Best Places For Trekking In Thailand

Edited by: Bhawna Nijhawan

Summary :- There are several trekking destinations throughout Thailand, and each is spectacular in its own way. As you trek here, you’ll pass through many villages, national parks, dams, and more. The following are some of the best trekking destinations in Thailand. Feel the adrenaline rush as you explore these!

Trekking is a popular activity in Thailand. You just have to get on two feet to explore beautiful mountains and pristine rainforests. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating country by exploring its remote hill tribes barely touched by civilization, as well as meeting enthusiastic and passionate local guides. Grab a heavy-duty insect repellent, sunscreen & anti-leech socks, lace up those hiking boots, and get ready. Here are the best places for trekking in Thailand:

Mae Sariang

Until now, this place was known as a hidden town in northern Thailand, but nowadays Mae Sariang is gaining popularity as a destination for trekkers seeking solitude and peace. Trekking to this destination will take you past several tiny hamlets, wonderful waterfalls, wooded hills, and long rice fields.

Discover the stunning beauty of Mae Sariang by trekking through the local villages, enjoying the local foods, and admiring the magnificent beauty around you. It’s easy to hike to Mae Sariang, which makes it perfect for beginners like me. The hike gave me a chance to learn about the local tribes and their cultures. It was fun staying with them and trying some regional food. I was blown away by the breathtaking waterfalls, rice fields, and enchanting forested hills! 

Location: Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand

Best time to visit: November to March

Must-have things: Water bottle, munching items

General Tip: In the summer, it can get quite hot outside when the sun is out and the sky is clear, so pack several breathable shirts to keep you cool

Phu Lang Ka

The trekking spot is one of the most beautiful in Thailand, full of lush green valleys, wooded plains, exotic flora and fauna, and lots of cascades. The 12km trekking trail passes Phu Lang Ka National Park and leads to Phu Lang Ka town at the end of your journey. You can get great food at restaurants located alongside the trail.

Overall, this trek is wonderful, and it is ideal for beginners since it is almost like a nature walk. There are moderate steps that will lead you to the place where you can catch a stunning view of sunrise or sunset. I believe that this trek offers an amazing opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about Thailand and its people.

Location: Phayao, Thailand

Best time to visit: May to December

Must-have things: Trekking shoes or hiking boots, Torchlight

General Tip: A good camera is a must for your trip to Phu Lang Ka so you can capture all the wonderful moments you might experience.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a wonderful place for trekking in Thailand, with beautiful forests, valleys, and rivers, such as the Pin and Maetang, as well as plenty of tribal villages. Among the most popular hiking options in this area are Baan Pha Dang Trek, Muang Kurt to Huay Kukap Trek, and Lisu Tribe Trek.

An adventure trekking trip in this part of Thailand is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. Overall, I think Chiang Mai is a great place to trek if you are an amateur. It is also a good idea to choose a tour operator that specializes in Thailand hiking tours and has extensive knowledge of this region since it is a large area.

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Best time to visit: October to May

Must-have things: Trekking Map, Medical kit

General Tip: Wearing sunglasses is beneficial to prevent the sun from damaging your precious eyes. It is especially important when hiking or trekking in Chiang Mai as it’s a sunny area. 

Chiang Rai

As one of Thailand’s best trekking locations, Chiang Rai is full of natural attractions that make it a traveler’s paradise. The best way to truly understand a culture is through slow travel, and this laidback trek through Chiang Rai does just that. I’ve been to this region, and I can tell you that trekking here is superb.

Chiang Rai’s mountainous areas have a lot of hill tribes, allowing visitors to see ethnic villages that not many people get to see during their visit. In Chiang Rai, trekking is usually through high mountainous regions and dense jungles, so make sure to pack warm clothing as temperatures can be low at high altitudes as well as wear comfortable shoes.

Location: Mueang Chiang Rai, Thailand

Best time to visit: October to February

Must-have things: Warm clothes, hiking boots

General Tip: If you plan to hike in Chiang Rai, take athletic clothing. A bathing suit is also required for waterfalls and hot springs. 

