Da Lat Waterfalls: The 7 Best Falls & How to Visit Them

Datanla is the waterfall most visitors see first, simply because it is so close to town. It sits in pine forest just off the Prenn pass road heading south, and it is the easiest waterfall in Da Lat to squeeze into a half day.

Most people ride the Alpine Coaster — a single-seat roller-coaster that winds down through the forest to the lower falls — then walk or ride back up. Further downstream, the gorge becomes Da Lat's canyoning playground: guides lead groups over abseils, natural water slides and jumps that you simply cannot reach on foot.

Prenn is a little further down the same pass road as Datanla, near the top of the climb up from the airport. It has been redeveloped into a tidy tourist park, so expect paved paths, bridges and photo spots rather than a wild jungle scramble.

The upside is that it is one of the easiest waterfalls in Da Lat for anyone who does not want steep, slippery trails. It pairs naturally with Datanla on the same trip out of town.

Elephant Waterfall is the one people talk about afterwards. It is loud, wide and wild, crashing over dark basalt rocks into a misty pool. The name comes from the rock formations, which locals say look like a herd of elephants.

Getting close is part of the adventure: the trail down is a mix of rough steps, wet boulders and handholds. Take it slowly — it is steep and slippery, especially after rain. Right next to the falls, Linh An Pagoda has a big smiling Buddha statue and views over the coffee and vegetable farms of Nam Ban.

Pongour is the showpiece of the Da Lat waterfalls. Instead of one tall drop, water fans out across a broad staircase of rock ledges, creating a wall of white cascades that looks almost man-made.

It is far enough from the city that most travellers visit on a tour rather than by scooter. When the water is high, Pongour is jaw-dropping; late in the dry season it can shrink to a few separate streams, so timing matters more here than at any other fall.

Cam Ly is the only waterfall you can reach without leaving Da Lat proper. It is small, set in a little park, and the flow is often modest because the stream runs through town before it gets there.

Go if you are curious or short on time, but do not skip Datanla or Elephant for it. It is a nice add-on to a day exploring the city on foot or by scooter.

Hang Cop, or Tiger Cave Waterfall, gets far fewer tour buses than Datanla or Elephant. The walk down through the forest is part of the appeal, and you are more likely to hear birds than loudspeakers.

Facilities are simpler than at the big-name falls, so bring water and good shoes. It is a good choice for travellers who want nature without the crowds.

Dambri is a tall, powerful single-drop waterfall surrounded by jungle, in the tea and coffee country toward Bao Loc. It is genuinely impressive, but it is a long way from Da Lat.

Treat it as a full-day trip, or visit on your way in or out of Da Lat if you are travelling by private car or motorbike along that route.