Skip to content
3 Days Cycling From Hanoi To Mai Chau - Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh

3 Days Cycling From Hanoi To Mai Chau - Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh

A 3-Day Cycling Loop covering Hanoi – Mai Chau – Cuc Phuong – Ninh Binh – Hanoi is one of the most rewarding adventure routes in Northern Vietnam. Because the true distances between these regions are massive (totaling over 350 km), standard commercial tours use a support vehicle to bypass heavy traffic highways, leaving you to ride the most scenic backroads, mountain passes, and valley trails. The detailed breakdown of your route below covers approximately 135 km to 255 km of pure cycling across 3 days.
Day 1: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau Valley ( L, D )

  • Total Journey: ~140 km (Drive + Cycle) 
  • Cycling Distance: ~45 km to 70 km 
  • Terrain: Flat countryside tracks transitioning to steep mountain climbs and rolling valley single-tracks. 
  • Itinerary:
    • Morning: 7:30 AM pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi and leave Hanoi early via support van to Luong Son or Hoa Binh City (~2 hours) to avoid the chaotic highway gridlock.
    • Mid-Day: Unload the bikes and start cycling along the quiet, rural backroads of Hoa Binh. You'll pass Muong ethnic minority villages, sugarcane plantations, and emerald rivers. Stop for a local lunch.
    • Afternoon: Conquer a scenic portion of the approach to Mai Chau (advanced riders can test their legs on sections of the Thung Khe pass - Hoa Binh lakes while others can opt for the vehicle support on the steepest grades). Coast down a breathtaking descent into the flat, vibrant green bowl of Mai Chau Valley.
    • Evening: Free to enjoy a warm up loop around the White Thai minority villages of Lac and Poom Coong. Sleep in a traditional stilt house homestay. ( Private room )
Day 2: Mai Chau – Ho Chi Minh Trail – Cuc Phuong National Park (B, L, D )

  • Total Journey: ~140 km (Drive + Cycle) 
  • Cycling Distance: ~50 km to 80 km 
  • Terrain: Undulating country lanes, rugged paths, and a dedicated paved road deep through a jungle canopy.
  • Itinerary:
    • Morning: Say goodbye to Mai Chau and load up for a partial vehicle transfer toward Lo market to clear the heavy commercial traffic gaps.
    • Mid-Day: Get back on the saddle near the edge of the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail highway segments. Pedal down quiet country lanes flanked by pineapple plantations, limestone bluffs, and local Muong hamlets.
    • Afternoon: Enter the gates of . Enjoy a completely traffic-free, shaded 20 km ride under a thick rainforest canopy from the park entrance straight to the central jungle station (Bong Station).
    • Evening: Stay overnight inside the park's eco-guest houses. 
Day 3: Cuc Phuong – Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh Karst Valleys – Hanoi ( B, L )

  • Total Journey: ~180 km (Cycle + Drive back to Hanoi) 
  • Cycling Distance: ~40 km to 65 km
  • Terrain: Flat, highly photogenic valley pathways winding through rice paddies and around dramatic limestone karsts.
  • Itinerary:
    • Morning: Wake up to the sounds of the jungle and enjoy a crisp morning cycle out of the park bounds. Ride to visit the Prehistoric Man Cave or the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and Bike through rural villages toward the UNESCO-listed Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, checking out the historic 10th-century Dinh and Le king temples.
    • Mid-Day: Ride along the spectacular river waterways connecting to visit Thai Vi temple and Voi pagoda .
    • Afternoon: Hop back on your bike for one final, gorgeous push across the wet rice fields to the tiered, cliff-side . Pack the bikes back into the support van. Transfer comfortably via the expressway back to Hanoi. 
Enquire Now
© 2019 Indochina Holidays Travel - All Rights Reserved.
AW-10784395014