Bach Ma Mountain

1,448m (4,750.6 ft)

There are two options of trails to hike Bach Ma Peak. The first option is a challenging hiking trail, and the second is a road that leads up to the summit called Summit Road. This road is about 20km (12.4 mi) long and will take roughly 6-7 hours to reach the summit and 4-5 hours for the descent. Most people use this road up to the Bach Ma, camping just below the summit and descending the mountain the following day.

There are two trails that can be followed to get to the top of Bach Ma. The first follows challenging rugged terrain up through the forest, crossing rivers and climbing step ladders. This trail is not often used to get to the summit.

The main ‘trail’ used to reach the summit of Bach Ma is a road that is used for driving people to the top of the mountain. It is a 20km (12.4 mi) concrete road with a 17km (10.5 mi) ascent and no shade for the first 6km (3.7 mi). There is also very little shade for the remainder of the hike. This can make it unbearably hot in the sun.

There is a place where hikers can camp in a clearing just below the summit, and there are also guest houses here. From this point, some ambiguous trails lead off the road and up to the summit through the forest. They are not clearly marked.

After spending the night, you can descend the mountain the same way you came up.

Bach Ma National Park has warm and humid weather for most of the year. It would be best to do the hike in the dry season when it is cooler and there is less rain. The ideal month for cooler drier weather is February.

The warmest temperatures are from April to September, with lows averaging 22˚C (71.6˚F) and highs averaging 33˚C (91.4˚F). The hottest month is May. The cooler months are from October to March with the lows averaging 18˚C (64.4˚F) and the highs averaging 24 ˚C (75.2˚F).

The most rain takes place from May to November, with precipitation ranging from 144mm to 375mm per month. The wettest month is October. Be prepared for torrential downpours at this time of year.

The drier period of the year is from December to April with the monthly precipitation ranging from 32mm to 102mm. The driest month is February.

Boots with a proper grip are important for this hike, as it can get very slippery and dangerous if it rains or if the trail is wet from recent rain. A hat is imperative since there is little to no shade along the road.

If you go on the rugged trail, it is important to wear long sleeves to protect yourself from leeches and scratches.

There is water available at the entrance of the park and at one or two trickling waterfalls about 10km (6.2 mi) along the trail, and again at the camp & guest houses just below the summit. Food can also be purchased at the guest houses; however, it can be pricey.

A guide is not necessary or required for this hike when taking the Summit Road trail. There is, however, a fee to be paid at the park entrance.

If you are taking the rugged route up the mountain, however, a guide is recommended, as it is easy to get lost with many trails crossing over one another.

Bach Ma is located in central Vietnam, about 700km (435 mi) South of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

The park is situated halfway between two major cities: Hue and Da Nang. It takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive from Da Nang to Bach Ma, and 1 hour and 5 minutes from Hue.

To get there you can rent a motorbike from either of these cities or catch a bus to Cau Hai, which is the village at the foot of Bach Ma. It is a 3km (1.8 mi) walk from where the tourist busses drop you, to the park entrance. You can catch a taxi for the last 3km (1.8 mi) or get a local bus to drop you at Cau Hai Market, which is only a 200m (656 ft) walk along the road from the park entrance.

There have been no reports of safety concerns in Bach Ma, however, it is not recommended to go alone, especially if you’re planning to take the rugged trail as it is easy to get lost on this one. It is always best to have someone with you in case of an emergency.

It is easy to become dehydrated if you’re walking up the Summit Road trail as there is almost no shade. Make sure to bring enough water for this hike.