Trekking to Hidden Waterfall & Sturgeon Farm for dog-lovers

The best part of this Dalat countryside trek is the private waterfall. After about 30 minutes in the forest, you reach a spot that is not open to the public, so you can swim, paddle, or simply sit by the water without the usual crowd. The farm dogs often follow along, turning a simple walk into a cheerful little procession.

I like the mix of local agriculture and outdoor time. You see how sturgeon are raised, learn about coffee production, and then walk through the forest before returning to the farm for a drink. I also like the value: $10 includes the guide, water, welcome drink, plantation and roastery tour, and entrance fees.

The main drawback is the location. Twin Beans Farm is about 20 kilometers from central Dalat, and the final approach can be awkward to find. Arrange your return ride before you leave, and allow extra time for coffee or lunch, since the peaceful farm setting makes it easy to stay longer than planned.

Key points

• A private waterfall in the forest: Swim or relax at a waterfall that is not publicly accessible.
• Six friendly farm dogs may join you: The dogs often escort the group along the trail.
• A rare look at sturgeon farming: Visit one of Dalat’s largest sturgeon farms, which is not open to the public.
• Coffee from plantation to cup: See the plantation and roastery, then order coffee at the farm cafe.
• A low-cost half-day outing: The $10 price covers the guide, water, welcome drink, and entrance fees.
• Good add-on options: Stay for lunch, a coffee workshop, or a scented candle workshop.

A private waterfall walk outside Dalat

Dalat is famous for cool air, pine forests, coffee farms, and waterfalls. Much of the town’s sightseeing, however, follows a familiar route. This outing gives you a quieter view of the area, starting at Twin Beans Farm in Da Sar commune, about 20 kilometers from downtown.

The walk begins at the farm and heads into the forest. The first section takes roughly 30 minutes, though the complete outing can last three to six hours depending on the pace, time at the waterfall, and whether you stay for coffee or food afterward.

I would not treat this as a hard mountain hike. Still, it is a real forest walk, and the route to the waterfall can involve climbing and uneven ground. One person described the walk as about 5 kilometers in total, while another highlighted the need to go up around the waterfall. Wear proper walking shoes, not smooth sandals.

The biggest reward comes when you reach the water. The waterfall is private in the practical sense that it is not publicly accessible, and groups can have the place to themselves. You may be able to swim or paddle around the water, but conditions can change, so bring swimwear and listen to the guide.

This is not a polished theme-park attraction. That is part of its appeal. You are walking through a natural area with a local guide rather than following a marked tourist circuit with crowds, souvenir stalls, and loud music.

Walking with Twin Beans Farm’s dogs

The dog element is not just a title added for marketing. Several of the farm’s dogs commonly walk with the group, and they may escort you along the road and trail. For anyone who enjoys dogs, this adds a lot of warmth to the outing.

The dogs also make the walk feel less formal. You are not simply moving from one scheduled stop to another. You might find yourself watching them explore the path, wait for the group, or splash around near the waterfall.

That said, this is still a farm walk, not a dedicated dog-handling activity. The information does not promise a set number of dogs, and their participation may vary. If you are uncomfortable around dogs, tell the farm or guide before setting out.

The animals are one reason this works especially well for solo visitors and couples. They give the walk a friendly rhythm, while the guide provides the useful details about the forest, farming, and local life.

Learning how Dalat sturgeon becomes caviar

The sturgeon farm is a surprising stop. This part of Vietnam is better known for coffee, flowers, and vegetables, so seeing large sturgeon in the highlands gives the trip a different angle.

After about 30 minutes of trekking, you visit one of the largest sturgeon farms in Dalat. It is not open to the public, which makes access through this activity particularly worthwhile. Your English or Vietnamese-speaking guide explains the farming process and the production of caviar.

The visit is more informative than flashy. You will see the fish and hear how the farm operates rather than walk through a large visitor center. One person noted seeing very large fish, and the farm’s setting was praised as calm and scenic.

I like this stop because it connects food with place. You are not only looking at a rural view. You are learning about a specialized form of agriculture that depends on the area’s climate and water conditions.

The guide matters here. Hieu, also referred to as Hue in some comments, has led many of the outings and is praised for his English and clear explanations. Jessie has also guided the walk, explaining the forest and farm during a recent visit. Guides may vary, but English and Vietnamese are the listed tour languages.

Coffee from the plantation to the roastery

Twin Beans Farm is more than the meeting point. It is a working coffee plantation and roastery, and the tour includes a plantation and roastery visit.

After the forest walk, you can sit at the farm cafe among the coffee plants. The drink is not included, but it gives you a pleasant way to cool down and take in the setting. You can also buy coffee beans as a souvenir, which is more useful than another generic fridge magnet.

The farm-to-cup idea is easy to understand here. You see where the coffee grows, learn about the roasting side, and then drink the finished product at the source. The tour does not claim to include a full coffee tasting, so think of this as a plantation and roastery introduction unless you add the separate workshop.

If you have time, the coffee workshop is a natural follow-up. It can be arranged in the afternoon, and the activity can also be combined with a scented candle workshop. One visitor joined the coffee workshop after the morning trek and found it a good way to extend the day.

The cafe is also the main place to slow down. The walking portion may finish within a few hours, but you can stay for coffee or arrange lunch at an extra cost. Build this into your schedule instead of booking a tight ride back to Dalat.

