Are you in A Luoi and need something to do? Consider checking out these nice waterfalls that are but a short distance outside of town, and can be visited in less than an hour.
Located at the confluence of two granite canyons that also spill over a harder chunk of rock, these two waterfalls come bursting out of the mountains on both sides. They tumble together into a single pool, and then the unified creek falls over one more drop into a bottomless cauldron. The East Fork (the one on lookers' right) comes spilling out of the greenery of the canyon above, and immediately falls into a double-drop. However, the West Fork (or lookers' left) comes out of a small slot canyon hidden in the jungle before dropping into the confluence falls. It was low water when we were there, but I'm sure these falls would be unbelievable at high water. There is a small dam above the slot on the West Fork, which at one point was utilized for water purposes in A Luoi, but it doesn't appear to be utilized now. |
Access is actually pretty damn easy. In A Luoi, travel north on the Ho Chi Minh Road (the main road) until you pass a school on the left with the words "Dan Toc" in the sign. This is a school for ethnic students, and once past the intersection at the north end of the school, the turn to the falls is the next turn on the right. There is a blue building and sign at the turn. The first section of the road is paved, but this doesn't last long and it soon turns to dirt. After a short distance, the road will turn into a track, and then into a concrete box that you are driving over. Eventually there will be a large hole in the box and you must stop the bikes and proceed on foot.
The walking is easy as it stays on top of the old viaduct [the concrete box] the whole way. The first bit wraps around the hill, and as you swing around the next corner the falls comes into view across the small canyon. It's a beautiful sight, the white water and grey rock contrasting against the lush green of the jungle. There is a good viewpoint from far away, although the bottom of the falls is obscured. But, if you walk a few minutes more, and scramble down to a small shelf below the road, you can get a great view of the entire falls and the pool at the base.
If you keep hiking a couple more minutes, you'll come to a fork in the trail: going right (down) will take you down a short and exciting path a nice small pool between the dam and the short slot canyon, and going left will take you to the dam itself. Peer into the slot, but don't proceed unless you know what you are doing and have sufficient gear. The waterfall below this ledge has a dangerous siphon in it, and ending up in it would likely result in death. But, the pool above this is totally safe and enjoyable. After you have enjoyed the scene, head back at your leisure.
It is possible to explore up to the bottom of the falls, as there were some local children splashing in the bottom pool when we were above. However, I don't know what that entails at this time so if you want to do it, go for it and let me know how it went! Enjoy and thanks for reading.
It is possible to explore up to the bottom of the falls, as there were some local children splashing in the bottom pool when we were above. However, I don't know what that entails at this time so if you want to do it, go for it and let me know how it went! Enjoy and thanks for reading.
Peering down into the slot on the West Fork.
All photos copyright Kit Davidson.
My created with and copyright Google MyMaps.
My created with and copyright Google MyMaps.