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Chiang Mai's national parks & motor loops | |||||||||||||||
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Last update: May 19, 2025
This is an overview of the national parks around Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. The closest one, Doi Suthep park, is the prominent mountain to the west of Chiang Mai; with the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep visible as a gleaming dot halfway up the mountain. Doi is Thai for mountain, so Doi Suthep means Suthep mountain.
Doi Suthep is very close to Chiang Mai; whereas Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain of Thailand, is at least two hours driving away (110km). There are a few more parks that are worth a visit, for example, not too far east are Mae Takhrai and Chae Son park. The high mountain range of Chae Son is just visible on clear days from a higher vantage point, like the higher floors of a hotel.
While Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon are popular destinations, fewer visitors head east to explore the tranquil mountain roads of Mae Takhrai and Chae Son parks. This is why I’ve included descriptions of a few routes through the "eastern ranges."
Most national parks have a visitor center with a Nature Trail, a walking or trekking route which usually starts at the headquarters.
These visitor centers are often situated near prominent landmarks such as waterfalls, hot springs, or lakes.
The condition of these trails varies widely; some are well-maintained and marked, while others are not maintained at all, making the experience unpredictable. Walks range from easy strolls of about an hour to more challenging hikes. For example, the Ob Luang trail forms a 1.2 km loop that takes about an hour to complete, while the Khun Chae trail may appear short at 3 km but is quite steep and demanding, and could take aboutto two hours to finish.
Some visitor centers provide maps and rangers who offer information, while others may not, leaving you to navigate on your own. Signs are usually in English and Thai. Due to occasional reports of lost hikers, some parks require you to sign in a log book at the visitor center, so staff know to look for you if you don’t return.
Distance from Chiang Mai and entry fees.
The highways north and south are busy roads, but the mountain ranges to the east and west of Chiang Mai are great for motorbike cruising. For the Samoeng loop you will have to start with a stretch on the busy highway 107 northwards, or the highway 108 southwards.
All of these routes through the national parks are free, except the Chae Son loop. which passes through the visitor center. The majority of the national parks' areas is absolutely free to drive though, they only charge an entry fee at the area around the visitors' center. The payable area is shown in yellow on the first map.
For passage through the parks see : Free passage through the parks.
Doi Suthep mountain is the focus of Doi Suthep National Park; the park area is more or less the full mountain. Doi Suthep is a relatively small mountain compared to the mountain ranges to the east of Chiang Mai.
Getting there is fairly straightforward: one can drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple on Doi Suthep in about half an hour, either by scooter or by taking a songthaew (a public transport pick-up). For most tourists, this temple is the only glimpse they get of the national parks in Chiang Mai Province. To fully explore the temple, one would need approximately an hour. Including the time it takes to travel from your hotel to the mountain, the entire excursion would take around three hours.
Entry fee: Doi Suthep park is free; there are only charges for the camping area.
Hot tip: the temple is always busy, but on Sundays half of Chiang Mai goes on a trip to the closest attraction, the temple on Doi Suthep. As a result, the parking lot fills up quickly, and there tends to be a large crowd.
Samoeng loop route, 100km. Duration: 3 hours, including a stop.
The Samoeng loop in Thailand is a breathtaking 100-kilometer ride on winding mountain roads around Doi Suthep mountain. It is renowned for its "Perfect curves," which are well-banked, smooth, and offer stunning views of the surrounding nature. Unlike the busy road to Pai, there is little traffic to worry about.
The loop winds around and through Doi Suthep–Pui National Park and takes you past a famous botanical garden, royal projects, and a few elephant parks.
The road's excellent condition and lack of traffic make it an ideal Easy rider route. All you have to do is lean your bike into the curve, open up the throttle and enjoy the ride.
Why not start your Samoeng sojourn not too early in the morning, when the temperature has risen a bit, and head north on highway 107. The highway up north is busy, and often has traffic jams. At Mae Rim, about 15 kilometers north of Chiang Mai, turn left onto road 1096, which will take you through the lush green countryside and towards the hills. There is a large "Samoeng" sign over the highway.
Mae Rim is a village on the highway 107, and has a few posh hotels and resorts. The Dara Pirom Palace Museum in Mae Rim is worth visiting, the museum is a historic wooden mansion which was home to the famous Lanna princess Dara Rasmi (or Rasami), who was one of the consorts of Chulalongkorn, King Rama V of Siam. Entry fee is 20 baht.
