Waterfalls and Canyoning in Da Lat
Part of the Da Lat travel guide — see every topic in All Da Lat Guides.
The forests around Da Lat hide many waterfalls. Some are a short drive from town and easy to see. Others are far out in the countryside and feel wild. Datanla is the closest and the most popular, with a forest coaster and canyoning trips. The water is beautiful but can be dangerous, so it is worth knowing the risks before you go.
Datanla falls
Datanla is about 5 kilometres south of the centre, off the road towards the airport. A series of cascades runs down through a green forest valley, and the main drop is about 20 metres. Most visitors ride the forest coaster, a track about one kilometre long that runs down the slope in small carts. You control the speed with a brake, so it suits families. Walking paths and stairs also lead down to the falls. The area is busy on weekends and holidays. Arrive early on a weekday for a calmer visit and better photos of the water.
Canyoning trips
Canyoning is one of the most popular adventure activities in Da Lat. A typical day trip takes you to the Datanla area. You abseil down rock walls and waterfalls on ropes, slide down smooth rock chutes and jump into deep pools. Guides teach you the rope skills at the start. Many trips include a picnic lunch. You need to be fit, able to swim and not afraid of heights. You will get very wet, so wear quick-dry clothes and shoes with good grip. Agencies collect you from your hotel in the morning and bring you back in the afternoon.
Safety first
Water at the falls can rise very fast after rain upstream, and people have died at Datanla in past accidents. Choose a well-known company with good recent reviews, clear safety rules and enough guides for the group. Check that the helmets, harnesses and ropes look in good condition. Ask what happens if the water is high, and be ready to cancel on a bad day. A good guide will stop the trip if the river is too strong. Avoid canyoning in heavy rain or right after a storm, especially from about August to October. Never swim alone near the falls.
Pongour and the countryside falls
Further out, Pongour falls is about 45 kilometres south of Da Lat. Water spreads wide over rock steps in many small streams, and it is most impressive in the rainy season. Elephant falls, near Nam Ban, about 30 kilometres west of the city, is a strong, loud waterfall with steep, wet steps down to the base. Wear good shoes and take care on the rocks. Prenn falls is right on the edge of the city on the airport road and is easy to combine with a drive. A day trip by car or motorbike can link two or three falls with coffee and flower farms.
Waterfalls and Canyoning at a glance
| Getting there | Datanla about 5 km south by taxi; Pongour about 45 km |
|---|---|
| Height | Datanla main drop about 20 m |
| Hours | Daytime only; check locally |
| Cost | Entry fee at each fall; coaster and canyoning extra |
| Best time | Dry season mornings for canyoning; rainy season for big falls |
| Safety | Licensed operator only; skip water trips after heavy rain |