We would like to do this loop next April, and we would like to know how many days you would recommend to do it. These houses offer simple but comfortable accommodation (usually a mattress on the floor under a mosquito net), and good, home-cooked food. Either way its a pretty long ride (at least two days), but these are the roads that are generally in good condition. status date description; Jul 16, 2022 @ 12:08am. The top of the pass is often shrouded in a thin mist, which allows sunlight to seep through, creating an ethereal atmosphere. Hi there, wonderful info I have to say big BRAVO for your efforts. A night without any food is very cheap: from 60,000-80,000vnd ($3-$4). It makes it possible for a less experienced rider like me to still make this very special travel experience. The area is either deforested or has undergone severe fires. The path continues to loop around, coming up to a barbed wire fence leading you back to the trail head. A pop of color on the oak tree or in the sky reminds me that the forest will again bloom with color with a little rain. My question is simple: how long did it take you to do this trip? I thought it was a fun adventure. This hike had an unmarked prize! But you may have to negotiate for a while in order to keep it for an overnight trip up to Moc Chau. Yet we lost track and n the end of connector and ended up with climbing a hill. But this is always just a chance you take. Thanks for the tomb rider guide tip. Love your website. In summary, the Aguirre Springs Recreation Area does not regard the Indian Hollow Trail as an active trail and they are not encouraging day hikers to trudge through the middle of the new group camping site. Drive 700 yards down Fire Service Road 50 and park to your left at the entrance of the Pine Loop trail. When I last rode it (2018), the section of QL15 between Mai Chau and the Co Luong intersection was desperately narrow and inadequate for the increasing volume of traffic and trucks loaded with bamboo that regularly ply it. Many sections of the road still see little traffic and much of it passes through some fantastic scenery. Road QL217 meanders along river valleys and over forested mountains all the way to Quan Son town (where there are a couple of O.K nh nghguest houses) and on to the Lao border gate of Na Meo. Thanks for the update I was there recently and am currently re-writing the entirety of this guide. There have been some reports of bad road conditions on QL15 south of Mai Chau. Hi there, Although this particular stump had me thinking someone could turn this into a decorative art piece with a little ingenuity. Its far less touristy than Mai Chau, and this is the kind of landscape and living where nature appears to be entirely benevolent, crops plentiful, concrete a rare sight, and people happy and hospitable that most foreign travellers to rural Vietnam dream about but never find. Wow, it is indeed a nice place. To the north is the heavily farmed and populated Red River Delta, to the east is the sea, to the south is the poor, rural province of Nghe An, and to the west is the mountainous border with Laos. Old Lower Brookbank #88. Oak Hollow has electricity and water only. This post was last updated 4 years ago. (Sorry if this question has already been asked!) On the main street there are a handful of local rice and noodle eateries that serve good, hearty dishes in an honest, rustic, no-frills environment. Based on our data, the trail is graded as Medium. Had a nice sunny dry day for it, but up there with Ha Giang and Phuong Nga in terms of beauty. This loop trail touches two main trails: Indian Hollow and Pine Tree, you start walking at the trailhead of the Indian Hollow located to your right in the Aguirre Springs Group Area (near the point: 32.37237, -106.55439). Co Luong junction is a grim little place, but its also the turn-off for several excellent roads on this loop. We had no issues bringing a Vietnamese bike with blue card (not registered in our name) through the Na Meo border into Laos. There are also a couple of good places to stay near road QL15: Mai Chau Villas is a mid-range resort with thatched bungalows, and Mai Chau Family Homestay is a wooden house on stilts run by a nice family. Beautiful trail. Also, Ive seen a few comments about Muong Lat, am I right that you need a permit to stay overnight there? There is a large parking area off to your left. Clearly marked. first of all thanks so much for this awesome website. I was looking forward to doing the DT520 as its in your top25 roads and after riding it I can completely see why. Exit Pu Luong Nature Reserve at Canh Nang town and head southwest on road QL217 as it briefly skirts the muddy banks of the Ma River before turning westward for Quan Son. Pine Loop and Heber Hollow. On the whole I think this is a good, if challenging, cycling route. Great morning walk and sipping coffee kind of trail. Its a long but gorgeous one- or two-day ride out to the Lao border on twisting mountain passes to Muong Lat, and then back again along the Ma River valley, before rejoining road QL15 near Mai Chau. We tried to make it to the peak but there were signs saying no trespassing near the end of one of the trails. It depends, really: if the sun is out, even in December, it can still be very nice and warm. On the way to Ban Hieu, its really muddy and