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Cycling Khau Pha Pass, Mù Cang Chải District, Yên Bái Province, Vietnam
Ride 17 kilometers gaining 838 meters at 5% average grade.
Thank you to Vietnames cycling tour guide Sinh Balo (sinhbalo@gmail.com) for photos and information on Khau Pha Pass.
Along with Ma Pi Leng, Hoang Lien Son and Pha Din, Khau Pha Pass is one of the 4 most famous mountain passes in Northern Vietnam.
Khau Pha Pass is a consistent 5% climb in northern Vietnam just 50 miles from its border with China. This is one of the 4 famous mountain passes in North Vietnam. The mountain looks like a horn in the sky and is thusly named - Khau is horn in Vietnames and Pha is heaven.
The area is well known for its terraced rice paddies. This is the longest and most rugged orad on National Highway 32. There are many hairpins and curves on the road as we climb, but the grade is fairly consistent at 4-6%. The scenery is lush and green throughout the climb and we have excellent views down to the Tule Valley along the way.
Tule Valley
Rice paddies are prevalent on this ride
The Hmong people have occupied this area for over 5,000 years.
Parasailing area and photo opps
Parasailing on Khau Pha Pass
Photo: Dreamstime.com