The Siam Insect Zoo should not be confused with the Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders in Chiang Mai town. The Museum of World Insects is a rather small, private museum, which focuses mainly on mosquito's and mosquito research, as well as a fossil collection. Thailand has no less than 450 individual mosquito species!
There are two non-profit royal projects on the Samoeng loop, both founded by King Bhumibol, with the aim of helping hill tribes achieve a better life, preventing deforestation, and promoting alternative agriculture. One of these projects, located on the side of Doi Mon Cham mountain (also known as Mon Jam), has become a popular tourist attraction.
Mon Cham was once a forest which transformed into a charming eco-agro-tourism destination. It is a collection of camping sites, strawberry farms, coffee plantations and lookout points on the side of a mountain. One can enjoy activities like kart riding and ziplining, and there is a large glamping area on the mountain, which is popular with Thai tourists.
As you enter the Mae Sa valley towards Samoeng, the road begins to twist and turn. There are a few elephant parks; once past these the road gets much quieter as it continues west towards Samoeng; you can drive through the beautiful valleys and mountains on a scenic twisty road dotted with villages, temples and forest.
A bit further on is the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden (QSBG) which is a famous mountainside arboretum and garden. This is the largest and best botanic garden in Thailand, set against a mountainside in a large forest. More here: QSBG Garden.
Soon you go up into higher altitudes, and find out that this northern side of the mountain is cold. You did put on enough warm clothing for the ride? After the Samoeng Forest viewpoint the road leads downhill, until you reach a T-crossing. At this junction, you have the option to turn right and drive 10-minutes through the strawberry fields of the Samoeng valley.
After a few more hairpins turns, you arrive at the small village of Samoeng. Although the village has just one coffee shop, there are a few restaurants. For a well-deserved lunch break, I recommend visiting Supanee's eatery. Supanee's restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine at modest prices. For a drink and icecream there is the Monkey coffee shop.
From Samoeng, return to the T-crossing; keep on going straight on road 1269, which will take you along the ridge of the mountains and offer great views of the valley below. There are a few amazing downhill stretches here which are even better than the first half of the loop.
And if you keep your eyes on the left side, after the long downhill stretch there is some kind of bungalow park, with a lot of very small artistic holiday cottages, which is worth a visit. It is called Phu Jaya Clay House, and seems to cater mostly to Thai tourists. There are no signs, so it is easy to miss. The room rate for the very small cottages is well over 200 euros, and perhaps that is why there seem to be few visitors here. Worth a look around anyway.
Next to Phu Jaya Clay House is the very nice Royal Rose Garden, a large rose plantation with a cafe / restaurant. It has a large Thai food menu with limited western options, but has good drink selection including coffee and also some delicious cakes. The official entrance to the rose garden is just a bit further down the main road, the exit is signed in english and thai. Entry is free.
There are more resorts and coffee shops on the way back, like the Belle Villa Resort Chiangmai, and the large The Doi Resort and Restaurant, which is right on the roadside and has good cappuccino, nice cakes, and a wonderful view. As you continue on this road, you'll pass through several small villages, each with its own unique charm.
The full "Samoeng loop" around Doi Suthep is about 100 kilometers and takes about 3 hours on a motorcycle or scooter. The roads are in good order, the traffic is light and thus it is an easy trip.
Doi Suthep is either busy or crowded, but there is an unexplored area to the eastern side Chiang Mai: Mae Takhrai and Chae Son park. Mae Takhrai park is known for its picturesque rice fields and hot springs. Visitors can trek through the park's forest, or bathe in the natural hot springs. And because these parks are large and very few tourists travel there; one can enjoy plenty of birds and butterflies instead of busy roads.
Mae Takhrai park is surrounded by mountains with an altitude of 400 to 2031 meters; this national park includes rain forests and mountains of limestone. There are hot springs, small lakes and reservoirs surrounded by densely forested hillsides. By the way, the Thai word "Takhrai" means Lemon grass.
Mae Takhrai, with 1114 square kilometers, is the largest park around Chiang Mai. It has three separate entrances; the headquarters is right on highway number 118 to Chiang Rai, and there is also a visitors' center and nature trail at the village of Mae Takhrai further south. Entry is free.
