Khe Sanh: Experience the unique trekking adventure of hunting for the vibrant red maple leaves.

In December, the maple forests around Rao Quan Lake in Quang Tri province simultaneously change color, creating a 14km trekking route for nature lovers and explorers.

The rare autumn foliage season in Quang Tri.

Every December, as the weather turns chilly, the forest area around the Rao Quan hydroelectric reservoir in Huong Hoa commune, Quang Tri province, dons a new coat of color. The maple forests begin to change from green to vibrant yellow, orange, and red, creating an impressive scene shrouded in mist and clouds. Located about 80 km from the center of Dong Ha city, this location has become an attractive destination for those who enjoy hiking (trekking).

The vibrant red foliage of the maple trees attracts tourists to go trekking in Khe Sanh, Quang Tri.

14 km trekking route

The maple forest trekking route is approximately 14 km long and takes about 4 hours to complete. The journey starts at Km 14 on the Ho Chi Minh Highway, following the old border patrol trail that winds around the Rao Quan hydroelectric lake. According to Nguyen Bon, a local tour guide, December is the ideal time to take the trip due to the dry weather and the maple leaves being at their most beautiful.

The trail on the trekking route is lined with rows of maple trees that are turning red.

The maple tree is characteristic of Khe Sanh.

The dominant tree species contributing to this beauty is the red maple, also known as the fragrant maple or Liquidambar formosana . This is a long-lived woody tree that can grow from 2-10 meters tall and emits a light fragrance. The maples in Khe Sanh have distinctive three-lobed leaves, differentiating them from maples in temperate regions.

Maple leaves in Khe Sanh have a three-lobed shape, different from temperate varieties. Photo: Nguyen Duc Hieu

Experiences along the way

The journey includes not only flat trails but also challenging sections with steep slopes and streams. The moss-covered rocky surfaces are quite slippery, and many stream crossings are only made up of tree trunks. Visitors are advised to use trekking poles for balance and to conserve energy.

After overcoming the challenges, visitors will be rewarded with a boat trip on Rào Quán Lake. This is an opportunity to admire and take photos with the maple trees growing along the lake's edge, their trunks partially submerged in the turquoise water. For safety, each boat carries a maximum of 8 people, and all passengers must wear life jackets.

Tourists take boat rides on Rao Quan Lake to take photos with the submerged maple trees. Photo: Le Cuong

Lunch is usually prepared in advance with cold dishes such as sticky rice, chicken, and pastries for convenience and to minimize environmental waste. At the end of the trip, the guides always collect the trash and remind tourists to be mindful of protecting the natural landscape.

Practical information for the trip

Currently, maple forest trekking tours are usually organized in small groups of 5-15 people. The all-inclusive cost per person ranges from 800,000 to 1 million VND, including transportation, food, and camping equipment if staying overnight.

Visitors can choose a day trip or a two-day, one-night itinerary for more experiences such as camping, watching the sunrise, and chasing clouds in the mountains. It's important to note that nighttime temperatures in mountainous areas can drop, so warm clothing is essential.

A makeshift lunch is prepared while tourists rest and take photos.

Khe Sanh coffee specialty

To conclude the trip, visitors can enjoy Khe Sanh coffee, a famous specialty of Huong Hoa district. Grown on red basalt soil and in the cool highland climate, Khe Sanh Arabica coffee has a distinctive flavor and is a key agricultural product of the locality.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/khe-sanh-trai-nghiem-trekking-san-mua-la-phong-do-doc-dao-409725.html