Those of you that look further than the beaches of Thailand know that there is so much more beautiful nature to enjoy here. In Chiang Mai, the mountain- and hill country features amazing trekking trails. Sure, Doi Suthep next to the city gives you a taste, but go a little further and be amazed. This blog is your road map to where the best trekking and hiking opportunities in Chiang Mai lie.

Around and about Chiang Mai province

Chiang Mai is a city in a valley that is flanked to the west by a large mountain range. Go north, and it takes you to Chiang Dao and Pha Daeng National Park. Go south, and the ridge leads you to Mae Wang National Park. Then, directly south of that, Doi Inthanon National Park. The peaks dive into flowing hills and into peaks again, covered by a thick jungle canopy and dotted with villages and rice paddies. In contrast with the busy inner city, the country-side is sparsely populated. This area is the home of many hill-tribes such as the Hmong and Karen.

These three parks are all within driving distance of the city and sport fantastic hiking trails, excellent for short and long treks. A bonus is that they are all higher up, so a great way to escape the heat. But how do they compare? They're all great, but to help you make a choice, we have put the Doi Inthanon, Mae Wang and Chiang Dao trekking options side by side.

The definition of a National Park: Doi Inthanon

Doi Inthanon is home to the Karen and Hmong hill-tribes that grow coffee, macadamias, and strawberries on the mountainside. Moving into Thailand over the past centuries, they prefer to live high up. Trekking around the mountain, trails go around and through their farms and plantations. You will see farmers go about their business and probably will have a couple of lazy oxen moo at you as you pass. The park features some of the most stunning views, waterfalls, and nature you'll find anywhere in northern Thailand. In the Northern Thai dialect, Doi means 'mountain.' Doi Inthanon, at 2,565 meters (8,415 feet), is Thailand's highest mountain. Established in 1972, the National Park is a 482 km2 preservation area, protecting the unique make-up of the area and its hill-tribe population. The Hmong and Karen villages dot the mountain and surrounding hills, its inhabitants holding on to traditional culture and skills. One such skill is jungle foraging, which the better trekking guides can instruct you on. Their respect for nature allows local species to survive. Wild monkeys and gibbons, two rare goat-antelope creatures (Goral and Serow), several unique flowers and plants, and others are allowed to flourish. The better trekking- and sightseeing-tours support the tribes and help the government generate income to upkeep the park.

Trekking and sightseeing at Doi Inthanon

You don't need to be a hardcore hiker to experience Doi Inthanon. If you just want to see the sights and do a short 20-minute hike on the Angkha nature trail, then we recommend our Doi Inthanon – Full day sightseeing day trip. You will see the impressive Wachirathan waterfall and drink the freshest coffee at a White Karen village. During a short hike on a boardwalk that lasts about 20 minutes, you will follow a refreshing mountain stream flanked by trees covered in moss, flourishing because of the year-round humidity in the park. A visit to the beautifully decorated twin pagodas, dedicated to the late King and Queen, is included. Of course, visiting the summit and Thailand's highest point is as well.

Alternatively, if you opt for our Doi Inthanon – One day eco trekking and sightseeing tour, our expert guide Boom will take you on a 2-hour hike on the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail. On this trip, she explains how tribal villagers apply traditional skills in the forest to make medicine, tools and forage for food. We will walk past viewpoints, rice fields, and coffee plantations.

A similar option is the Heaven Trail and Maeklang Elephant Sanctuary tour. On this trip, you visit the Maeklang Elephant Sanctuary Sky Camp in the morning. This beautiful elephant sanctuary is in Doi Inthanon National Park at an elevation of 1000 meters. The elephants roam free around the park and have lots of space to do what they love the most: eating and bathing. You will be able to feed the elephants, bathe them, and observe their daily routines. After lunch at the Maeklang Sky Camp, we will continue to Doi Inthanon National Park to visit the King and Queen Pagoda, the highest point in Thailand, and hike the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail.

Doi Inthanon is an important symbol for the Thai people. The Twin Pagodas near its summit testify to that. It also means it receives many tourists, particularly around Thai national holidays. So, if you are looking for something more off the beaten track and secluded, Keep reading!

Mae Wang National Park

Located directly north of Doi Inthanon, Mae Wang National Park covers an area of about 700 km2. Like Doi Inthanon, the area is covered with several types of forest. At different heights and humidity-levels, the types of trees, plants, and wildlife can vary greatly. Pay close attention during your trek, and you will see the jungle change around you. And ask your guide what to look for, of course! The Mae Wang area waterfalls are numerous and beautiful. For example, the Khun Puai Waterfall, a three-story 45-meter spectacle, is also the source of Mae Wang River. Of course, you can take a nice refreshing swim around and in the waterfalls during our trekking tours in Mae Wang. The Mae Wang river is excellent to travel by bamboo raft, and it's something we offer as part of our one, two, and three-day trekking tours here. Water has done a lot to shape Mae Wang National Park, producing some impressive caves and dramatic rock formations that we also visit as part of the treks.

