Hiking In Cat Ba National Park: A Detailed Guide

Overview

• Address: Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong

• Opening hours: 8 AM - 6 PM

• Ticket price: 80,000 VND/person

Cat Ba National Park is located on Cat Ba island, about 160km east of Hanoi. This place has a natural area of ​​up to 17,000 hectares including forest and sea areas.

Cat Ba National Park is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. There are about 58 species of mammals, 55 species of reptiles, 274 species of insects and more than 200 species of birds. In addition, you can also explore the rich marine ecosystem with beaches, bays, limestone mountains, and about 1,500 underwater creatures.

UNESCO recognizes Cat Ba National Park as a world biosphere reserve

The forest ecosystem is also unique with mangrove forests, primary forests and unique coniferous forests. You can also explore the mysterious Trung Trang cave, which goes through the mountain more than 300 meters long with beautiful limestone stalactites.

Best Time To Visit

From April to November every year is considered the ideal time to travel to Cat Ba National Park. At this time, the air is extremely cool and sunny, favorable for sightseeing and scenic hiking. 

Best time for hiking in Cat Ba National Park

Hiking Trails in Cat Ba National Park

There are 3 hiking trails in Cat Ba National Park that you can choose from.

Cat Ba hiking map

Kim Giao Forest - Ngu Lam Peak

• Distance: 1.5km

• Duration: 1 ½ hour round trip

Map of Kim Giao Forest - Ngu Lam Peak route

This is the most popular trail inside the national park and the one you should take if you're short on time. You will pass through areas such as the butterfly garden, zoo, botanical garden, and natural forest on limestone mountains. After that, it will lead you to the forest of endangered Kim Giao trees.

Kim Giao forest in Cat Ba National Park

The trail continues to Ngu Lam Peak. From the top, you can see the island's beautiful mountains. The trail is three kilometers long both ways and you can complete it in an hour and a half to two hours with a little time at the top for photos.

A tourist group conquered Ngu Lam Peak

National Park Headquarters - Trung Trang Cave

• Distance: 1.2km

• Duration: 1 hour round trip

This is a short walk from the headquarters park to the cave area. Trung Trang Cave is typical of the cave system on the Cat Ba archipelago with a wide cave and natural stone works of art.

Beautiful stalactites inside Trung Trang Cave

Trung Trang Cave is a 300 meter long cave with many impressive stalactites. It was used as a medical center during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. Visiting Trung Trang cave does not take much time so you can combine it with the route to Ngu Lam Peak.

National Park Headquarters - Ao Ech - Viet Hai

• Distance: 14km

• Duration: 4 to 6 hours round trip

This is the most difficult and also the most attractive trail in the national park. You need a lot of time to choose this hiking trail. You will have to travel a distance of 14km through different forest ecosystems. 

An interesting tree forms the path

The first two kilometers of the road are quite flat and spacious. After that, the road to the top of May Bau is narrower and more bumpy, there are stone steps, and the forest cover increases. The next distance to the top of Ang Phay increases in difficulty, you will have to squeeze through trees, the path is narrow, and easy to get lost. 

After about 2 hours of climbing uphill, you will reach Ao Ech, a beautiful and spacious flooded willow forest. Ao Ech is located halfway up the mountain, at an altitude of 80 meters above sea level, the pond's water is clear enough to see the bottom. 

Small perennial Ao Ech in the center part of Cat Ba

This pond has an area of ​​3.2 hectares and is the only source of fresh water on Cat Ba island. From the bottom of the pond, thousands of Va Nuoc Trees rise - plants that are only found in Frog Pond (Ao Ech) and are not found anywhere else.

Viet Hai ancient village is located deep in the core area of ​​Cat Ba National Park

After stopping at Ao Ech, you need to go another 4km to reach Viet Hai ancient village. This distance is relatively difficult because you have to climb up rocky outcrops. On this road, you can visit Thung Cave - a cave through a mountain. 

Finally, you will reach the ancient village of Viet Hai, a hundred-year-old village hidden in the core area of ​​Cat Ba National Park. 

Tips to Hiking

• Wear breathable clothing and hiking shoes: This is necessary if you choose a long hiking route.

• Bring drinks and snacks: You won't find any shops if you go deep into the forest until you reach the end. 

• Take a photo of the map: To make sure you don't get lost, save a photo of the route map and hire a local guide if possible. 

• Responsible for the environment: Any behavior that harms the general environment here can be punished.

• Choose a reasonable departure time: For the route to Viet Hai village, you should start early so you can return before dark if you do not intend to sleep here. 

For a related discussion, head to our article on hiking in Vietnam!

Hiking in Cat Ba National Park is a great experience to relax and enjoy the scenery. Beautiful roads leading to fascinating places will help your spirit become better. If you need more information about other locations or Vietnam tours, contact the NEW team now.