Mae Takhrai loop route, 110km. Duration: 3 hours.
To see the less visited parks and pristine nature of Chiang Mai province, head east towards Mae Takhrai and Chae Son national park. In less than an hour's drive (about 35 kilometer) on highway 118 you can be in Mae Takhrai national park.
The Mae Takhrai loop (see map below) follows the half circle of the Mae Tha fault line; the fault is visible as a valley around Chiang Mai. Starting from Chiang Mai it is about 110 kilometers.
A clockwise route from Chiang Mai could be:
Head northeast on Highway 118, passing Doi Saket. About 30 kilometers from Chiang Mai, you'll reach Ban Pong village. Look for a large overhead sign for Mae On and take the right-hand exit just past a pedestrian overpass. To get to Ban Pong Din, move to the center of Highway 118, and make a sharp right turn.
Once in the village of Ban Pong Din, take the first small road right to find a surprising teak house in the shape of a Japanese temple. This mansion is private, but so large that one may catch a glimpse of it from the roadside. Someone has spent a fortune on hardwood beams to build this fantastic replica.
Another surprise in the same area is the Don Yen arboretum. This small arboretum is open to the public, and part of a low-key private bungalow resort called Penny's cabins.
Driving east, past the hot springs of Ban Pong Din, continue on road number 3005, which must be one of the most scenic twisty roads around Chiang Mai. Quick sharp turns on a winding little road, ricefields and villages left and right, what more do you want on a motorbike?
Pass through the village of Huai Kaeo, and about 500 meter further make a left turn into road number 1230. There are no signs for Mae Takhrai park, but one of the many signs says "Ban Khun Tha". Ban Khun Tha is a village further down road nr 1230. The last part of this road has been constructed in 2017.
Follow the road past small villages and pretty soon you will get to the entrace of the park. Past the first village in the park there are fruit tree plantations, and on the telephone wires there are often colorfull bee-eaters. These are brightly colored and flamboyant little birds, easy to spot but difficult to photograph as they're small and quick.
Slowly wind your way up the hills on the twisty but very quiet and easy road through Mae Takhrai Park. This wide 2-lane road has no traffic and is easy to drive, except for a stretch of 1 or 2 kilometers with potholes. Slow down and avoid these with care.
After a while you'll spot a large pink temple: Wat Mae Ta Khrai. Wat Mae Tha Krai is a temple complex situated near the Mae Ta Khrai National Park visitor center. On the right side of the road is the temple, with two huge statues of the revered monk Khuba Siwichai; on the left side is the road to the visitor center.
Wat Mae Tha Krai has a rather outragous "Zombie display", with statues depicting the Buddhist hell. A most entertaining temple to make a short visit and have a look at the many, many ways in which one could be tortured in the afterlife. Only if one has collected bad karma, don't worry.
On a side note, hell is not part of the original Buddhist teaching. The early Buddhist sutras stressed that there was no god or other supernatural intelligence passing judgments or giving guidance. Buddhism asserts that life does include suffering, but there is no place or afterlife like the Christian hell. There is however the concept of karma, and reincarnation. Karma means action, cause and consequence. If one accumulates too much bad karma, one might reincarnate as as dog. So be kind to your snappy pooch, he may have been a human who misstepped in his last life. Now all he can do is bark and be grumpy.
At the next crossing turn right onto road number 1229 which brings you to Mae On and to the nicely winding fast highway number 1006 through small villages back to Chiang Mai. San Kamphaeng is a nice place for a lunch or coffee stop. On the 1006 road, before and after San Kamphaeng there are 2 museums, more info here: museum.
There is a Nature Trail near the visitors center on road number 1230, which starts around the lake and follows the stream. This visitor center is easy to miss, though there is a large sign on road 1230. If you go past Wat Mae Tha Krai and admire the pink temple, you have just missed it.
The Mae Takhrai reservoir is surrounded by mixed deciduous forest and bamboo forest. There is a 3 kilometres trekking route around the reservoir. Two camping spots are available around the lake. There are also ricefields anywhere east of Chiang Mai, just turn south at Doi Saket and get off the main roads.
A possible extention of the Takhrai loop is a visit to Mae Kampong village, which is about 10 kilometers drive from Huay Kaeo on a twisty mountain road.
