A Bicycle ride around the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

Park view

Oxalis have acquired some mountain bikes for their new Chay Lap Farmstay. This isn't open yet so we managed to borrow some for a while so we can travel a bit further afield (our normal shopping bikes do not have the gears or brakes for many of the hills around here!).

Ruth on an uphill section

The other day we went on a bike tour around the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. This is quite a hilly route and starts off along the same road as we travel on to get to Hang Va and Hang Son Doong.

Both of us at the road side

After we had gone through the National Park Barrier, there is a long uphill section, at the top are views down to the road as it passes beneath a large cliff.

Inside cave

This cliff was heavily bombed during the American war and at the foot are some small caves where the Vietnamese road repairers sheltered. We always pass this on the way to Hang Son Doong but have never stopped to look so it was interesting to be able to have a look inside.

Cave entrance

Inside it is quite small with probably just enough room for ten Vietnamese to huddle up together, as the cave it is not very deep it must have been worrying when bombs were being dropped. Beyond the cave it was a relatively gentle uphill ride to a road junction.

Road sign

At this junction, we turn left to go to Son Doong and Va, straight on leads to eight ladies cave (50 km further on is Laos), but we turned right towards Paradise Cave and Dark Cave.

View to Laos

The next section of our ride was a long and steep uphill so we were fortunate that it was not a hot and sunny day. After the uphill is a long descent to Paradise Cave (a show cave).

Ruth descending

Next comes Dark Cave, this is a tourist cave, sort of an adventure trip aimed at young people. There is a zipline to the cave entrance and a short canoe back there is a muddy section inside. The poster below shows the sort of person this is aimed at!

Dark Cave, what are they thinking of?

From Dark Cave the way on is more gentle downhill past the Nuoc Mooc springs. This is a big resurgence for a possible as yet undiscovered cave system.

Nouc Mooc sign

The way now levels out, passing through several small villages.

River view

The Catholic population is increasing fast in this area and new churches are popping up fast.

Another church on the way

The grave sites are very colourful and based on the more traditional style for this area, only with crosses stuck on top.

Graves

The final part of the ride is a rather dull and flat section along a busy road which is a shame as the rest of the ride was really enjoyable.

Final view towards Phong Nha