There are many hiking trails in Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain), Da Nang Vietnam for nature lovers and visitors who seek outdoor adventures. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will provide all the information about them.
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• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang
– Location/address: Tho Quang ward, Son Tra district, Da Nang city, Vietnam
– Name’s meaning: ‘Son Tra’ means ‘camellia (flower) mountain’
– How to pronounce:
– Other name(s): Son Tra Mountain, Monkey Mountain (by American), Son Cha Mountain, Monkey Island, the Clam Mountain (by Chinese)
– Opening hour(s): sunrise to sunset
– Ticket price: free
– Area: 43,7 km2
– Height/elevation: 715 meters (2,198 ft)
– Reason(s) to visit: awe-inspiring sceneries from mountains to sea, untouched forests, red shanked douc (one of 25 world’s rarest primate species), 67-meters-tall Lady Buddha Statue, Linh Ung Pagoda, beautiful beaches, coral reefs, hiking trails
– Best time to visit: early morning, late afternoon, sunny days
– Time to spend: from 30 mins
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/son-tra-peninsula-travel-guide
– Recognition(s): national nature reserve (1992)
– Emblem: red shanked douc (Son Tra langur)
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: no
– Tour guide: contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Fact: Son Tra Night Market, the city’s biggest night market is not in Son Tra Peninsula/Mountain!
Son Tra Peninsula on Map
Hiking Trails to Ban Co Peak (Chessboard Peak)
From Yet Kieu Road (West Side)
This is the most popular hiking trail in Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain). It leads to one of the highest points in the mountain, Ban Co Peak (nearly 700 meters above the sea level), and for sure, the views from there are absolutely fabulous. It also meanders rich forests of Son Tra Nature Reserve, home to nearly 1,000 plant species and 300 animal species. The total length of 9,5km, but if want, visitors can take a car or ride the motorbike to the security booth to cut down 3km.
The trail basically is a car road, therefore while hiking up, visitors need to watch vehicles carefully. In the morning or late afternoon, local citizens of Da Nang also walk, run or cycle along it as a way to do exercise.
There is one small stall near Ban Co Peak to buy foods and drinks. Payment is by cash only (so make sure that you bring local currency VND to pay).
Between the security booth and Ban Co Peak (the destination), visitors will have several places to see. From the base to the top, there are Boom Boom Rock (in left hand and hidden in the forests, so need to observe carefully to find it), the viewpoint near the Son Tra Radar Station (built by USA in 1965), and an abandoned airfield constructed by USA in the Vietnam War namely the Son Tra Airport. Like name of the mountain, it’s possible to see numerous monkeys, and occasionally, red-shanked douc langur (one of world’s rarest primates).
To get back from Ban Co Peak, choose the trail down to Yet Kieu Road or Hoang Sa Road (see more information about the trail to Hoang Sa Road below).
Visitors can watch sunset at Ban Co Peak (definitely one of the nicest spots in Da Nang). At night, the trail is lit up by many lamps, so very bright. However, we don’t recommend this activity for solo female travelers. Plus, the view to the city when it’s illuminated, is great too.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Son Tra Peninsula/Monkey Mountain. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
From Hoang Sa Road (East Side)
This trail to Ban Co Peak is started from Hoang Sa Road on the east side of Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain), particularly the entrance of Intercontinental resort. This spot is 5,5km from Lady Buddha and Linh Ung Pagoda, and 15km from city center of Da Nang. To come here, visitors can walk along the coastal road from the pagoda or/and take a car/taxi. Motorbikes (including automatic transmission bike) are allowed, and a parking lot can be found at the cafe near the trailhead (will pay a small fee if don’t drink).
If do not like seeing cars and motorbikes, the trail from Hoang Sa Road to Ban Co Peak is for you.
There is no designated viewpoints or historical sites to see on this trail, but the views are still breath-taking. It ruins through Son Tra Nature Reserve, which has one of world’s biggest populations of red-shanked douc langur. Before hiking, visitors a plenty of cultural and natural places to go around this side of the mountain (like the giant Lady Buddha statue, lesser-known white sandy beaches, and even snorkeling at Bai Rang Beach).
