September 9, 2016

Ba Be National Park Trekking

hiking ba be national park

Ba Be National Park Trekking is the best way to explore the natural beauty and the unique system of flora and fauna of Ba Be. The activity also offers the chance to experience the rich ethnic culture of the Tay living within the park.

Ba Be National Park is located in the district of the same name, in the northwest of Bac Kan Province, about 240 km northwest of Hanoi. The park covers a total area of 23,000 hectares and consists of limestone mountains with unique flora and fauna.

Map of Ba Be national park

Why go trekking in Ba Be national park?

ba be lake, national park vietnam 1

Historical sources indicate that the park was completely covered by thick forests until late in the 19th century. Botanical studies have established the presence of more than 660 botanical species, 526 faunal species, 17 species of fish, as well as many species of reptiles and birds, many of which are endemic.

Ba Be is considered as one of the best trekking area in the country. The whole district of Babe is dominated by the Pia Booc mountain range rising to a height of 1527m. It is the combination of the scenery, from the karst outcrops clad in rich vegetation, to the paddy fields carpeting the lower slopes of the Na Nghe mountains; the rich variety of flora and fauna; and the relationship between the ethnic minority and nature, which together make this a unique and rewarding trekking location.

We at Hiking Vietnam run Ba Be national park trekking homestay tours along with other activities such as boat trip, sightseeing discovery, culture experience, kayaking, bike tour…

When to go trekking in Ba Be national park?

The best time to go trekking in Ba Be National Park is during the dry season starting from late September until mid May. During this time, October and April are the two best month for traveling, hiking in North Vietnam.

In the wet season starting from June to September, there is sometimes big rain. In other days it is hot. The temperature goes around 38 – 40 degree C outside. Moreover the humility is very high in northern Vietnam, 70 – 80%.

In case you can only plan your Babe national park trekking trip in the Summer, and that you would like to do some trekking around the area, we highly recommend you taking an easy short trek that are combined with homestay, boat trips.

What to explore in Ba Be national park?

There are several attractions you might like to discover while trekking in Ba Be national park.

Ba Be Lake

Ba Be lake, babe national park

Ba Be Lake is a freshwater lake between Ba Be and Cho Don districts of Bac Kan province. The lake formed over 200 million years ago while the surrounding the ancient limestone mountains date back more than 450 million years. Ba Be Lake is one of the most unique and beautiful natural tourist attractions in Vietnam. The lake was formed by the geological structural changes millions of years ago that made the limestone mountains and caves.

Dau Dang Waterfall

Dau Dang waterfall is about 3 km to the west of Ba Be Lake. It straddles the border between Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang provinces. Here the Nang River flows over a rocky section, forming a 1km long stretch of rapids and dropping several hundred meters. Water from above thunders down with dazzling white bubbles all year, creating a mighty music within the grandiose jungle. Ba Be national park trekking tour include the waterfall.

Silver Waterfall

Silver Waterfall is situated in Vang Village, Hoang Tri commune, Ba be Suburban District, about 8km south of Ba Be Lake. Silver waterfall is a multi-layer natural waterfall, the base forming small lakes with areas of from 100 to 200 m, thus creating beautiful natural beaches.

Fairy Pond

Fairy Pond is a small lake located on the northern hilltop 100m from Ba Be Lake. It is more than 3,000m wide, surrounded by limestone mountains and primeval jungle, and the pond water is blue and cool.

Widow Island

Widow Island is a beautiful small island located in the center of the lake 1 (Pe Leng) of Ba Be Lake. The Island is made up of rocks, and the roots of the evergreen plants wrap around the rocks so the island looks like a painting on the lake from a distance. Legend has it that the island is inhabited by a kind-hearted widow and her son who used two rice husks from a rice grain given by a fairy, which were grown into two dug-out canoes to rescue civilians during the cataclysm which formed Ba Be Lake in the past.