extremly slippery. How long is it from Hanoi to Mai Chau, public transport? Head out on this 5.1-km circular trail near Heber-Overgaard, Arizona. One little side note: parking is not well marked. Rest of the road is known and just like your guide. lot of mudd and stones so you cannot really enjoy the scenery. Nearby, there are a couple of waterfalls located deep in the mountains and forests. Great! Last review before we tried it was April 2021- starts out on Pine Tree Trail and your supposed to pick up a connecting trail to get to Indian Hollow Trail. Huge piles of horse poop on the trails, to the point where someone must be raking it into the middle of the trail?? Cant recall where we went but had a place to sleep. Simply epic views and being on an off-road bike, I found TONS of single track trails to ride. Please understand that camping is an outdoor experience; therefore, we do not give refunds or credits for weather or natural conditions. I cant open the Limestone Loop maps. Sorry, that is not really a helpful comment, but it was something I wanted to say. Once you get a taste for it you can smell the tea leaves all over the northern provinces. View All Results. Then the next day rode 70km back to Mai Chau along the Ma River. Took the maze trail and pooped around to ale it a little longer. The width means that either side of the river is flat, arable land, covered in a blanket of rice. This is largely due to the trucks that ply this route, transporting bamboo to and from the bamboo factories on the banks of the Ma River. Tate Barn stands as a sentry at the southern end of the park. However, because its the rainy season, if theres been heavy rains in the mountains, landslides are common and can block roads for hours. Its just a disaster now in my opinion . I forgot to give an advice for the people who wants to spend one night in Lang Chanh with a tight budget in my last post. Easy hike, pretty all around as I love trees so much; however, not a whole lot of changes of beauty or anything extravagant so I have it 3 stars . This trail can be completed in approx 0 hrs 38 mins. From Mai Chau youll need to take QL6 to Hoa Binh and then head north towards Phu Tho and Tuyen Quang to join QL2 to Ha Giang thats a long ride but its worth it to get to the Extreme North Loop. It was very pretty, clearly marked, easy there-and-back trail. There are lots of excellent walks to be had in the surrounding countryside, the homestay hosts are very friendly and hospitable, their home-cooked food is extraordinary, and the price for room and board is very reasonable. Sadly, at least an hour or two outside of Hanoi, the trucks, dust, and industrial estates start to reappear, making the ride fairly unpleasant, but theres not much you can do about that. Thanks again! It was very pretty, clearly marked, easy there-and-back trail. Bnh had spent his life in the army. Some beautiful bright red Indian paintbrush around to add little pops of color! As I was losing daylight chatting with the officials I told them I would leave because I now had to make it to the next town before sundown. Either way, at the, Back on the main road heading due north there are a couple more one-way side-route options. In a few months, a friend and I are going to spend 35 days riding the country from South to North. I hope they finish upgrading the roads soon. Another great side route to an equally impressive waterfall is to head a bit further north of Quang Duc Homestay and turn west on QL12B, then join a back-road leading to Mu Waterfall, which is extremely photogenic. I did this loop trail in the middle of September in a day with nice weather. Yes, I know what you mean Mai Chau is kind of a victim of its own success. Yes, there are several ways to connect Mai Chau with the Sapa area, but the most direct and reliable are either QL6 (AH13) via Son La and Dien Bien Phu, or cutting across on QL37 to meet QL32 up to Sapa via Nghia Lo. Located in the scenic Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in north central Arizona near the town of Heber, Canyon Point has a range of individual and group campsites to suit many visitors. The owners of the eatery were both octogenarians. We started in Hanoi and drove all the way to Hoi An usuing the Ho Chi minh highway. Most of the roads on the Lao Loop are now in pretty good condition, but there are still some bad patches, and heavy rainfall can cause landslides which damage the roads. The Limestone route is of particular interest. Yes, parts of the road between Ban Hieu and Lung Van intersection are very steep, but should be fine as long as your bike is in good condition. Trucks still litter the road, but a few kilometres west of the Xuan Mai crossroads, a good back-road cuts a corner off Highway QL6, thus avoiding the city of Hoa Binh. We saw some deer and wild horses, which made it worthwhile. In fact, for that 1km, its not really a road, its a bare section of sheer rock at a steep angle. Hi Tom, thanks for all your awesome posts about exploring Vietnam. The scenery was spectacular and is probably what created my love for the real Vietnam away from the cities. Its housed in a wood-and-thatch structure with access to a stream behind it for bathing. There are local guest houses (nha nghi) in all the towns on those roads for more about nha nghi see this. Nothing to write home