Hiking in Da Lat 2026: Bidoup Park, Waterfalls and Highland Trails

Da Lat has the best highland hiking in southern Vietnam. The combination of altitude, old-growth forest, and the biodiversity of Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park makes it a serious trekking destination as well as a casual day trip market.

Lang Biang Mountain

The most accessible peak near Da Lat. 12km north of the city, Lang Biang rises to 2,169m — the highest accessible summit in the Da Lat area. The hiking trail to the summit takes 3–4 hours from the park gate and passes through pine forest and open moorland.

Views: On clear days, the summit provides views across the Lam Dong plateau and to the distant Truong Son mountains. Clouds and mist are frequent — morning starts give the best chance of clear views.

Getting there: Motorbike to Lang Biang National Park gate (12km, 20 minutes). Park entry fee: ₫20,000 ($0.80). Hiking guide optional but not required for the main trail.

Alternative: A 4WD jeep takes visitors to a lower summit for ₫200,000 ($8) per person. The hiking trail gives the better experience.

Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park

A serious national park 30km north of Da Lat. The park covers 70,038 hectares and includes old-growth montane forest, over 300 bird species, and rare highland mammals (clouded leopard and sun bear presence recorded, though rarely seen).

Day trek options: The park runs official guided day treks from the visitors’ centre. Half-day: ₫200,000–350,000 ($8–14) per person. Full day: ₫350,000–500,000 ($14–20). Guide is required.

Multi-day treks: 2–3 day camping treks in the deeper forest are available through licensed operators. The most serious hiking available from Da Lat.

Birdwatching: Bidoup is one of Vietnam’s premier birdwatching sites. The endemic Vietnamese highland birds — Dalat bush warbler, grey-crowned crocias, Vietnamese cutia — are found here. Specialist birding guides available.

Waterfall trails

Pongour Falls (50km south): Vietnam’s largest waterfall by width — 100m across in peak flow. The walking trail from the car park to the base of the falls is easy (1km). ₫20,000 ($0.80).

Datanla Falls (15km south): A developed waterfall park with a toboggan ride down through the forest. The walking trail around the falls is 2–3km. ₫30,000 ($1.20) entry.

Elephant Falls (Thac Voi, 25km southwest): A powerful 30m waterfall accessible via steep steps through the forest. More challenging access than the other falls but less crowded. ₫30,000 ($1.20).

Canyoning

Guided canyoning — abseiling down waterfall faces, jumping into pools, swimming through canyon sections — is the adventure activity most associated with Da Lat. Groovy Gecko Adventures and Phat Tire Ventures are the established operators with strong safety records.

Half-day canyoning: ₫700,000–1,200,000 ($28–48). Full day (advanced canyoning): ₫1,200,000–2,000,000 ($48–80).

Practical notes

Weather: Da Lat’s afternoon rains (May–November wet season) affect hiking. Start early (07:00) to complete routes before afternoon showers. The dry season (December–April) is more reliable for full-day hikes.

Gear: Hiking shoes or grip trainers essential. Waterproof jacket even in the dry season. The altitude means temperatures can drop significantly in the evening.

Guides: For Bidoup park, guides are required and add genuine value — the forest trails are not self-explanatory and the birdwatching and wildlife context requires local knowledge.