Ta Xua Cloud Trail
Ta Xua, Son La, Vietnam
A sunrise cloud-sea loop over Dolphin Rock and the ancient tea forest
Overview
This is the Ta Xua 'starter' loop MONT recommends for a first visit to Bac Yen. From the commune centre (1,520 m) a narrow concrete lane climbs steadily for 3 km to Dolphin Rock – the slab that juts into thin air where the sea of clouds rolls beneath your feet from November to March. From there the route turns onto an earthen singletrack traversing the hillside, passes the 'Lonely Tree' and descends to Be village, home to Shan Tuyet tea trees two to three centuries old. Phone signal is good throughout, drinks stalls are frequent and nothing is technical, but the altitude and the pre-dawn cold (0–5 °C in winter) earn it respect.
- Elevation gain
- +335 m
- Elevation loss
- −334 m
- Max altitude
- 1,814 m
- Min altitude
- 1,517 m
- Completions
- 2
- Trail Pack owners
- 0
Route
146 GPS pointsKm 0–3.4: 1.5 m-wide concrete lane climbing a steady 8–10 %; motorbikes use it, so keep right. Km 3.4–5.8: broad dirt singletrack traversing north-west, a few airy moments with the drop on your left but no hands required. Km 5.8–7.6: descent through pine and maize fields into Be village – slick in fog. Km 7.6–9.4: village road back to the commune centre.
Waypoints
- km 0.0Ta Xua commune centreStart1519 m
Park at your homestay; breakfast stalls open from 5:30 am.
- km 0.3Ta Xua pho stallFood1536 m
- km 3.4Dolphin RockViewpoint1790 m
Main cloud-sea viewpoint. Crowded 6–7:30 am.
- km 4.1Pass-top drinks stallWater1807 m
Open 6 am–5 pm in high season.
- km 5.8The Lonely TreeViewpoint1644 m
- km 7.6Be village – ancient tea forestVillage1551 m
200–300-year-old Shan Tuyet tea trees; ask before entering gardens.
- km 9.4Ta Xua commune centreFinish1520 m
Elevation
About 420 m of climbing, nearly all in the first 3.5 km. High point 1,815 m on the ridge behind Dolphin Rock. Average climbing grade 9 %; the drop into Be village touches 18 % in places.
Weather
Cloud season (Nov–Mar) is dry with 0–8 °C dawns and 15–20 °C middays. April to October brings heavy rain and low cloud that kills the view. Wind is strong on Dolphin Rock – stay back from the edge for photos.
How to get there
From Hanoi take a sleeper bus to Bac Yen town (5–6 h, about 250,000 ₫), then a motorbike taxi or rented bike up to Ta Xua (15 km of pass road, 45 min). Homestays in the commune centre rent motorbikes for 150,000 ₫/day.
Water sources
Drinks stalls at km 0, km 4.1 (top of the pass) and in Be village. No potable streams on the route – 1.5 litres is enough.
- km 4.1Pass-top drinks stallOpen 6 am–5 pm in high season.
Food
Pho and five-colour sticky rice at the commune centre from 5:30 am. For lunch try thang co stew or black chicken at a Be village homestay (order ahead through your host).
- km 0.3Ta Xua pho stall
Camping
Wild camping is not allowed around Dolphin Rock. Homestays in the centre cost 150,000–350,000 ₫ a night; a few Be village families let you pitch in their tea garden for 50,000 ₫.
Safety
The main risks are the slippery rock edge at Dolphin Rock when it is crowded, and getting cold while waiting for clouds in the wind. Motorbikes share the first 3 km of concrete. No leeches and few snakes at this altitude.
Emergency
Save the local contacts before you lose signal. Tell someone your route and turnaround time.
Best season
November to March, ideally on clear days after light rain. Cloud-sea probability peaks two to three days after a cold front arrives.
Equipment
Headlamp (you start in the dark), windshell, thin gloves and an insulating layer for the wait at the viewpoint. Trail shoes with grip for the dirt descent to Be village.
Trail reports
No open reports. Be the first to report a condition change.
Reviews
- KLPhạm Khánh LinhTrail Expert25 Aug 2026
Săn mây thành công lần đầu
Đi sau đợt không khí lạnh 2 ngày như hướng dẫn – biển mây dày như bông. Đường dễ, có quán nước ở đỉnh đèo. Rừng chè bản Bẹ rất yên bình.
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Nearby trails
Ta Xua Dinosaur Spine
Ta Xua · Son La
- Distance
- 19.2 km
- Elevation
- +1,413 m
- Time
- 6–9 h