about. These new settlements are dusty and feel like fairly unpleasant places. I have ~5 days in the North, and would like to check out the areas outside of Ha Noi. Thanks very much for sharing your experience on this route the road and price updates are very valuable information for me and for other readers. Hoa Hong makes a pleasant night stop if you left Hanoi late in the day and are running out of daylight. Thanks. We will definitely do this one again. Its June 15 now and my schedule is open until early August. The distinctive aroma has come to define the north for me. Do you know if Id be able to rent a motorbike in Mai Chau and continue riding along the Lao pass? It was very pretty, clearly marked, easy there-and-back trail. We have done Pine Loop separately, so today we decided to try Heber Hollow Trail. Maybe you have write I found somewhere you were driving with automatic or semi-automatic scooter , but I am not a bike-freakand dont know if this is a motorbike with much power ? And yes like everyone saw, horse poop throughout. The Limestone Loop is best done in 3-5 days. And thank you for the updates. See commenting etiquette for details. From here its pretty much a straight shot all the way back to the Xuan Mai junction and then east into Hanoi, thus completing the Limestone Loop. Im sure other travellers will benefit from this information. Either way, at the Lang Tom intersection you have a choice: continue straight ahead (due south) on QL15C to the forgettable town of Canh Nang at the edge of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, or turn left (due north) on several incredibly scenic (although of varying condition) back-roads to more homestays. One result of this is that the original course of the riverside road has been elevated: the old one is now submerged. This limestone loop seems to suggest otherwise (as well as the 100 km from Phong Nha to Pheo). Heber Loop South (Rating: Cat 2) Starting from the Tall Timbers Park in Heber this is a 30 mile loop through the forest . The little fawn was so curious, watching me closely as I hiked along the trail. In general, there are gas stations at fairly regular intervals, apart from the Lao Loop (Section 3). Nebo Bench Trail Provo River Parkway Bonneville Shoreline Murdock Canal Battle Creek Falls Trail But its certainly doable by bicycle and very scenic too. Road QL15C winds into Pu Luong Nature Reserve, an incredibly scenic area of mountains, fields & rivers. Please do post a comment here if you decide to ride through Muong Lat so other riders can benefit from your experience. A bucolic corner of Vietnam, the Northeast is a garden of rice fields, forests, lakes & rivers ambling through limestone corridors. Saw several of the horses. Anywhere north of Nha Trang can experience changeable conditions, and anywhere north of Danang can be pretty bad. We wanted to stay at Chau Luong Homestay, but the girl at the reception asked 400 000 vnd for one night for a room. Also, check our latest community posts for trail updates. But theres one big problem: a very short section of this road (probably less that 1km) is in atrocious condition. Great morning walk and sipping coffee kind of trail. In your opinion is there anything from this part of the country that absolutely must not be missed? Sandy and rocky terrain. I feel really lucky to have found your website. Well, winter isnt a great time for that loop because the temperatures can get quite low especially on the mountain passes. search. Rolling down the other side of the pass the views are superb you hit road DT520. Starting from Hanoi we will take section 1, then we will take section 2. By heading due north at the Lung Van intersection you eventually hit Highway QL6 (AH13), which you can take back to Mai Chau. Itisride-able if you have an appropriate bike even I managed it on my automatic Nouvo, but it was extremely difficult and unless you have a lightweight off-road bike I cant recommend it. Very difficult to stay on trail. At the top on the climb, the road plateaus, passing through a remote hamlet, before a narrow paved lane leads down to Kho Muong homestay area. Took the maze trail and pooped around to ale it a little longer. I do love the whole thing. However, I cant guarantee that. This is not a loop trail. Some horse poop. Google Maps hasnt caught up with this change yet, but it still shouldnt be difficult to follow the new road that winds along the Ma River back to QL15. Our hotel called the police when we arrived to check in to ask their permission for us to stay in the town. 520 is excellent now theyve finished repaving the whole road and its great fun to ride. Easy hike, pretty all around as I love trees so much; however, not a whole lot of changes of beauty or anything extravagant so I have it 3 stars . We could see a section of trail down slope, but there was no clear path to get to it, it would have required just blazing a trail down a steep decline. Thank you for putting together such an amazing resource. Happy to hear youve enjoyed reading my site. The concrete there is mostly potholed gravel now, I wouldnt recommend it to anyone inexperienced or two up on a scooter. We ended up just parking in the dirt area right next to the trail. Huge piles of horse poop on the trails, to the point where someone must be raking it into the middle of the trail?? We