EN
In December 2022, Sa Mu peak was officially crowned, marking its presence on Vietnam's trekking map. Although still new, this place has quickly left its mark in the hearts of nature lovers because of its unique combination: it has a primeval forest covered with moss like in a fairy tale, and is also a cloud hunting spot that is no less than Ta Xua.
The mossy forest on the top of Sa Mu seems to open up another world.
Clouds hovering on the trekking path to the top
For Mr. Nguyen Trong Cung - a photographer who has spent many years pursuing mountain and forest journeys, the trip to Sa Mu is not just a mountain climb, but also an encounter with the pristine beauty that has not been touched by many human footsteps.
Stepping into the fairy moss forest
Departing from Bac Yen town, crossing more than 20 km of mountain road to reach Xim Vang commune, the journey to conquer Sa Mu begins from a small village deep in the valley. The trekking route is about 13 km long, taking Mr. Cung and his group through successive layers of old forest. The higher the altitude, the thinner the air, the thicker the fog, the light only has time to penetrate through the gaps between the leaves.
He said that the first impression was the tall, ancient trees covered with green moss. The soil, rocks, and tree roots were all covered in a soft moss coat, making it feel like being lost in a magical world in ancient stories. In the open spaces of the forest, ferns spread out into a lush green carpet, then turned into bamboo forests rustling all year round, making the scenery change constantly with each altitude.
The ancient tree trunks covered with moss, blurred behind the mist
What makes Sa Mu special is the thick layer of moss. Moss clings to each giant tree trunk, creeps into the cracks of the bark, and covers the rocks along the road. When the fog lowers, each patch of moss absorbs water and becomes shimmering under the weak light, making the forest look like it is wearing a new coat. “Entering the foggy season, the forest becomes magical, like stepping into a fairy tale. Sa Mu is as beautiful as a pure, primitive girl that few local boys know about,” Cung shared.
The deeper you go, the more the forest feels like an unreal place.
The seasons of flowers and leaves on the high mountains
Sa Mu has its own rhythm of four seasons, each time revealing a unique beauty. From September to November, the entire mountainside is dyed yellow and red by the changing maple leaves, creating a romantic picture of autumn in the Northwest. In March and April, the purple-pink color of rhododendrons blooms on the mossy ground, adding to the dark green picture.
Green vegetation all year round on Sa Mu peak
Along the way, there were not only trees and flowers, but Cung's group also encountered many species of forest birds with clear chirping echoing down from the high floors, or small animal footprints imprinted on the moist ground. Occasionally, squirrels would pass by, hiding in the bushes, adding a bit of liveliness to the otherwise quiet picture of the old forest. In the streams, cool water flowed, reflecting the silver-gray sky.
The sound of insects, flowing streams, and swaying leaves create a harmony of mountains and forests.
In addition to the moss and flower forests, Sa Mu is also famous as an ideal place for cloud hunting. In winter, especially from December to February, a thick sea of clouds often rolls down the valley. If you depart early from the rest house located about 1 km from the peak to be on the peak at dawn, you will see clouds swirling like silver waves under your feet, and in the distance, the peaks of Ta Xua and Ta Chi Nhu appear dimly through the layers of clouds.
Watching the sea of white clouds from the top of Sa Mu
A worthy challenge for trekking enthusiasts
The Sa Mu trekking journey is not an easy walk. Although the difficulty level is only 6/10, the long route with many slippery sections and long slopes requires endurance. At night, the temperature on the mountain can drop to -2°C, the wind is cold. Climbers need to prepare carefully: thermal clothing, specialized shoes, flashlights, medicine, drinking water and physical endurance.
Mr. Cung shared that the group often chooses to depart early in the morning, staying overnight in a hut to continue the final leg the next day. “If you start climbing from 4 to 5 am, when you reach the top, you will be able to see the sea of clouds rolling in the dawn light - the most valuable moment of the journey,” he said.
The moment of waiting for dawn on the mountain top
What made the journey unforgettable was the feeling of being challenged in another world. As the forest was covered in mist, each step echoed in the quiet space, with only the sound of the wind whistling through the leaves and the sound of the heart beating faster. The deeper we went, the more we felt small before the majesty and mystery of the mountains and forests.
"The deeper we go, the more we feel the smallness of humans before the majesty and mystery of the mountains and forests."
For photographer Nguyen Trong Cung, Sa Mu is a testament to the pristine beauty that still exists in the mountains and forests of the Northwest. It is not just a mountain climbing journey, but also a journey for people to find their connection with nature, with the most pristine and pure things.
