We arrived in Burgos, Ilocos Norte on a warm afternoon. We were ready to visit one of the province’s most well-known natural spots — the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

From the parking area, locals offered horseback rides going to the formation. Since the sun was still up and the walk looked a bit long under the heat, we decided to ride. The horses were calm and the guides were friendly, helping us mount up and get comfortable. Riding a horse along the trail made the trip more enjoyable. We had an open view of the sea as we got closer.

The trail was mostly dry and surrounded by grass and scattered rocks. After about 10 minutes, we finally reached the edge of the coast where the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation stood. From a distance, it looked like a large white sculpture rising from the rocky shore. The name “kapurpurawan” comes from the Ilocano word “puraw”, meaning white. It’s easy to see why. The rocks are a bright, almost chalky white, especially under the afternoon sun.

We got off the horses and walked the rest of the way on foot. The rock formation was larger than we expected. Its smooth, curved surface had been shaped over time by wind and waves. It looked like nature had carved it slowly, layer by layer. The area around the rock is open and peaceful, with views of the sea stretching out into the distance.

On the way back, we rode the horses again, this time with the sun starting to dip toward the horizon. The ride back felt cooler. It was more relaxed. The view of the coast in the afternoon light made for a lovely way to end the visit.