Trekking has long been a popular tourist activity. In Vietnam, trekking is increasingly developed for nature lovers who want to experience things on foot.
Therefore, Sapa’s terrain and climate are particularly suitable for those who want to travel while exercising.
Coming to Sapa, you cannot ignore visiting the village on trekking tour to explore nature as well as the majestic beauty of lush green fields, mountains and waterfalls.
You can also combine it with a night at a local’s place. Trekking is a type of exploration and discovery of the unique culture of ethnic minorities. To have more fun on your trekking trip, you must learn about the village, customs, do’s and don’ts while visiting these villages.
Sapa Trekking Overview
While hiking in Sapa, you will have the opportunity to explore the majestic beauty of green fields, mountains, waterfalls… and discover the unique culture of ethnic minorities.
Most visitors to Sapa should spend at least 2 days exploring Sapa. They can either spend 2 days trekking, or one day trekking, the other for a free day, or take the cable car to the top of Fansipan.
The normal trek is around 12 km per day. If you find it difficult, you can choose a shorter trekking route or use a car or motorbike to return to Sapa town.
Some people choose to book all services separately and book a tour guide upon arrival. It’s cheaper than booking a package tour, however, you may need a little luck to get a good tour guide. It is best to book a tour package that includes a guide, transfer to and from Hanoi, accommodation and some meals.
You can choose to stay with a homestay, this is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the traditions and customs of the Sapa people. Please note that the homestay is basic, so consider this before choosing to stay in a homestay in Sapa.
The Best Hiking Trails in Sapa
Cat Cat – Sin Chai
This trail is more of a countryside stroll than a hike, it is only a 30 minute walk from Sapa town, Cat Cat Village is the closest and most popular destination. While the village sees a lot of travelers, the walk is beautiful – especially early in the morning or on a clear late summer afternoon. It’s a great way to start a trip to Sapa.
Coming here, you will be impressed by the magnificent waterfall at the entrance to the village, the giant water wheels. Further on for about 4km, the walks around Sin Chai are generally quiet, less crowded, and even more beautiful. You will be pleasantly surprised to see how charming the area was around Sin Chai village – despite other developments in Sapa.
Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van
Follow this route, we start hiking through the Muong Hoa valley to the village of Y Linh Ho, home to the Black Hmong minorities.
It’s an easy, moderate trail that still gives you great views of this area. The hike initially follows a mountain road out of Sapa, then descends into a deep valley crossing the Ta Van River, winding through the rice fields and sprawling house of Lao Chai and Ta Van villages.
From the road you will have absolutely stunning views of the mountains across the river valley as well as the villages nestled in the valley itself for the duration of the trek.
The trek between Lao Chai and Ta Van is a particularly picturesque and less commercialized walk than the trek to Cat Cat. Finally, the trail crosses the river again and joins the road.
Ta Phin – Silver Waterfall – Tram Ton
This trail is easier to get as you can come here by car or bike and the view will be more of a combination with the hill tribe village and nature wonders.
Ta Phin village is about 17 km northeast of Sa Pa city center. The road to Ta Phin village is extremely beautiful, with the sloping mountain side of the terraced green fields, many flowers s ‘fulfilling on both sides. The village is home to ethnic minorities, including two ethnic groups Red Dao and Hmong.
Silver Waterfall is popular among hikers which you can see from the main road, located 11 km from Sapa town. It is a mandatory stop for local tour groups and can get very busy.
The falls are magnificent but probably only warrant a visit if time permits and in conjunction with a visit to Tram Ton Pass 3km further down the road. Tram Ton Pass is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam located 18 km north of Sapa. On a clear day, the views are spectacular.
Don’t let the fog in Sapa put you off. Conditions on the pass are often different from those in the city. The temperature may also rise a bit on the pass as you move away from the cooler air of Sapa.
The best time to go trekking in Sapa
There are two periods that are considered the best time to go trekking in Sapa, from March to May andSeptember to November. During this period, the weather is stable with sunny days and cool nights.
In March and early April, it’s still a little cold but the sky is clear and blue. In May and June, there were some light rains which filled the rice terraces with water. With beautiful sunshine, the rice terraces are sparkling mirrors reflecting the cloudy blue sky. There are lots of clouds, sunshine and the weather is calm although a little hot during the day.
In September, you can enjoy the cool breeze, a little less rain and a chance to see a beautiful transformation of nature – green terraced fields turn golden. In October and November, the weather is cooler and foggier when the sun rises; it shines through the clouds and illuminates the mountain range, and gives you a wonderful view of this area.
The northern rainy season is from June to August and the peak time is July and August and it goes hand in hand with the weather in Sapa. Rains often appear with storms and create a flood season which not only affects your Sapa trekking but also results in a potentially high-risk situation.
From December to February, the weather is very cold and dark, dense fog makes visibility lower. The temperature is always below 10 degrees Celsius, sometimes it can drop below 0 degrees Celsius, and you might experience snowfall in Sapa.