Hua Ma Cave

Hua Ma Cavern is located in Quan commune, Ba Be Suburban District, 6km south west of Ba Be Lake. It is a huge cavern, situated 350m above sea level and reaching a depth of nearly 700 meters. The average ceiling height is 50m, and the width is 30-50m.

Na Phoong Cave

Na Phoong cave is situated in Bo Lu Village, Nam Mau commune, Ba Be Suburban District, about 2 km south west of the southern wharf of Ba Be Lake. The cavern’s heart is an underground stream flowing from Nam Cuong commune, Cho Don Suburban District through limestone range of mountains, passing Bo Lu Village and flowing into Ba Be Lake.

Tham Phay Cave

Tham Phay cave is located in Na Slai hamlet, Hoang Tri commune, Ba Be district. The cave itself is limestone karst formed by water erosion over millions of years, resulting in an incredible subterranean landscape. The main body of the cave stretches underground for about three thousand meters following a mineral rich underground river. Inside the chambers of the cave are a variety of stalagmite columns reaching heights of up to forty meters, mirrored by large stalactite formations hanging from the ceiling. It is dubbed as “Son Doong cave” in the North of Vietnam.

Ba Be hill tribe villages

Apart from natural landscapes, Ba Be also attracts visitors by its authentic hill tribe villages. Trekking in Ba Be national park to meet the Tay and Dao people. This is your opportunity to learn about local culture and traditions of Vietnamese ethnic groups in Ba Be.

Ba Be national park trekking tours

ba be national park trekking, hiking

Most of Ba Be national park trekking tours start from Pac Ngoi village, taking you to the Hua Ma cave, and then to the Thac Bac Silver Waterfall. If you take the day hike, it finishes either in the same village or at the park rangers guesthouse where you will be picked up by your car and taken back to the homestay.

Ba Be national park moderate and hard treks last approximately 3-4 days, taking you to several travel highlights including Cam Thuong village, Ba Be Lakes, Dau Dang Waterfalls, Ban Tau village, Tua Ban village, Bo Lu village…On these Ba Be national park trekking itineraries you spend two or three nights at local home (homestay) before getting back to the main road for your next destination.

There is also a two-day trek which is even more challenging as it has lots of up and downhill climbs. You can start the tour from either Pac Ngoi village or Ba Be guest house hiking uphill to Coc Toc village, and then to Na Nghe village where you will meet up with the Dao Tien. The next day, you follow a small hiking trail, go through the forest to Nam Dai village and then Dau Dang waterfall. Then take the boat trip to get back to the main road.

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FAQ

What is Ba Be National Park known for?

Ba Be National Park is known for its stunning natural beauty, including Ba Be Lake, which is the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. The park is famous for its lush forests, limestone karsts, and diverse wildlife.

How do I get to Ba Be National Park from Hanoi?

To get to Ba Be National Park from Hanoi, you can take a bus or hire a private car. The journey takes around 4-5 hours by road. It’s a scenic drive through the countryside, and you’ll pass through rural villages on the way.

What activities can I do in Ba Be National Park?

In Ba Be National Park, you can enjoy activities such as hiking through the jungle, taking boat trips on the lake to explore caves and waterfalls, cycling around the park, and visiting ethnic minority villages to learn about their culture.

Is there accommodation available in Ba Be National Park?

Yes, there are various accommodation options in and around Ba Be National Park. You can find guesthouses, homestays, and even traditional stilt houses in local villages, providing an authentic experience.

When is the best time to visit Ba Be National Park?

The best time to visit Ba Be National Park is during the dry season, which typically runs from October to April. During this time, the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities, and the landscapes are at their most vibrant.

Do you still have any questions about hiking in Ba Be national park that you want to ask us? Is there anything you think I should discuss about Ba Be national park trek that we left out… that we should include in future updates to this article?

Just visit our FAQ page or leave a comment with your questions and we’ll write you back with a response just as soon as we possibly can.

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