Son Tra Mountain (Monkey Mountain – Ban Co Peak)

670m (2,198 ft)

From Bai Bac Beach (also called North Beach), it takes about two hours to summit Ban Co peak on Son Tra Mountain, via Monkey Pass. This route is about 7.3km (4.5 mi) one way. However, the hike can start anywhere along the road that leads to the top of the peak.

The trail follows a narrow, paved road called Monkey Pass all the way to a parking area very close to the top of Ban Co Peak – you can take a scooter/ motorbike up to the parking area or choose to walk up this road. From the parking area, there are concrete steps and a path that leads up to the summit.

The road, which is carved into the side of the mountain, has a gradual incline and is steep in parts. As you get higher in elevation, the view of the coastline and the ocean gets better and better.

The road looks the same the whole way up. While there is lots of vegetation and trees on either side of the road, the road itself offers almost no shade for the entire journey. There are sections where the vegetation has started to encroach on the road or trees and rocks have fallen to block parts of the road, so only scooters/motorcycles and people can pass through.

On the Son Tra peninsula, the dry season is from January to July. The average temperature at this time is around 28˚C-29˚C (82.4˚F – 84.2˚F), with the highest temperatures being in June and July at about 34˚C-36˚C (93.2˚F – 96.8˚F). The best time to climb would most likely be around February to May, as this is when the temperature is still fairly moderate, there is little rain, and the scorching heat of June and July has not yet arrived.

August to December is the wet season. The average temperature at this time is around 21˚C-22˚C (70˚F – 71.6˚F ), with the lowest temperatures being in January at about 15˚C (59˚F).

Typhoon season is from October to December. In these months one can expect very heavy rain and strong winds. So, it is not recommended to attempt the hike during this time.

Good shoes are recommended, but no other specific hiking equipment is needed. The trail/road is shadeless so bring lots of sunscreen and a hat if you’re walking up.

Since most of the trail is just a road, up which most people just drive, there is no food or water available along the way. But food, snacks, and drinks can be purchased on the Son Tra Peninsula before embarking on the trek.

Hikers make sure to bring lots of water as it is an extremely hot trek, with no shade and no water available on the trail.

You do not need a guide to do this hike. The trail follows a paved road and is very clear. As long as you know the way beforehand you should not get lost. There is also no fee to do the trail, but there is a parking fee for scooters at the parking lot at the top of the mountain.

Son Tra Mountain is located on the Son Tra peninsula. The base of the mountain is a forty-minute drive from Central Vietnam’s biggest city, Da Nang.

To get to the mountain, one can fly to Da Nang International Airport and find accommodation there. To get the starting point one can catch a taxi or hire a scooter or car from Da Nang to the Son Tra peninsula, and then either to North Beach or any other chosen starting point.

This trail is popular and has hikers every day but is not always crowded. There are no specific safety concerns for single travellers or women.