Chae Son is pronounced as "Jae Sorn" by Thai people, and they don't understand "Chae Son". This is one of the highest forest parks in Northern Thailand; and with an area of 592 square kilometers much larger than Doi Suthep park. The mountain range that runs north-south through Chae Son forms the border between the provinces of Lampang and Chiang Mai. Doi Langka is the highest mountain of the range at 2031 meters. The high mountains and cool temperatures make Chae Son Park very suitable for growing coffee and tea, and small coffee, tea and banana plantations are dotted along the road.
The Chae Son loop is not on the tourist radar at all. Driving along the twisty, quiet mountain road, amidst beautiful scenery, you'll rarely see other cars - perhaps an occasional meeting with a villager on a small motorbike. Small, remote mountain villages are nestled in grand forest valleys.
Getting there: Below is a map of Chae Son park and the headquarter and visitor area on the eastern side. From Chiang Mai the headquarters/visitors center of Chae Son park is a 2 hour trip; up the highway 118 and then the mountain road number 1252 right through the national park.
The Chae Son park visitor center has an entry fee of 200 baht for foreigners.
More: www.thainationalparks.com
Chae Son loop route, 180km. Duration: 5 hours, including a stop.
Start your journey in Chiang Mai by crossing the Nawarat Bridge and heading northeast on Highway 118 towards Chiang Rai. After about 50 km, look for a large sign pointing to Chae Hom and make a sharp right turn onto Road 1252. This scenic mountain road winds through forests and ridges, reaching altitudes between 600 and 1400 meters, ensuring cool, refreshing air.
Once you leave the busy and monotonous Highway 118, the scenery changes dramatically. The narrow, winding Road 1252 is lined with tall trees and deep forest. As soon as you enter the forest, the road begins to climb steeply, and the temperature drops noticeably.
You're now in the highlands where the cooler climate is perfect for growing coffee and tea, along with small banana plantations tended by local villagers. These remote settlements often consist of just a few simple houses with corrugated iron roofs, nestled in the mountains.
Continue southeast along Road 1252 for about 1,5 hours to reach the Chae Son Visitors Center. Near Chae Son town, there will be a clear sign directing you to turn off the 1252 into the park. The entrance fee at the visitors center is 200 baht for foreigners.
At the visitors center, you’ll find hot springs flowing into ponds scattered across a large grassy field dotted with rocks. Several small eateries offer snacks, drinks, and eggs which you can cook in the 70-80°C hot spring water. For a more relaxing experience, there are smaller pools with cooler water where visitors can take a dip. There are also cabins next to the springs for private bathing.
In addition to the hot springs, there is a short hiking trail that leads to the 6-level Chae Son Waterfall. The highest waterfall is less than 1 km upstream, nestled in a narrow gorge and a short walk away. As you walk along the trail, take a moment to admire the creek ponds filled with large shoals of fish, swimming upstream endlessly, day and night, for eternity.
The Chae Son Waterfalls are taller and more impressive than the nearby Mae Kampong Waterfall. If you're up for a longer hike, the full Chae Son Waterfall nature trail stretches through the gorge, covering 3 kilometers. This well-marked and popular trail takes about 3 hours to complete and is a rewarding hike up and down the gorge amidst lush greenery.
There are eateries, snack stands, and picknick opportunities at the visitors area.
Returning back to Chiang Mai, please note that the southern part of the Chae Son loop is a small concrete road with some very steep sections. One needs to apply full braking for some long stretches. This part is not suitable for a scooter.
Back in Huay Kaeo one can choose to go back via the 1317 road to San Kamphaeng, which is a nice place for a coffee stop. It is also possible to drive back on a bit shorter route to Ban Pong, and go back on highway 118 to Chiang Mai.
After one of these steep stretches one passes through the charming village of Mae Kampong. Mae Kampong is a charming mountain village nestled in the lush, forested hills of Chiang Mai province, about 50 kilometers east of Chiang Mai city. Known for its cool climate, serene atmosphere, and traditional way of life, it has become a popular eco-tourism destination while still retaining its authenticity. At an altitude of 1300 meters, Mae Kampong is ideal for growing tea, and coffee cultivation.
