A small village nestled amongst tall, majestic mountains, Nong Khiaw stands as a paradise for all hiking enthusiasts. While hiking, you can see the Nong Khiaw village from different angles. During our visit to Nong Khiaw, we gathered information about all the hiking trails around the village. This blog is a collection of that information and contains everything you need to know before going on any of the hikes mentioned here!

5 Best Hiking Trails In Nong Khiaw

Best Time to Hike in Nong Khiaw

The hiking trails around the Nong Khiaw village are open all year round and can be visited anytime you want, but we think the best time to hike is after the monsoon season, between October and February. The weather is pleasant for the hike, making your experience all the more better. The summer months between March and May are hotter, but this doesn’t necessarily have to concern you as most of the trail falls under the shade of tall, lush trees, keeping you well under its canopy. The monsoon season starts in June and lasts well into September; the trail is extremely slippery during this season. 

1. Som Nang Viewpoint

For those who aren’t big on hiking but would want to see the beauty of the Nong Khiaw village from an elevated height, the Som Nang viewpoint must be on your list. With steps and handrails, it is an ideal and fairly easy hike for anyone. It only takes about twenty to thirty minutes to reach the top. Known for its striking sunset imagery, this viewpoint gives you an aerial look at the Nong Khiaw village and the waters of the Nam Ou River. With a well-developed viewpoint, a large shelter, and sufficient seating, you can also take the journey to see the Lablubang Viewpoint beside.

• Altitude: 500 m
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Entry Fee: 30000 KIP or 1.5 USD
• Camping: Allowed. Carry your tents and pitch them.
• Hike entry point: The trailhead starts at the end of the bridge. The red-coloured gate on the east marks the entrance.

2. Phadeng Peak Viewpoint

With a greater altitude than the Som Nang viewpoint, the Phadeng Peak viewpoint, also known as the Nong Khiaw viewpoint, can be reached through a different entry point. With arresting sunset views, we hiked through this viewpoint and had a detailed DIY hiking guide on how to reach the top, what to carry, connectivity, details about the route, camping, and so much more. Make sure to check it out if you are undertaking this hike. 

3. Phanoi Viewpoint and Pha Khao Viewpoint

The Phanoi Viewpoint shares its entrance with a couple of other viewpoints, the Phanoi Viewpoint and the Pha Khao Viewpoint, respectively. The Phanoi viewpoint is comparatively beginner-friendly. The Pha Khao viewpoint is more of a moderate-level hike with a whopping altitude of 1070 m at the summit. We had undertaken the hike to both these viewpoints and camped at the top of the Pha Khao viewpoint, an experience we would always carry. We have a detailed guide on Phanoi viewpoint and Pha Khao Viewpoint, about undertaking these hikes on a separate blog. 

4. Phar Khew Lom 360 Viewpoint

Crowned the highest viewpoint in the Nong Khiaw village, the Phar Khew Lom 360 Viewpoint is a moderately demanding hike that takes about three hours to ascend uphill. With a challenging steep descent and slippery sand, this trail interests hikers. Since trees cover the trail on either side, it is perfect to hike this route during the day and set up camp for the night. The scenic view at the top of the hike is similar to the Pha Khao viewpoint in some parts. 

• Altitude: 1070 m (same as Pha Khao)
• Difficulty Level: Moderate – Difficult
• Entry Fee: 20000 KIP or 1 USD
• Camping: Allowed. Tents are pitched for organized group camping tours. You can also carry your tents and pitch them.
• Hike entry point.

5. Nong None Mountain Viewpoint & Sleeping Lady Viewpoint

The Nong None Mountain and the Sleeping Lady viewpoints share the same entrance. The former takes about fifteen to thirty minutes to complete, whereas the elevated Sleeping Lady viewpoint takes about an hour or a couple of hours, thanks to the steep climbs and slippery terrain, even during the dry season. 

Nong None Mountain Viewpoint and Sleeping Lady Viewpoint share the same entrance. The former can be reached in 15-30 minutes, while the higher-elevated Sleeping Lady Viewpoint takes at least an hour or a couple of hours due to steep climbs combined with slippery terrain, even during the dry season. While there isn’t a shelter at the summit, you’ll find flat steel flooring with a flying Lao flag marking the highest point. From this viewpoint, you’ll enjoy a distinctive perspective of the Nong Khiaw village.

• Altitude: 480 m for Nong None Mountain Viewpoint and 670 m for Sleeping Lady Viewpoint. The highest altitude you’ll reach is about 710 m.
• Entry Fee: 20000 KIP or 1 USD
• Camping: Camping is allowed. Tents are pitched for organized group camping tours, but you can also carry your tents and pitch them.
• Trail marked in OSMAND/ Maps.me: Yes. Trails are marked in both applications.
• Hike entry point

Important Things to Note

• Considering that Laos is the most heavily cluster-bombed country in the world, our advice is that you do not deviate and venture into far-off spots from your existing trail. It is recommended that you stick to the trail throughout the hike.
• Download the offline maps in that area in both maps.me and OSMAND. The trail is marked in both applications. You can crosscheck to make sure you’re following the correct trail.
• Using plastics and smoking is strictly prohibited. As a hiker, you must keep clean and not litter. Pick up your trash with you and dispose of it in the proper dedicated bins.
• There is no source of water available on many of the hikes. Make sure to carry enough water with you. 
• We highly recommend you wear good hiking shoes as the terrain is slippery.
• You can find leeches during monsoon season. Learn how to treat leeches the right way. 

Essential Things To Carry

• Ensure to bring enough water, as no water sources are along the hike.
• Pack energy bars, snacks, candies, or fruits for quick energy boosts.
• If you plan to camp or hike during the golden hours, don’t forget to bring a head torch.
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the terrain in Nong Khiaw can be very slippery, even in dry conditions. Be extra cautious when descending.
• Keep a first aid kit handy.
• Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
• Bring a poncho or raincoat in case of rain.
• Check out the blog for more information on what we typically carry for day hikes.

Read the blog to know more about what we usually carry for day hikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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