Ba Ra Mountain (White Virgin Mountain)

736m (2,415 ft)

There are 1767 steps to climb to reach the summit of Ba Ra. The distance is about 1 km (0.6 miles) until you reach the summit, and it takes about an hour up and down.

If starting at the bottom of the mountain (at the traffic circle) rather than at the entrance gate and returning via the paved road rather than by the steps, the road is about 3km (2 miles) downwards from the summit. This route takes roughly two hours in total.

To reach the summit of Ba Ra one must conquer a long stairway, almost completely covered in leaves and surrounded by forest. The stairway is steep and not well maintained. There are places where branches and bamboo have fallen onto the trail.

Some people start the hike at the bottom of the hill to extend the hike. This starts on a wide paved road on a gentle incline with lots of vegetation on either side. There are many cashew trees here.

The road starts to get steeper as you get closer to the entrance gate for the Ba Ra hiking trail. There is a parking lot at the entrance and usually some guards.

From here you find your way to the stairs and straight up to the summit, where there is a magnificent view and the temple.

If you do not return down the steps, you can go down the main road which looks much the same, with forest on either side, lots of interesting plants, and beautiful views.

The average temperature throughout the year is quite hot, averaging between 31˚C (87 ˚F) and 35˚C (95 ˚F).

The recommended time of year to climb is between December and March when there is the least rainfall. Particularly January and December are ideal because the temperature is slightly cooler than the other months.

The rainy season is between April and November. In these months there is between 80mm and 170mm (3 – 7 inches) of rain per month, with the rainiest months being September and October. It is not recommended to do the trail in the rainy season as the steps could become slippery potentially making it dangerous.

A pair of comfortable sneakers or walking shoes should suffice for this hike.

There are no man-made facilities on the trail. However, water and snacks can be purchased from town before embarking on the hike.

No guides or porters are required for this hike, as the route is clearly marked by the ascending stairway and road.

The mountain is not always open to the public, so if you want to summit Ba Ra, you may need to contact the management team in advance to ask for access to the trail.

Ba Ra Mountain is located in Phuoc Long Town, Binh Phuoc province. This is roughly 180km (81 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City. The starting point is easily accessible by road from Ho Chi Minh City. However, it is a 4-5 hour drive depending on traffic.

This trail does not see many hikers, so it is not recommended to go alone. There is very little risk for injuries though as it is not deep in the mountains and is fairly close to a town.