Mae Salong

Several hiking trails are available around Mae Salong. Keep in mind that Mae Salong is on a steep ridge, so there can be a lot of climbing and descending involved. Also, let me tell you that there’s nothing too traditional or off the beaten path since all the nearby villages are connected by sealed roads and municipal electric cables.

Most of the surrounding landscape is covered by plantations and orchards instead of wild jungles. As far as I know, there are no trekking agencies in town, but you can ask your guesthouse/hotel staff for advice and maps, and you can also see the villages, paths, and roads outlined across the valley from most restaurants and cafe terraces.

Location: Doi Mae Salong, Thailand

Best time to visit: December to February

Must-have things: Good hiking boots, first-aid kit

General Tip: Since Mae Salong is on a steep ridge, any hike will involve arduous climbs and descents, so be careful.

Hua Hin

If you don’t go elephant trekking while you’re in Thailand, you’re making a terrible mistake. You can experience this amazing trek in Hua Hin, an area known for its elephant camps, hilly terrain, and forest areas. Camping and trekking in this area will give you a taste of Thailand’s breathtaking natural beauty.

There are several options here for elephant trekking, including Elephant Village and Safari, and Adventure Park. If walking becomes too exhausting, you can also ride the elephant. In addition to trekking, you can also interact with the gentle animals here. You can feed them, bathe them, and have a lot of fun with them.

Location: Near Bangkok, Thailand

Best time to visit: November to February

Must-have things: Camera, munching snacks

General Tip: Pack extra bathing clothes if you plan to bathe the elephants after trekking.

Kamphaeng Phet 

In addition to being popular as a trekking destination, Kamphaeng Phet is also known for its cultural and natural attractions as well as its historical significance. You’ll find lots of national parks with fertile forests and high mountains if you trek towards the west, but mostly flatlands if you trek towards the east.

There are ancient ruins scattered all over the province that you’ll love exploring while hiking. Since Kamphaeng Phet is deemed a religious destination by the locals, it is important that you respect the Buddhist shrines, statues, and monuments there. My favorite thing about this peaceful province in Thailand is its natural beauty and raw culture.

Location: Kamphaeng Phet Province, Thailand

Best time to visit: November to January

Must-have things: Hand sanitizer, Sunscreen

General Tip: During the night, it gets colder here, so you should bring items such as scarves, socks, and gloves.

Khao Sok 

Would you like to go on jungle treks in Thailand? Then Khao Sok trekking should be on your bucket list. On this 11-kilometer trek, you will find diverse flora and fauna as well as stunning waterfalls. There are many other natural attractions along the trekking trail, including crystal-clear lakes, stunning camps, and mysterious caves.

I have visited Khao Sok once for a jungle trek to add some adventure to my trip to Thailand. In addition to trekking, there were several other adventure sports I enjoyed, such as camping at night, rock climbing, etc. If you also plan to hike this trail, make sure you carry some anti-leech socks so you can stay protected from leeches.

Location: Surat Thani, Thailand

Best time to visit: December to March

Must-have things: Anti-leech socks, insect repellent

General Tip: If you are hiking here, you will find so many natural attractions that you want to take pictures of that you will need a portable charger or power bank to keep your phone charged. 

Doi Inthanon 

One of the best places to go trekking in Thailand is Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. Three impressive waterfalls cascade down the falls, adding to the beauty of this mountain, and mist surrounds the peak for most of the year. As you trek to the top, you will pass small villages, lovely valleys, and terraced rice fields.

The mist-covered upper slopes are home to nearly 400 species of birds and a wide range of orchids, epiphytes, lichens, and mosses. In fact, Doi Inthanon is one of the last habitats for the Asiatic black bear, as well as the Phayre’s leaf monkey, the Assamese macaque, and a variety of monkeys and gibbons. 

