Thailand, the land of smiles, is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Southeast Asia. The vibrant cities, the oh-so-delicious cuisine, the gorgeous temples, the pristine beaches and the lush green forests of Thailand attract large number of people from all over the world to this country every year. While most people arrive in Thailand for its tourist attractions, there are a handful of people who are more interested in its beautiful, rugged trails. The mountains and rainforests of Thailand are some of the best hiking spots in the world.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Thailand to Add to Your Bucket List
1.Chiang Rai
Located in Northern Thailand, Chiang Rai is one of the places to hike in the country. You have a range of trails to choose from, depending on whether you want to go on a casual stroll or a strenuous hike. But, whichever path you choose, your reward is that you get to view breathtaking vistas. Apart from this, you would also get to see verdant jungles, charming tribal villages, ruins of ancient settlements, historical remains, beautiful rice fields, etc. Nature lovers can also go for jungle trekking, but be ready for a tough hiking expedition.
2.Chiang Dao
Imagine rolling hills filled with greenery! Breathtaking, wouldn’t that be? Chiang Dao in Thailand offers exactly this. Nature enthusiasts who want to take a break from the crowd of the city should visit Chiang Dao for its amazing hiking expeditions. One of the highlights of visiting this place is that you get to hike on Doi Luang Chiang Doa, which is the third highest peak in the country. You also get to visit tribal villages and at the same time experience the wildlife of the place, which consists of at least 300 species of birds.
3.Umphang
This one lies between Bangkok and Chiang Mai and gives you the chance to explore the natural wilderness of Thailand in the best possible way. The major highlight of trekking in Umphang is that you get to see the Tee Lor Su Waterfall, which is 200 meter high and is three-tired. It is also one of the main attractions of the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. In short, hiking trails of Umphang would take you through the wildlife sanctuary and give you the chance to see some wildlife of the place. You can also visit the village of the Karen tribe (tribals who have long and ringed necks) in this region.
4.Khao Luang Mountain Sukhothai
Located inside the Ramkhamhaeng National Park, where you would find a small mountain range named Khao Luang. The trail measures up to 1200 meters, and it takes around four hours to reach the top. To make the most of it, opt for a 2 days excursion, so that you get a chance to camp on the mountain overnight. While the view from the mountain is gorgeous during the day, the view at night is enchanting. It takes at least 4 hours to cover the entire hiking trail during which you get to see mysterious caves, bamboo forests and big dipterocarp trees.
5.Doi Inthanon
Part of the Doi Inthanon National Park, the Doi Inthanon is the highest peak in all of Thailand. The spectacular view from the top makes it one of the most popular hiking spots in the country. During your hiking expedition, you would come across incredible valleys, beautiful terraced rice fields and several tribal villages. But there is nothing compared to what you would be able to see at the tip. Apart from three extraordinary waterfalls, you also get to see a mist that hangs around the peak, almost all year around. Moreover, you also get the chance to see some unique wildlife and wild flowers along the way.
6.Soppong
You may think that the hiking scene in Thailand is only about mountains, jungles and tribal villages. But if you want to experience something different, Soppong is the place to go to. You would find several hiking trails in this region, each giving you the opportunity to view breathtaking landscape. However, what makes this place stand out from the rest of the hiking trails in Thailand is that the place is known for its underground river and cave system and is a great place to for cave exploration. Apart from hiking, Soppong is also a great place for rafting, visiting tribal villages and going on a motorbike tour on mountain roads.
7.Kamphaeng Phet
If you want to see something more than mountains, forests and wildlife during your hiking expedition, Kamphaeng Phet is the place to visit. The western part of the city is home to national parks with high mountains and lush green forests. However, it is area near the Ping River that attracts most people to the city. Here, you would get the opportunity to explore some ancient ruins with some beautiful statues of Buddha. Kamphaeng Phet is the ideal place for a leisurely hike.
8.Hua Hin
If you have never going on a hiking trip but really want to explore the locales of Thailand, Hua Hin is the place to go. Here you would find a unique way of hiking with elephant trekking. Rather than donning your sports shoes for a tiring trek, here you can relax and enjoy beautiful nature of Hua Hin while sitting on top of an elephant. While the trekking trip would be enjoyable, you would also get to interact with the elephants more closely while bathing and feeding them. You would also be able enjoy these fuzzy animals riding a bicycle, playing basketball and soccer, etc.
9.Khao Pom
Ko Samui offers some of the beaches in Thailand but if you find the crowd on the beaches too overwhelming and touristy, get ready for a hike on Khao Pom, which is a large mountain on the middle of the island. This 2000 feet high mountain is home to lush green forests and a haven for nature enthusiasts. Moreover, the view of the great blue ocean from the top makes the hike even more worthwhile.
If you have fulfilled the Thailand tourist visa requirements and got a Thailand visa, you can explore one of these hiking spots during your holiday. However, these are just a few of the many hiking adventures in Thailand. To make the most of the experience, it would be best to go on a hike along with a local hiking guide.