Da Lat Highland Circuit — Vietnam's Alpine GardenCity.
Distance
235 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
950 m
Da Lat Highland Circuit — Vietnam's Alpine Garden City.
A dramatic loop from Da Lat on the Central Highlands plateau: descend 1,500 m through the Ngoan Muc Pass to the Cham coast at Phan Rang, then climb back through pine forests and flower farms to the city known as the Paris of Vietnam. One of the great road descents in Southeast Asia.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance235 km
Days1
Total climb950 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyChallenging
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The route.
Da LatStart · Start from Da Lat market. Fuel up here — the descent to Phan Rang has no stations for 90 km. Morning mist on the plateau makes the first hour ethereal.
Datanla WaterfallPhoto Spot · Tiered waterfall 7 km south of Da Lat accessible via a short jungle trail. The road narrows and the pine forest deepens just beyond here — the switchbacks begin.
Ngoan Muc Pass SummitMountain Pass · The crest of the descent — 1,200 m elevation with views over the dry lowlands and Cham Tower plain below. The road drops 900 m in the next 30 km through tight, well-surfaced hairpins. Watch for trucks on blind corners.
Phan Rang — Thap ChamRestaurant · Dry coastal city famous for grapes, dragon fruit and Cham culture. Refuel and eat at the market — banh can (rice cakes) and goat hot pot are local specialties before the climb back up.
Po Klong Garai Cham TowersScenic Point · Three 13th-century Cham brick towers on a volcanic basalt hill overlooking the city — one of the best-preserved Cham temple complexes in Vietnam. 20-minute stop.
Ninh Son DistrictFuel Stop · Small market town on the return climb route through the Kinh hill country. Top up fuel here for the final ascent back to Da Lat.
Da LatEnd · Return to Da Lat as the evening fog rolls in off the plateau. The night flower market near Xuan Huong Lake is worth a stop — Da Lat supplies 80% of Vietnam's cut flowers.
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