Location: Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Best time to visit: May to November

Must-have things: First-aid kit, raincoat

General Tip: It can be risky to do a Doi Inthanon trek alone, so be sure to have an experienced guide with you

Khao Luang 

Honestly, I was unsure whether to recommend this trek to you or not because it is quite a difficult one, but I would still like to mention Khao Luang on this list because this trek would offer an experience you will never forget.

It is an incredibly beautiful hiking trail, and no matter how tired you are, you can’t miss it! Trekking the rocky trails of Khao Luang leads to dense forests, and camping at night there is the perfect way to see the beautiful sunrise the next day. There are several levels of difficulty associated with this trek, depending on your level of hiking experience. All I can say is that a hike here can fully satiate a hiker’s soul! 

Location: Phipun District, Thailand

Best time to visit: October to February

Must-have things: Socks, hiking pants, trekking map

General Tip: If you are hiking in the sunlight here, wear a hiking hat and sunscreen during the day so you do not get sunburned.

Also Read :- Best Tourist Places to Visit in Thailand

Useful Tips For Trekking In Thailand

Many people go to Thailand to enjoy its pristine white beaches and warm tropical waters, as well as for trekking. While trekking has become increasingly popular in Thailand, you can still find off-the-beaten-track trails here. Below are some of the useful tips to ensure you have an authentic trekking experience in Thailand.

Do Your Research

My first tip? Do your research. Aside from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai’s trails (which are pretty spectacular on their own), you might also want to check out Mae Salong, Mae Sariang, and Kamphaeng Phet, which are lesser-known trek spots. These places are less popular, but they are home to many National Parks, waterfalls, caves, and hill tribe villages. Choose a trail that suits your interests and do some research on different places. 

Trek with a Good Agency

The Thai tourism industry has grown rapidly over the last few years, with hundreds of trekking agencies offering trekking tours in the mountains. There are many legitimate agencies, but there are also many fake ones. They will not deliver on their promises, bring you to a forest near you, and give you the “cheapest” experience they can. Having personally experienced this, I strongly recommend that you go with a reputable agency.

Trek To Your Level Of Fitness

Even though the hikes in Thailand are particularly easy to trek, it is always a good idea to hike within your level of fitness. During a trek, you are supposed to have fun and enjoy yourself, not be physically challenged to the point where you cannot walk the following day. The trekking distance may sometimes appear short, but if it involves a series of uphill climbs, then you might want to reconsider your decision.

Make Sure You Have The Right Gear

No matter if your trek takes two days or five days, be prepared with everything you might need. Pack in accordance with the weather. I’ve spent too many nights in the jungle soaked in the rain because I forgot to bring a raincoat. Also, you’ll definitely want to wear hiking boots on some treks in Thailand, like Khao Sok as leeches are a common problem there. Always remember to bring sunscreen and an insect repellant. 

Remember To Be Respectful

It is likely that you will come across hill tribe villages wherever you trek in Thailand. Instead of gawking at them constantly, always ask, smile, and treat them with respect. Engage with them and you will be pleasantly surprised. Also remember to pay respect to all Buddhist shrines, statues, and monuments you encounter while trekking.

FAQs

What is the longest trek in Thailand?

The longest trekking route in Thailand connects Chiang Mai City to Chiang Dao, the country’s largest mountain range. There are many remote hill-tribe areas along this trail, such as Karen valleys and Hmong high countries, and you would also pass through beautiful jungles, stunning rice fields, and gorgeous viewpoints.

What is the most beautiful mountain in Thailand?

The most popular & beautiful mountain in Thailand is Doi Inthanon, known for its waterfalls, trails, remote villages, sunrises, and sunsets. There are three waterfalls cascading down this mountain, adding to its beauty. Trekking on Doi Inthanon is one of the best things to do in Thailand.

Does Thailand have good hikes?

Thailand has an abundance of beautiful hiking trails. With untouched jungles, spectacular waterfalls, and mountain towns, Thailand has great hiking opportunities since it has so much natural beauty. If you are planning a trip to Thailand, it is highly recommended to take a hike and see some of Thailand’s raw beauty for yourself.