Routes
Cao Bang Motorcycle Routes and Loop Maps
Cao Bang is one of my favourite places to ride in northern Vietnam. You can spend a day exploring near the city, head east to Ban Gioc Waterfall, or use the roads west and south to build a longer trip through Bao Lac and Ba Be. This page will help you choose a route and open the right map before you set off.
Getting to Cao Bang by motorcycle
There is no single best way into Cao Bang. Your choice depends on where you start, how many days you have and whether you want a direct riding day or a trip with overnight stops. If you are still deciding how to reach the region, start with our How to Get to Cao Bang guide.
From Hanoi via Bac Kan
If you are riding out of Hanoi, breaking the journey at Bắc Kạn gives you a more manageable first day. Follow the Hanoi to Bac Kan map, then pick up the Bac Kan to Cao Bang map for the next leg. You can reverse the same journey using our Cao Bang to Bac Kan map when it is time to head south on your return to Hanoi.
From Ba Be Lake
You may be coming across from Ha Giang or even Sa Pa, which means that Ba Be and Cao Bang work well together if you want to mix a lakeside stay with mountain roads. Our Ba Be Lake to Cao Bang map shows the choices heading east, while the Cao Bang to Ba Be Lake map helps you plan the return direction. Give yourself a proper riding day rather than treating Ba Be as a quick stop on the way.
Choose a ride from Cao Bang
Cao Bang City makes a useful base and I would advise spending one or two nights there. However, I would not spend all my time in town. The best part is getting out onto the smaller roads, stopping at the places that interest you and allowing enough daylight to enjoy the ride back. These maps give you a starting point for a short day trip or the first leg of a bigger loop.
Bản Giốc Waterfall and the eastern roads
The ride to Ban Gioc is the obvious first choice if you have not been to Cao Bang before. The waterfall is a good destination, but Ma Phuc Pass, the villages around Quang Uyen and the roads across the limestone valleys make the journey worthwhile too. Open our Cao Bang to Ban Gioc map and use the Ban Gioc to Cao Bang map if you are returning to town. It’s definitely worth making this journey a loop rather than an out-and-back as that will allow you to see much much more.
Pac Bo and the northern roads
Pac Bo gives you a different day out, with history as well as attractive riding through the north of the province. Read the Cao Bang to Pac Bo riding guide if you want more background, then use the Cao Bang to Pac Bo map for the route itself. There is also a Pac Bo to Cao Bang map for your ride back. Once again, you can use the maps to spice this up rather than simply follow Google on the same route out and then back.
Thang Hen Lake and Angel Eye Mountain
If you have an easier day in mind, ride out towards Angel Eye Mountain and Thang Hen Lake. They make a good pair: enjoy the open landscape around Angel Eye, then take time for a meal and a walk beside the lake before you ride on towards Trà Lĩnh or return to Cao Bang. Keep the afternoon flexible, since the small approach roads and photo stops are part of the pleasure.
Bao Lac and the western connection
The road west to Bao Lac is for riders who want to continue rather than circle back to the city. It opens up routes towards Ha Giang, Dong Van and Ba Be, so it is especially useful on a longer northern loop. Compare the options on our Cao Bang to Bao Lac map before deciding how much time to allow.
Pick a Cao Bang loop
A loop lets you see more of the province without riding the same road both ways. The maps below cover different trip lengths, so choose by the time you actually have rather than squeezing a long itinerary into a short holiday. Allow room for stops, weather and the slower stretches of mountain riding.
Two or three days
Our 2-day Cao Bang loop is the simplest way to make Ban Giac part of a round trip. With a third day, the 3-day Cao Bang loop gives you more room to ride through the wider region. Check each map’s daily legs before choosing where to stay.
Four or five days
The 4-day Cao Bang loop gives you more time to enjoy the roads and stops without making every day a race. If you can spare another night, the 5-day Cao Bang loop opens up a longer ride. These are the options I would compare if the riding itself matters as much to you as reaching Ban Gioc.
Six days and a wider Northeast trip
The 6-day Cao Bang loop ties Cao Bang into a larger trip that also takes in Ban Gioc and Ba Be. If you are planning from Hanoi, look at the Northeast 5-day loop as another way to use the network. Open both maps and compare the daily riding before you commit to one.
