North Vietnam by Gravel Bike

The pristine northeast of Vietnam, crisscrossed with beautiful trails, can be called a land of dragons and waterfalls. The razor-like spines of its limestone mountains are known as the Dragon's Back, while the region is blessed with abundant springs and streams that plunge off lofty cliff faces, bringing life to fields and orchards cultivated by farming communities deep in jungle-cloaked valleys. A sense of wonder pervades this terrain as riders cycle its labyrinth of trails, with new discoveries around every bend.

North Vietnam by Gravel Bike is a series of connected rides, with transfers only at the beginning and end of the tour. The journey gathers in Hanoi, transfers to Bac Kan, gateway to the northern mountains, and cycles to Ba Be Lake, Vietnam's largest body of freshwater. Subsequent rides bring riders to remote indigenous villages and up near the Phia Oac summit, staying at an organic farm, then on to Thong Nong and Pac Bo, where Ho Chi Minh and his guerrillas were based in the 1940s.

Roads and trails on a plateau near the Chinese border lead to the Quay Son River and the famed Ban Gioc Waterfall, before descending to Cao Bang via riverside roads, gravel trails and the stunning Kneeling Horse Pass. The final ride follows the Hien River out of Cao Bang, with one more climb for a surreal mountain panorama, before transferring back to Hanoi for a final celebration.

Highlights:

• Cycle the shores of Ba Be Lake, Vietnam's largest body of freshwater
• Climb near the Phia Oac summit for views of the limestone "Dragon's Back"
• Visit Pac Bo, birthplace of Ho Chi Minh's 1940s guerrilla campaign
• Witness the spectacular Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Chinese border
• Descend the legendary Kneeling Horse Pass through a pure gravel section
• Stay in an organic farm, remote homestays and riverside guesthouses throughout

Surface and terrain:
Highly varied and challenging: broken asphalt or concrete, gravel, chunky rough sections, and occasional smooth pavement, changing frequently due to weather and road works. Terrain is mountainous throughout, with daily elevation gains mostly exceeding 1,500m (peaking over 2,000m on Days 3 and 7). Average climbing is 1,744m/day. Support vehicle cannot access some narrow sections.

Weather:
Northern Vietnam: hot, wet and humid May–October; cooler and dry November–April. The far north can get cold in December–January. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, with considerable microclimate variation and possible haze from seasonal field burning.

Suitable for:
Rated "Extreme" difficulty (gravel tier). For cyclists in very good physical condition, comfortable with 60–100km days, elevation gains over 1,500m, steep climbs and technical descents requiring advanced braking and steering skills. Group size 2–14, minimum age 18.