saw the bare remnants of what looked like a disused animal trail that may have been this connector once upon a time, but it was completely overgrown. Pine Hollow Trail Willow Hollow Trail Salamander Flat Trail Ridge Trail Island Meadow Trail Horse Flat Trail Lame Horse Trail Grotto Falls Trail Loafer Mountain Trail Payson Lakes: Big East Reservoir Shoreline Trail Rock Springs Trail Mt. This trail gets some traffic, but it does not have a reputation as a "go-to" trail. After speaking with them for a while they told me I could rest for a while but I would have to leave. Thanks for bringing my attention to this less known part of Vietnam, was fantastic finishing of my Saigon-Hanoi trip (I thought that after Phong Nha I saw the best parts already, but I was wrong!). Its good to know the roads are decent now. So once again, thanks for all your information! All well paved roads and perfect to drive. Did the loop as part of a tet ride. On the Ho Chi Minh Road between Ngoc Lac and Cuc Phuong National Park, look out from signs by the roadside from nem chua Thanh Ha. Or do you think the Tomb Rider route is better? Easy to get off trail. Greers Ferry Lake. Thanks for responding. If I lived around here Id use this trail as a quick exercise routine. The Best Mountain Biking Trails in Pinetop-Lakeside city region Overview Areas Trails Routes Status Reports Photos Videos Events Ride Logs More Add / Edit #1 Pine Loop Trail #2 Los Burros #3 Sawmill Connector #4 Heber Hollow #5 Country Club #6 Panorama #7 Land of the Pioneers #8 Four Springs Connector #9 CC Pat Mullen Spur #10 Panorama Short Cut They do a good beef noodle soup (ph) for breakfast and, for dinner,dn tc (ethnic minority) dishes, such as curried mountain goat meat (tht d ni) rolled in sesame seeds. It seems incredible that small, peaceful hamlets of wood-and-tile homes on stilts, like the one pictured below, are so close to the urban sprawl of the capital: its just a couple of hours ride away. The area is either deforested or has undergone severe fires. As you leave the town, turn right just after the bridge. Sorry to hear that. It's an easier bike ride on an old dirt road with better views. Yes, thats a difficult question. However, theres still some lovely countryside on QL15 to Ngoc Lac and more on the Ho Chi Minh Road, plus some bonus side routes to a couple of gorgeous waterfalls. We sat on a log to enjoy the forest breeze and solitude. Campground gates lock at 10 p.m. and reopen at 8 a.m. Firewood and ice is available at the campground office. On the southern side of the loop the roads appear to be new and in great condition. Wonderful Trail! We started packing and the police left. The 36-hole golf course has won numerous local and national awards for its good play and excellent course conditions. Hey Tom, The place is almost magical. The ql15c is in ok shape on some parts, terrible in others. I unfortunately put my ride together last minute and didnt read the comments section beforehand. Beautiful trail for the trees. I stayed at a guest house in Na Meo about five or six years ago if anyone is interested in staying there. You could take road QL12B west towards Cuc Phuong National Park and then join road QL15 south and then west towards Pu Luong and Mai Chau. Yes, Pu Luong is gorgeous. Clearly marked. Some Coverage. If biking, I recommend going just a bit further up the road to what is listed as "section line trail". This certainly helped as we did not have the extra weight of bags on the scooters. Many thanks in advance. Huge piles of horse poop on the trails, to the point where someone must be raking it into the middle of the trail?? This time with my 9 years old daughter for 12 days. this because I read about a very stipe part ? Definitely stop by if youre up in Heber. Maybe theyre bored with the borders being closed or were just trying to get some money out of us. Very nice, easy, well maintained trail. (with regard to beautiful scenery and fun roads) Thanks from a fellow motorcycle and travel enthusiast from Minnesota. After that you can either continue on the loop to Mai Chau and hit Highway QL6 back toward Hanoi (the first part out from Mai Chau is scenic) or loop back to the Ho Chi Minh Road to Hanoi instead (the section from Cam Thuy to around the Perfume Pagoda is great), but inevitably the last hour or so into Hanoi on either route is grim. Visit Website. there was no trail connecting the two trails! Wanted to update about this section. The first 50km north of Ngoc Lac is among the most scenic: it goes straight through Cuc Phuong National Park, threading through a jungle-clad limestone karst valley. Thanks for the reply once again. Dozens of beautifully situated homestays dot Pu Luong Nature Reserve: its ideal for homestay hopping. The Ho Chi Minh Road has become famous among motorcyclists. Also, please bear in mind that this guide is due an update, so I cant guarantee that all the information will be accurate. Will let you know any updates along the way of you need any? This is a popular trail for birding and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Thanh Ha, on the other hand, is only recently starting to attract attention, in particular the stunning setting of Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
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pine loop and heber hollow
