Looking back at the road trips that truly shaped my love for travel, one specific journey from 2015 always sticks out. It was the year I packed my bag and joined Team Basti for an epic land trip from the bustling streets of Metro Manila all the way down to the rugged terrains of the Bicol Region.
Because our ultimate goal for the night was to reach the rugged coast of Caramoan, Camarines Sur, we didn't book any accommodations or hotels in Albay to rest. The plan was simple: drive straight through the night from Manila, hit our morning itinerary in Albay, and then push forward to our final destination later that day.
Pushing through the long, overnight hours on the highway, we arrived in Albay just as the morning light broke, bleary-eyed but running on pure excitement to jump right into our first adventure. Our primary target for that first morning was a face-to-face encounter with the world's most perfect cone, Mount Mayon. But as fate and Philippine weather would have it, Mayon had its own plans for us, turning our brief stop into a wet, wild, and unforgettable welcome.
The Boulder Trail: Ride to the Lava Wall
Straight from the endless highway drive, we headed to book our morning ride with Albay ATV Adventure. Looking over their options, we opted for the Green Lava / Boulder Trail—a route that didn't just stay on the paved outskirts but promised a raw look at the massive debris paths left behind by past eruptions.
Our ultimate destination for the morning was a massive boulder pile known locally as the Lava Wall, which famously doubled as an old, makeshift landing pad for helicopters during disaster response and scientific monitoring missions.
Albay ATV Adventure - Package
• Trail Route: Green Lava / Boulder / Active River Bed Way
• Average Duration: Approximately 2 to 3 hours round-trip
• Target Destination: The Lava Wall (Old Helicopter Landing Site)
• Terrain: Rugged riverbeds, volcanic ash, massive boulders, and steep inclines
By the time we hit the trail, nature had dialed up the drama. It was incredibly cloudy, raining, and a typhoon was actively passing through the region. Instead of a clear view of the iconic, symmetrical peak silhouetted against a blue sky, we were met with heavy, low-hanging skies, rushing waters, and a stark, beautiful landscape that felt like the edge of the world.
Despite the gloomy typhoon weather, the ride itself wasn’t intense or overly difficult. The heavy, four-wheeled ATVs felt sturdy and stable, allowing us to cruise smoothly through the boulder-strewn riverbeds and splash our way through the shallow, rising creeks without much of a struggle. It was a relaxed, steady pace that let us safely take in the surreal, rugged scenery around us.
By the time we successfully navigated the trail up to the Lava Wall, Mayon was completely veiled in thick, moody storm clouds. We couldn't see the peak, but standing on that massive debris field she had violently created years prior, with the typhoon winds blowing around us at the old helicopter landing site, you could absolutely feel her immense presence. We finished the enjoyable, rain-drenched trail just as noontime approached, completely soaked but riding a great high.
Nearby Attractions to Visit Around Albay
Because the ATV trail drops you right into the heart of Albay’s tourism hub, the area is packed with other iconic landmarks. Even with the stormy weather masking the volcano, we passed right by the history and scenic hills that make this region so famous:
The Cagsawa Ruins: Located just a short distance from the main ATV hubs, this is the iconic image of Bicol—the lone stone bell tower of a 19th-century Franciscan church sticking out of the ground, with Mayon serving as its backdrop. The rest of the structure was buried during the catastrophic 1814 eruption.
Ligñon Hill Nature Park: A prominent hill standing right next to the volcano's base. On a clear day, its observation deck offers a sweeping 360-degree view of Legazpi City, the Albay Gulf, and Mayon itself. It even features a zipline and a historical Japanese tunnel used during World War II.
Sumlang Lake: A peaceful, 9-hectare body of water in Camalig where tourists usually go for bamboo rafting. It offers a stunning, unobstructed mirror reflection of Mayon Volcano when the skies cooperate.
Trying Sili Ice Cream at 1st Colonial
Starving after the endless drive from Manila and the full morning on the ATVs, we drove into the heart of Legazpi City to find some lunch and shelter from the storm. We headed straight for Pacific Mall, a prominent local hub that housed a branch of Bicol's homegrown culinary legend: 1st Colonial Gril.
While traditional Bicolano comfort food like rich, coconut-heavy Laing and fiery Bicol Express were a given to warm us up, I was there for one specific, non-negotiable culinary rite of passage—trying their famous Sili (Chili) Ice Cream for the very first time.
The Sili Ice Cream Experience: It is a complete mind-bending treat for your tastebuds. When you take that first scoop, it hits your tongue like any good dessert should—smooth, creamy, cold, and distinctly sweet. But just a second later, as it melts, the authentic kick of the local siling labuyo activates. It leaves a warm, unmistakable, and lingering burn right at the back of your throat. It is a bizarre, brilliant contrast of freezing cold and fiery heat that you can't stop eating.
Heading Out: The Afternoon Drive to Caramoan
With our bellies full, our clothes slightly drier, and our throats still tingling from the level-level heat of the chili ice cream, we didn't have much luxury time to linger. Road trips of this scale require keeping a tight schedule, especially since we had no local basecamp to return to.
By early afternoon, we loaded back into the vehicles, waved goodbye to Legazpi City, and began our afternoon travel to our next major destination: Caramoan, Camarines Sur.
Leaving the majestic, storm-wrapped silhouette of Albay behind, we hit the open road once more. We traded the volcanic riverbeds for the winding highway, ready to reach our final stop for the night where the pristine beaches, limestone cliffs, and island-hopping adventures awaited us.
Looking back, pushing through that long drive straight from Manila to navigate the way to the Lava Wall with Team Basti remains one of the absolute highlights of that entire 2015 Bicol road trip.
More in Bicol Region!
- BICOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: The Most Scenic Gateway to the Philippines (Flights & How to Book Online Ticket)
- 5 Masbate Tourist Spots (You Shouldn't Miss) To Visit
- How To Get Around Naga City (Directions and Guide)
- Everything you need to know about Quezon-Bicol Expressway (QueBEx)
- 5 Sorsogon Tourist Spots to Visit and Best Things to Do!