To get down from Ban Co Peak, choose the trail near radar stations, for more experiences.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Son Tra Peninsula/Monkey Mountain. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Tien Sa Beach to Ban Co Peak Trail
The trail from Tien Sa Beach to Ban Co Peak is least known by visitors today. It’s 11,5km along, started from Yet Kieu Road (location on Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sbYBiUGbezUPNtxT8). So, it’s also the longest trail to the top of Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain).
To go to the starting point on Yet Kieu Road (near the cruise port), visitors can take a car/taxi or ride the motorbike. However, finding a place to park the bike is quite difficult because there are only military buildings around it. We recommend going to restaurants or shops or hotels near the port entrance (end of Yet Kieu Road) for parking and then walking back to the point.
As an unpopular tourism route, this trail has no beverage stores to buy a drink. Keep in mind to prepare bottled water enough before hike (can buy bottles of water in shops/restaurants around Tien Sa port’s entrance).
Along this trail, visitors will walk through Son Tra Nature Reserve, have the chance to see and photograph red-shanked douc langurs, visit hidden beaches like Black Rock Beach (Bai Da Den) or viewpoints, go swimming in cool water of natural springs, or even go fishing like local people,…
To get down from Ban Co Peak, choose the trail by Son Tra Radar Station (the higher one, described above) or the trail to Hoang Sa Road. Do not return by the same trail if it’s dark because it has no lights at all! In the evening, nobody comes to this part of the mountain.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Son Tra Peninsula/Monkey Mountain. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Trail to Son Tra Banyan Tree & Lighthouse
This trail leads to Son Tra Banyan Tree (a 800-year-old tree) and Tien Sa Lighthouse (one of the oldest lighthouses in Vietnam). It’s started at the entrance of Intercontinental resort, 5,5km from Lady Buddha and Linh Ung Pagoda, and 15km from city center of Da Nang. To come here, visitors can walk along the coastal road from the pagoda or/and take a car/taxi. Motorbikes (including automatic transmission bike) are allowed, and a parking lot can be found at the cafe near the trailhead (will pay a small fee if don’t drink).
From the trailhead, it’s possible to find the trail down to Ghenh Bang Reef, a hidden and fascinating cove. From here, visitors need to hike for 3,5km if want to see the giant banyan tree. To find the trail to Tien Sa Lighthouse, return by the same way and after 1,5km, it lies on the right hand side.
Due to security reason, the lighthouse may be closed. If possible to enter it, visitors can climb stairs to the beacon and see the views!
Like other trails through Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain), the trail to the big banyan tree still provides the chance to watch red-shanked douc langurs.
Nowhere along this trail visitors can buy drink. Before hike, please prepare some bottles of water or walk to the cafe near the trailhead to buy.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Son Tra Peninsula/Monkey Mountain. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Guided Tours to Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain)
Here are the best guided tours to Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain):
– Son Tra Peninsula Private Tour (Monkey Mountain Private Tour)
– Marble Mountains & Monkey Mountain Tour
– Marble Mountains & Monkey Mountain Sunset Tour
– Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave & Monkey Mountain Tour
– Am Phu Cave Tour with Marble Mountain & Monkey Mountain
– Marble Mountains, Monkey Mountain & Coconut Forest Tour
– Da Nang City Tour Half Day: Monkey Mountain & Central District
– Da Nang City Tour Full Day: Marble Mountains & Central District
– Da Nang City Highlights Tour
– Da Nang City Tour from Airport
– Marble Mountains, Monkey Mountain & Hoi An Tour
– My Son Sanctuary & Monkey Mountain Tour from Da Nang
– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills & Lady Buddha/Monkey Mountain Tour
– Da Nang Day Tour from Hoi An with Lunch
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Son Tra Peninsula/Monkey Mountain Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
