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Photo: Brown R, Siler C, Oliveros C, Welton L, Rock A, Swab J, Van Weerd M, van Beijnen J, Rodriguez D, Jose E, Diesmos A, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
An extensive protected area covering a large swathe of the Sierra Madre Mountains from the boundary with Cagayan to San Mariano town. Home to the indigenous Agta/Dumagat tribes, endemic species such as the Philippine crocodile, the Philippine eagle, the Isabela oriole, pitcher plants and virgin forests, in addition to peaks that have never been named or climbed by humans.
The Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park is the largest protected area of the Philippines covering the northern range of the Sierra Madre mountains of eastern Luzon. The park is located in the eastern part of the province of Isabela in Cagayan Valley containing a total of 359,486 hectares. It was first declared a wilderness reserve encompassing an area within a 45 kilometres (28 mi) radius of Palanan Point known as the Palanan Wilderness Area through Letter of Instructions No. 917-A signed by President Ferdinand Marcos on September 7, 1979. On March 10, 1997, the area was converted into a natural park with the signing of Proclamation No. 978 by President Fidel Ramos.
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An isolated lake reachable only by a four-hour hike or by motorcycling on a single-lane trail, it is home to the endemic Philippine crocodile, which was rediscovered in the area in 1999. An observation tower provides sightseeing opportunities for the reptile as well as endemic birds.
Our Lady of Atocha Parish Church
An 18th century heritage church.
Opened in 1983, it was deemed the largest dam in Southeast Asia at the time and created a reservoir that displaced numerous communities in neighboring Ifugao. Since then it is one of the main sources of irrigation and electricity in the Cagayan Valley Region. The complex and its surroundings have become a favorite recreation spot for residents as well as day-trippers from Santiago. Fishing activities are also available at the reservoir.