A few years ago, village leaders began developing Mae Kampong as an ecotourism destination, transforming it into a popular travel spot. While the village retains its charm, not all the houses are authentic old buildings. Some are newly constructed alongside the traditional ones; for instance, one building is a three-story restaurant, an surprising sight in a remote mountain village.
There are local cafes and restaurants on the small road through the village. There is also a waterfall and it is possible to go round the back of the main street homes and shops and follow the stream downhill past little temple shrines.
Is it worth travelling slightly more than an hour from Chiang Mai to this tiny mountain village? There are many mountain villages in Chae Son and Mae Takhrai park which are more authentic and are not tourist-hotspots. However, these usually do not have cafes and restaurants, and few english speaking villagers. Mae Kampong is not fully authentic anymore, but still charming. Therefore it's worth a visit, have a cappucino and look at the other visitors, Thai, Asian, well-dressed Chinese that are walking down the road and sampling the street-food: barbecued northern sausages, chicken sticks or roasted frogs.
If roasted frog is not to your taste, you can try a sweet Japanese delicacy: a squishy squashy Daifuku. Daifuku is a unique confection made of bean paste and chocolate; and wrapped around a beautiful local strawberry.
For a one-time visit to Mae Kampong, it might be best to rent a car or scooter and do the Takhrai loop, and perhaps go by a museum. Be aware that the village is located in a mountain valley on a steep slope. One needs a powerful scooter with good brakes. Because it is a very popular getaway on weekends, it is better to go there on weekdays, or perhaps try a homestay.
But beware booking a homestay; some hotels and homestay now charge absurd prices, of over 100 euro. It is overtouristed, and there are alternatives. If you don't want to pay silly prices; just a short distance away from Mae Kampong the hotels charge more reasonable rates. For example resorts like Tharntong Lodge and Huan Kaw Fang charge much less per night.
How to go to Mae Kampong with public transport? From the riverside at Warorot Market (Chiang Mai’s central market), vans depart regularly for Mae Kampong for 150 THB. The trip lasts 1,5 hours.
Ob Khan National Park is one of the lesser-known parks; and overlooked by foreign tourists because it is overshadowed by Doi Suthep on the north side, and Doi Inthanon to the south. Both Suthep and Inthanon park have become popular with tourists, and Thai people like to keep the nice, quiet Ob Khan to themselves.
Surprisingly, it's located just 26 kilometers from Chiang Mai, a drive of a little over half an hour. Upon arrival in the park, visitors will find a small booth where a park ranger notes down license plates and names; if you get lost they'll go looking for you.
The 3km trail, a narrow and somewhat rocky footpath, winds through the forest alongside the river. After just 150 meters, you'll reach the park's main attraction: the picturesque Ob Khan Gorge. The steep gorge is created by the fast flowing Mae Khan river. The trail forms a loop, bringing you back to your starting point, with only a few short, steep sections, which should take about 1,5 hours. It’s a relatively easy hike with a few inclines and descents and some splendid views of the fast flowing water through the Ob Khan Gorge. On a hot day, one can also do the shorter 1,5 km up-and-down return walk along the gorge.
In the vicinity of Ob Khan Park is the Chiang Mai Grand canyon, which is not a canyon but a pretty grand water park, geared towards big children and adults. This so-called "Grand canyon" is actually an abandoned old mine pit which later became a deep pond.
There are few english signs to Ob Khan park; the canal road south of Chiang Mai has no signs so it's a bit of a gamble where to head west. Currently, there is no entrance fee for this park.
Most of the national parks are free to drive though, though they sometimes charge an entry fee between 100 to 300 baht at the area around the visitor center. To avoid these fees, one can visit the park instead of the visitors' center.
MORE Info on park fees: Free passage through the parks.
Entry fees are only charged for the visitors center and camping area of the park. Mae Takhrai, Ob Khan, Khun Chae and Si Lanna park are all free.
MORE and longer trips around Northern Thailand: Longer trips.
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"Travel is not a vacation, it's an experience.".
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The Siam Insect Zoo in Mae Rim is well worth a visit. An amazing collection of insects from around the world, with museum rooms filled with fascinating displays. There's also a live section showcasing tarantulas, a butterfly garden, lizards, scorpions, and various bugs—everything except snakes! The friendly staff provide insightful information and even allow visitors to hold some of the animals; e.g. tarantulas and scorpions (only the non-venomous ones). Entry is 200 baht.