What the $10 price really includes

At $10 per person, this is an unusually strong value if you want several small experiences in one outing. The price includes:

• An English or Vietnamese-speaking guide
• Entrance to the sturgeon farm
• Entrance to the private waterfall area
• Drinking water
• A welcome drink
• A coffee plantation and roastery tour

It does not include lunch, drinks ordered at the coffee shop, or transport from Dalat. Lunch can be arranged for an additional charge.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for a farm visit, a short hike, and a waterfall stop. You also get the guide’s explanations, which help connect the different parts of the day.

The price does not mean the tour is luxurious. Transport is self-arranged, the route is outdoors, and the waterfall is reached on foot. You are paying for access, local guidance, and a genuine rural outing, not for a large vehicle, a formal dining experience, or a heavily produced attraction.

Getting to Twin Beans Farm from central Dalat

Twin Beans Farm is in Da Sar commune, Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province. The drive from central Dalat takes about 40 minutes and covers roughly 20 kilometers.

You can ride your own motorbike, drive, or take a taxi. A taxi or Grab ride costs about 300,000 Vietnamese dong each way, according to the provided directions. A motorbike can cost less if you are comfortable riding, and one practical note is worth remembering: the last 100 meters may be rough, even though the main roads are described as good.

Finding the farm can be difficult, especially if you arrive late. Put the exact meeting point into your plans and arrive on time. Once dropped off, mobile service may not be available, so do not rely on your phone to solve every navigation problem after arrival.

For the return, ask the staff to arrange a taxi before you need it. One useful timing detail is that the taxi may take about 45 minutes to arrive. If you plan to eat, order coffee, or join another workshop, leave a generous buffer.

The farm can also help organize a taxi back to Dalat. This is useful, but it is still better to discuss the plan early rather than wait until the end of the walk.

Timing, swimming, and what to pack

The stated duration is three to six hours. The wide range makes sense because the basic walk and farm visits may be fairly short, while coffee, lunch, swimming, and workshops can extend the outing.

For the trek itself, bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Swimwear
• Water

Water is included, but bringing your own bottle is sensible for a forest walk. A towel is not listed, so you should check with the farm before assuming one will be available.

The waterfall is a highlight, but swimming is optional. You may prefer to sit by the water, take photographs, or watch the dogs. If you do swim, take the guide’s advice about where it is safe to enter.

The day can also be affected by weather and trail conditions. No detailed accessibility information is provided, so I would not recommend booking this if you need a flat, paved route or a fully accessible sightseeing stop.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This is a good choice if you want to get away from Dalat’s city center and see local agriculture in a relaxed setting. It suits couples, solo visitors, small groups, and anyone who enjoys walking, dogs, coffee, or unusual food production.

You will get the most from it if you like variety. In one morning, you can visit a private sturgeon farm, walk through forest, reach a waterfall, and return to a coffee plantation. None of these stops is designed as a large attraction, so the appeal comes from the combination.

It is also a smart choice for repeat visitors to Dalat who have already seen the central sights. The outing gives you a quieter side of Lam Dong province and a chance to spend time with local guides such as Hieu, Hue, or Jessie.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a strenuous full-day trek. The route is described as a walk of about 5 kilometers by one participant, but the activity is also built around farm visits and time at the cafe. It is a mixed rural experience, not a serious hiking expedition.

Families with children should consider the uneven trail, waterfall area, and dogs before booking. The supplied information does not give a minimum age or detailed child policy, so ask the provider directly if that matters for your group.

Should you book the Twin Beans Farm trek?

Book it if you want a low-cost, personal day outside Dalat with a private waterfall, a rare sturgeon farm visit, friendly dogs, and coffee at the source. The $10 price is hard to fault when the entrance fees, guide, water, welcome drink, and plantation tour are included.

The main conditions are simple: arrange transport carefully, wear shoes suited to uneven ground, and leave room in your schedule. If you can accept those small complications, this is one of the more distinctive ways to spend half a day in the Dalat countryside.

Skip it if you want a polished attraction with guaranteed facilities, fixed timing, or easy door-to-door transport. For everyone else, especially dog-lovers and coffee fans, Twin Beans Farm offers a rare mix of countryside access and good value.

FAQ

Where does the waterfall and sturgeon farm trek begin?

The activity begins at Twin Beans Farm in Da Sar commune, Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province, about 20 kilometers from Dalat downtown.

How far is Twin Beans Farm from central Dalat?

The farm is about 20 kilometers away, and the drive takes roughly 40 minutes.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $10 per person.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is three to six hours. Time can vary depending on the walk, time at the waterfall, and any coffee or food stop afterward.

Is the waterfall open to the public?

The waterfall is described as not publicly accessible. The activity includes the entrance fee and lets you visit it with the group.

Can I swim at the waterfall?

Swimwear is recommended, and the waterfall may be suitable for swimming or paddling. Follow the guide’s advice about conditions and where to enter the water.

Are dogs part of the walk?

The farm’s dogs commonly accompany the group on the trek. Their participation is a feature of the experience, but the number of dogs is not fixed.

Is transportation from Dalat included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You can reach the farm by motorbike, car, Grab, or taxi, with a taxi or Grab costing around 300,000 Vietnamese dong each way.

Can I add lunch or a workshop?

Lunch can be arranged for an extra cost. You can also combine the activity with a coffee workshop or scented candle workshop in the afternoon, while drinks at the coffee shop are purchased separately.