For those that love hiking: Multi-day Trekking Tours

At Mae Wang National Park, especially the two- and three-day trekking trips are worth it. You stay the nights at authentic Karen hill-tribe villages, where you cook and eat together and enjoy the night chill by a campfire. We think its the perfect way to slow down and enjoy the sights to your heart's content. Excellent guides, such as Ada, Pong, Pat, Juy, Watt, Peck, or Khum from the Maewin and Family Trekking, have the experience and knowledge to ensure you have a great time. By the way, did we mention the bathing in waterfalls along the trek?

At Mae Wang: Elephants included (but no riding)

Another excellent guide is called Rambo, and he is your Sherpa on the Exclusive Jungle Trekking - Two days tour. This trip is our most relaxed overnight trek in Chiang Mai and is recommended for beginners and families. We will visit the Karen Elephant Project to bathe and feed the elephants. The hiking is much easier with a maximum distance of 10 kilometers per day and lots of stops at waterfalls to refresh and relax. We will spend the night at a Karen Village to cook, eat, and drink together. We end the trek with an hour of bamboo rafting on the Mae Wang river, so bring your swim shorts!

Check out the video below created by YouTube stars Keith and Dev while on our Exclusive Jungle Trekking tour. Spoiler alert, it’s awesome!

A hidden trekking gem at Chiang Dao

We like to say that Chiang Dao is probably Thailand's best-kept secret. From the first time we visited it, we fell in love with how 'untouched' it is. Though trekking isn't exactly mass-tourism, Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary (how Pha Daeng National Park is aptly called) is exceptional. The town itself is, for lack of a better word, 'cute'. Small, cozy, and undisturbed, it is in a small valley surrounded by hills and mountains. It's settled on the lower slopes of Thailand's third-highest peak, Doi Luang (2225m), directly to the west. The area is populated by a diversity of hill-tribes, such as the Akha, Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Palong. You will see their villages and farms as you trek through. Besides coffee, they grow cassava, corn, and a variety of fruits such as papaya, mango, longan, and (pine-)apple. Many of the traditional hand-crafted items you will find in Chiang Mai's markets come from these rural communities.

Experience Chiang Dao’s spectacular wildlife

As you hike, you see panoramic views of surrounding peaks, impressive waterfalls, and traditional hill tribe villages where time seems to be standing still. You can enjoy the beauty of the rain-forest in its incredible diversity. This trek will offer you a more authentic experience than any other. First, because you probably won't see other tourists here. The hikes are not for pure beginners, and you do quite a bit of walking on sometimes challenging paths. The wildlife is undisturbed, meaning you have a big chance to see wild pigs, deer, monkeys, gibbons, and snakes.

Second, because our guides come from this area and you visit their villages. They know the area and wildlife intimately and immerse you in it. For example, they show you which plants to eat as they forage them for dinner. During the two-day tour, you spend the night in a home-stay with beautiful panoramic views all around. You wake up and take in the spectacle of mountain mist rolling through the valleys below. One of the best ways to fall in love with this part of Thailand, we think!

Find out more about our Chiang Dao Trekking tours HERE

Doi Inthanon, Mae Wang, Chiang Dao: which one is for you?

Visiting Doi Inthanon National Park is a plunge into the beauty of nature, here too there is some beautiful traditional architecture (the twin pagodas), but it's the wildlife, its sounds, smells, and sights that you will be telling people about. The trekking options are diverse and not so challenging, from tours that include sightseeing to elephants and eco-courses.

Trekking in the Mae Wang National Park will let you see more different natural environments. It also includes some cool geological sights, because of how the Ping river changed the landscape. If you look forward to taking dips in the local waterfalls, this is the park for you. And don't forget the optional bamboo raft trip down the river!

When you're looking at the more challenging but rewarding trek, Chiang Dao should be your first choice. Mostly 'off the grid', your trek through the Chiang Dao area is your best chance to see unique wildlife. A further reward is the almost total absence of tourists on the paths. The intimate atmosphere and great setting make you forget about everything not directly around you.

We hope this blog will help you make the right choice! Of course, you are always welcome to ask us any questions about all these options!

For an overview of all our trekking tours, please click HERE

Trekking in Chiang Mai: The complete hiking guide