in the canopy or near fruiting trees. It feeds on insects, fruit, and nectar and is a key seed disperser.

White-eared Brown Dove
This endemic dove forages quietly on the forest floor for fallen seeds and fruit. It is shy and often flushed from trails by hikers passing through its habitat.

Lowland White-eye
These active, greenish songbirds forage in groups through the mid-canopy, feeding on nectar and small insects. They are recognized by their white eye-ring and soft calls.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
A small but energetic bird, it climbs along trunks and branches in search of insects. Its soft drumming and buzzing call make it easy to spot in mixed flocks.

Barn Swallow
Frequently seen gliding over open areas or perched on wires near the park’s edge, barn swallows catch flying insects and often nest on nearby buildings or structures.

Guaiabero
This small green parrot, endemic to Luzon, is usually found in pairs or small groups feeding on fruit, buds, and flowers. It is quick-moving and often heard before it’s seen.

Brown Shrike
A migratory bird that winters in Luzon, it perches conspicuously while hunting insects and small animals. It often stores prey by impaling it on twigs or thorns.

Birds

Philippine Bulbul
A highly vocal and common forest songbird, the bulbul is often seen in the canopy or near fruiting trees. It feeds on insects, fruit, and nectar and is a key seed disperser.

White-eared Brown Dove
This endemic dove forages quietly on the forest floor for fallen seeds and fruit. It is shy and often flushed from trails by hikers passing through its habitat.

Lowland White-eye
These active, greenish songbirds forage in groups through the mid-canopy, feeding on nectar and small insects. They are recognized by their white eye-ring and soft calls.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
A small but energetic bird, it climbs along trunks and branches in search of insects. Its soft drumming and buzzing call make it easy to spot in mixed flocks.

Barn Swallow
Frequently seen gliding over open areas or perched on wires near the park’s edge, barn swallows catch flying insects and often nest on nearby buildings or structures.

Guaiabero
This small green parrot, endemic to Luzon, is usually found in pairs or small groups feeding on fruit, buds, and flowers. It is quick-moving and often heard before it’s seen.

Brown Shrike
A migratory bird that winters in Luzon, it perches conspicuously while hunting insects and small animals. It often stores prey by impaling it on twigs or thorns.