Pu Ta Leng Mountain

3,049m (10,003 ft)

This is a 70 km (43.5 mi) hike that takes between three and six days depending on your fitness level, how fast you hike, and where you start the hike.

This is a long trek with some challenging terrain. It is best suited to advanced hikers.

The trek involves crossing rivers, navigating bamboo forests and dense mist, as well as sometimes steep, slippery, and rocky terrain. There is a mixture of vegetation, from rhododendrons and forests to cliffs and moss. The trail undulates, leading you up and down steep sections.

The trail starts off fairly flat, with rocks and tree roots to climb over. It then starts to increase in gradient as the hike progresses. For the first 700m – 1,000m (2,296.59 ft – 3,280.84 ft ), the trail makes its way through a dense rainforest, with trees often blocking the way.

From about 1,500m (4,921.26 ft) the forest opens up a bit with a magnificent view of Bach Moc Luong, and Pu Xi Lung (which are also part of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range), as well as azaleas if it is the correct season. There is a waypoint at 1,500m (4,921.26 ft).

From 2,400m (7874. ft) it starts to get quite steep, and the real climbing begins. Some people only start the hike at this point. The forest opens up even more, and you can see the rhododendrons. There is a campsite at 2,400m (7,874. ft).

You’ll cross streams on the sections between 2,400m (7,874. ft) and 2,900m (9,514.436 ft).

Around 2,900m (9,514.436 ft) you’ll see the vegetation transform into a towering, dense bamboo forest.

The summit is at 3,049m (10003 ft).

When descending the trail, you’ll pass the same 2,400m (7,874. ft) mark where the camp is, but from there, it either goes downhill towards Ta Leng Village (this is easier than the trip up) or back the way you came, depending on the choice of the hiker.

If going the Ta Leng route you’ll then go down to 1,800m (5,905.5 ft), where hikers can rest for the night and then finish off the hike by ending in Ta Leng the next day.

It rains a lot throughout the year on Pu Ta Leng, and the temperatures are also fairly consistently warm. The temperatures up the mountain are around 10°C- 15°C (50°F – 59°F) in the early morning and at night. During the day, the temperatures vary between 15°C and 35°C (50°F and 95°F).

The months with the most rainy days are February through to October with June, July, and August having rain almost every day, falling as torrential downpours. This period also overlaps with the hottest months of the year – May to October with the lows varying between 20°C and 23°C(68°F and 73.4°F ) and the highs varying between 30°C and 35°C (86°F and 95°F).

The drier months are November, December, and January – sometimes extending into February, although it may still rain during this period. November is the best month to attempt the trek, as it has the fewest rainy days in the entire year. The temperature is also relatively mild in November, as the cooler months for this region are between November and April, with lows varying between 11°C and 18°C (51.8 °F and 64.4°F )and the highs varying between 25°C and 32°C (77°F and 89.6°F ).

Hiking shoes and poles are recommended for this trek. The terrain is challenging, and the trek is long. Rain gear is also essential as the area is known to be rainy almost all year with spot showers occurring at all times of the year. Camping equipment will also be needed.

There is water available for most of the way whether in the “dry” season or the wet season, as it rains almost all year in this area. There are multiple streams where hikers can get water.

All food however must be brought along by the hikers or porters.

There are no manmade shelters in which to sleep, but there are areas where hikers camp. Some of the nights are spent in small villages along the way.

A guide is necessary as the trail can be challenging to follow.

Porters are also necessary as it is a long trek and lots of supplies must be brought with. You may not need to book them separately though- your guides may be able to arrange for that.

It is important to get permission from the local authorities to do the climb before embarking on the trek. Your guide may be able to help you with this as well.

Local guides can be hired in Sapa, Ta Leng village, or even Lai Chau City.

This trek will take at least a few days of planning. Pu Ta Leng is located in the Lao Cai province, 20km (12.4 mi) Northeast of Lai Chau City, which is 500km (310.7 mi) away from Hanoi. The closest village is Ta Leng village.

Most hikers travel to Ta Leng to start the hike, though some start the hike in the village called Sapa, which is near Lai Chau City.

To get to the starting point hikers will have to fly to Hanoi, and then catch a bus or a taxi, or hire a motorbike from Hanoi to Lai Chau City.

From there, to get to Ta Leng village in Tam Duong District or Sapa (Depending on where they want to start hiking), one goes to the HW4D and follows the highway northwards. The distance from Lai Chau City to the base of Pu Ta Leng is only 5-7km (3-4.3 mi ). Some people hike this stretch.

Because it is such a long and challenging trek it is advised not to go alone. Hiring a guide is especially important as there are many places where it is easy to lose your way on this trail.