Sapa Mountain Trail Running Adventure

Trip Overview

4 days 3 nights

Looking for a challenging trail holiday with some of the very best high mountain trails and views in Vietnam?

Then this is the trip for you! Designed by the Race Director of Vietnam Trail Series, this getaway combines some of his favourite trails in the area, along with a night in Sapa town and two night at Topas Ecolodge.

TRIP TYPE

Trail Running

HIKING LEVEL

Hard

SERVICE LEVEL

Standard

Tour Price

Contact us for more infomation

Day 1: Hanoi – Sapa – Cow Mountain

Get on board the Topas Mountain Express for a trip direct from Hanoi to the mountain town of Sapa.

After checking in and enjoying a lunch, we will head about 15 minutes out of town to the start of today’s warm up run. Straight out the gate this route goes skyward, meaning today you will gain plenty of height and see some incredible views. After a couple of KM of up, you will reach more runnable terriroty with a trail leading you to an incredible lookout point with views of the Hoang Lien National Park and the highest mountain in the region – Fansipan.

You will then head down the mountain on a different trail, descending to Ta Phin Village of the Red Dao ethnic group. Here, you will be picked up for a 30-minute drive back to Sapa center.

While it is not quite the quaint, sleep mountain retreat of yesteryear, the modern Sapa has a buzz about it that many enjoy, with loads of restaurants, coffee shops and some bars making an evening here good fun. You’ll also find quite a few runners doing laps of the lake if you’re back in time for sunset.

*Note: Please be advised that the Topas Mountain Express operates as a shared limousine service with a fixed schedule. Pick-up from hotels in the Hanoi Old Quarter takes place between 06:30 AM and 07:00 AM. As this is a shared service, the driver cannot wait for late arrivals; please ensure you are ready in the lobby on time.

Meals: No

Accommodation: Sapa Highland Resort (Deluxe Mountain room)

Day 2: Along the mountains and ethnic villages | Sapa – Ham Rong Mountain – Topas Ecolodge

The run starts in Sapa town and heads directly up Ham Rong Mountain. As you climb higher on the single-track trail, you will get great views of Sapa town below and the surrounding mountains to the east.

After you reach the highest point of the course at around 1,900m, you will emerge into the other side of the mountain, with views of Mount Fansipan (3,143m) to your right and the magnificent Muong Hoa valley spread before you. An awesome, largely runnable downhill trail section here is one of the highlights of the course.

The descent brings you to your first in the village of Hang Da. Next, single-track trails lead along the mountainside with expansive views of the Muong Hoa valley, with its majestic rice terraces and many ethnic villages.

After a small climb, the majority of the next section is descending, with around 550m of elevation loss bringing you down to the Hmong ethnic village of Hoa Su Pan.

You will then run through a series of small Hmong villages and past rice terraces where water buffalo roam. A beautiful forest trail section then ascends the infamous Mount Silverstone climb.

When you emerge from the forest at the top, yet another incredible vista opens up, with stunning views from the small mountain top village of Lech Mong.

A long runnable downhill, then a final flat section brings you to one of the most beautiful, friendly finish line parties in the world, at the hilltop Topas Ecolodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge (Premium Executive bungalow)

Day 3: Running Remote | Topas Ecolodge – Nam Cang Village – Topas Ecolodge

Wake up and enjoy the mountain vistas surrounding your bungalow as a nutritious breakfast is delivered to your bungalow. Once you’re ready, begin preparation for today’s guided run through ethnic minority villages and magnificent natural settings to Nam Cang village.

The route starts on the same section as the famous VMM 100KM route, with a gentle descent to a nearby valley and then Thanh Phu Village. Cross rice terraces and corn fields, waving to members of the Red Dzao ethnic minority as your feet hit the trail. Stop for a breather in Nam Nhiu village, filling up your water bottle and replenishing your energy with some light snacks before continuing towards Nam Cang Village, one of the most remote villages in Sapa and the end of the run. Transfer back to Topas Ecolodge.

Running distance: 18 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge (Premium Executive bungalow)

*Note: The running distance can be shorten according to your requirement.

Day 4: The paradise above clouds| Topas Ecolodge – Ban Moi | Hanoi

Warm up gently and enjoy your breakfast before your running guide meets you today at 8:30. After carefully preparing your belongings, you will begin your 12km running journey through traditional Red Dzao villages, then follow the dirt road to the vast golden valley. Here, you can catch the beautiful scene of terraced fields and poetic streams crossing. Up to the mountain, you can encounter the locals black Hmong people. When you travel to downhill, take a rest, it’s time to get some snack, and maybe take a snap of this Sapa fantastic sights here.

Continue to Ban Moi, you will have the opportunity to see the sophisticated and colorful costume designs from the Red Dao people here. Then follow the sound of jungle, you will get to the wide grasslands. After crossing another beautiful stream, you will arrive at Topas Ecolodge, where you can refresh yourself in the infinity pool, enjoy a leisurely lunch with mountain views before your Topas Mountain Express limousine picks you up at 13h30 back to Hanoi.

End of the trip.

Meals: Breakfast

Elevation Maps

Tour Includes

Important Notes

Round transfer Hanoi – Sapa/ Topas Ecolodge – Hanoi by Topas Mountain Express 10-seat Limousine
1 night at Sapa Highland Resort (Deluxe mountain room)
2 nights at Topas Ecolodge (Premium Executive bungalow)
All meals as indicated in the program.
All entrance tickets and permits to local villages and Hoang Lien National Park
Water & snack on the runs
Running guide