As the largest city in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, some of the best hiking by Da Lat is just a short distance from the downtown area. This part of Vietnam is known to have a subtropical climate and gets a range of seasons, making it an ideal place to visit for outdoors enthusiasts.
The best time of year to visit Da Lat is between December in March when crowds are low, the rainy season has ended, temperatures aren’t too cold, and the flowers are in bloom. June through September is the peak tourist season for natives, as it’s a destination many people flock towards to beat the heat. The winter months have their own beauty, but it does get frigid and might be too chilly for hiking.
Here are the best places to hike near Da Lat, in order of proximity of their starting points.
Tuyen Lam Lake West Trail – 7 km | 15 minutes
Stretching 17.3 km/10.8 miles out and back, the Tuyen Lam Lake West Trail is ideal for visitors looking for a moderately challenging hike. On average, this trek takes about five or six hours to complete and can effortlessly be done in one day.
The elevation gain reaches 632 meters/2073 feet, and the path is partially paved, offering a variety of conditions during foot travel. Some of the highlights of this hike include walking alongside a large lake, forest scenery, and many opportunities for bird and wildlife watching.
Thien Vien Truc Lam – 7.5 km | 15 minutes
The Thien Vien Truc Lam is a very short loop at just 1.1 km/0.7 miles long, but it comes packed with enjoyable nature scenery and a historic attraction on its course. This trek takes about 25 minutes to do and would be considered more of a leisurely stroll, but it’s doable for visitors of all ages and skill levels.
Featured on the path is Thiền viện Trúc lâm, one of the largest Zen Buddhist temples in the Lam Dong area. The walk up to the temple is covered with wildflowers and lush grass, making for a very relaxing experience.
Da Phu Hills Trail – 12 km | 20 minutes
The Da Phu Hills Trail is a lovely, relatively short hike that extends 4km/2.5 miles out and back. With a difficulty rating of moderate, the main trail is unpaved and leads trekkers through lots of unspoiled natural areas.
The elevation gain of this path is only 211 meters/692 feet, and the average time to complete the hike from start to finish is around one and a half hours. Da Phu Hills trailhead is located on Hẻm 2 Đa Phú road, right across the street from the Temple Asoka.
Tiger Cave & Falls – 13 km | 25 minutes
The hike out to the stunning Tiger Falls is a popular tour from Da Lat, taking about six hours or most of a day to complete. This trip features a beautiful 50-meter/164-foot waterfall surrounded by a sparkling stream and a pine tree forest.
Many hikers would consider this hike a moderate-challenging one, and it takes roughly six hours to complete. Tiger Falls is an excellent option for visitors staying in Da Lat, as the trailhead is only a short distance from the city center.
Samson Mountain (dinh Pinhatt) – 15 km | 30 minutes
Samson Mountain Peak is a favorite hiking spot for visitors to Da Lat, as this area has everything that an outdoor enthusiast could ask for. Most do this hike on an organized tour that travels through a small village, colorful farms, gardens, and plantations before concluding with beautiful views of the Central Highalnds from an elevation of 1,700 meters/5,577 feet.
This trip is accomplishable in one day and takes roughly four to six hours to complete, depending on how much time is spent on the peak. The total length of this trail is 12km/7.45 miles.
Lang Biang Peak – 18 km | 50 minutes
A challenging yet worthwhile hike is up Lang Biang Peak, situated in Lac Duong District and reaching an elevation as high as 2,167 m/7,109 feet. Trekking up to the top of this mountain is often done in a group tour for a price, but the scenery on the way is unforgettable.
Stunning pine forests and lush greenery line the path all the way up to the peak, where breathtaking sweeping views of Da Lat can be seen. Hikers also pass through the Lat Village along the trail, which offers some great insight into rural Vietnamese life.
Cau Dat Farm Loop – 22.5 km | 35 minutes
Visitors to Da Lat that are up for a physical challenge should look at the Cau Dat Farm Loop, an intense 33.3 km/20.7-mile loop that starts and ends in Lam Dong, southeast of the city. This difficult path travels through forests and circles around a portion of Highway 20, just north of the Phat Chi neighborhood.
On average, this hike takes up to 12 hours of hiking without stopping, so proper outdoor attire and footwear should be a top consideration.
Bidoup Nui Ba National Park – 33km | 50 minutes
Located roughly 33 km/20.5 miles from downtown Da Lat, the Bidoup Nui Ba National Park is one of Vietnam’s newest national parks. Nui Ba Mountain is one of the region’s highest peaks and reaches up to 2,287 meters/7,503 feet of elevation, offering stunning forest and river scenery.
There is an entry fee to use the park, and while it can be done solo, most tourists opt for a multi-day hiking tour. Travelers who wish to tackle a hike in this area should be in good physical shape, as the altitude and terrain can be demanding.
Trekking through Da Lat is an unforgettable experience not to be missed; keep this list on hand for your next journey to this part of Vietnam. And perhaps, add a Dalat homestay for your accommodation.
13 Stunning Hiking Spots by Sapa