Stops worth making time for
The maps help you choose the roads; the stops are what make the day memorable. I would pick a few that suit your route rather than try to tick off everything in the province. Remember that a short distance on the map can take longer once you add mountain bends, village traffic and photographs.
Ban Gioc and Nguom Ngao Cave
Ban Gioc Waterfall is a natural anchor for an eastern Cao Bang ride. Nguom Ngao Cave is nearby, so the two can fit into the same outing if you start early and do not pack too many other stops into the day. Our guide to getting to Ban Gioc helps with the broader journey.
Thang Hen Lake, Angel Eye and Tra Linh
Thang Hen Lake is a lovely place to slow down, especially if you want a quieter afternoon after the open scenery around Angel Eye Mountain. You can extend the ride towards Tra Linh Markets if the weather and daylight are on your side. I would treat the lake as a proper stop, with time to eat and look around, rather than a pin to collect before rushing on.
Markets and smaller communities
The roads through Cao Bang also pass local markets and villages where it is worth getting off the bike for a while. Market days vary, so check before building your ride around one particular stop. Our Cao Bang local markets guide will help you decide which one fits your route.
Plan the next leg of your trip
Cao Bang can be a destination in its own right or part of a bigger northern journey. Decide where you want to finish before you choose your loop, particularly if you are thinking of continuing west to Ha Giang or south to Ba Be. The onward maps below make those connections easier to plan.
Continue to Ba Be or Ha Giang
For a lake stop after Cao Bang, follow the Cao Bang to Ba Be Lake map and leave enough time to enjoy Ba Be once you arrive. For a longer northern circuit, the Bao Lac to Đong Van map carries you towards the Ha Giang riding area. If you are weighing up the two regions, read our Ha Giang Loop versus Cao Bang Loop guide.
Weather, bikes and a bit of flexibility
Check the best time to ride the Cao Bang Loop as you plan, and check the forecast again before each mountain day. Rain, mist and roadworks can change how far you feel like riding, so leave some slack in the schedule. If you need a bike for a trip from Hanoi, you can see our motorcycle rentals or ask us about your route.
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FAQ
How many days do I need to ride around Cao Bang?
Two days give you a useful taste of the area, particularly if you focus on Ban Gioc and the roads back to Cao Bang City. Four or five days let you ride at a more comfortable pace and reach farther into the region. Remember to allow additional time to get to and from Cao Bang if you start in Hanoi.
Can I visit Thang Hen Lake on a motorcycle day trip from Cao Bafng?
Yes. Pair Thang Hen Lake with Angel Eye Mountain for a day that is as much about the ride and scenery as the lake itself. If you have enough daylight, you can consider continuing towards Tra Linh before returning to town.
Should I ride from Cao Bang to Ban Gioc and back in one day?
It is possible, but leave early and be selective with your stops. If you also want time for Nguom Ngao Cave and the smaller roads, staying overnight near Ban Gioc Waterfall or using a loop may feel more relaxed. Use the outward and return maps to choose different roads if they suit your plans.
Is Ba Be a good next stop after Cao Bang?
Yes, especially if you want a quieter day beside the lake after several days in the mountains. Treat the ride there as a full day’s leg and choose your route before setting off. You can then continue south towards Hanoi or west towards Ha Giang.
Which Cao Bang loop should I choose?
Start with the number of full riding days you have, then check the daily stages on the individual map. The 2-day loop suits a focused visit; the 4- and 5-day options give you more time for stops. Choose a longer route only if you have room for weather and slower days.
Make Cao Bằng your own ride
You do not need to see every corner of Cao Bang on one trip. Pick a day ride to Thang Hen Lake or Ban Gioc, or follow a longer loop if you want to connect the waterfalls, villages and western roads. Open the maps that fit your time, keep a little space in the plan, and enjoy the riding between the stops.
If you are starting in Hanoi, choose a rental bike for the trip so that you can plan a longer Northern Vietnam motorcycle route or contact us to talk through your route. If Cao Bang is only one part of the journey, the Ba Be and Bao Lac maps above will help you carry on.