Thailand’s lush jungles teem with abundant wildlife, and its rice paddies and ornate temples make for beautiful sights. Read on for 10 of the best hiking trails near Bangkok to see these wonders.
The north of Thailand, near Chiang Mai, is known for its destination hiking trails. In the south of the country, Bangkok’s splendour lies in its vibrant city life, noisy streets, and sleepless club scene. We’ve curated just the list to help the city-dweller find nature spots nearby, as well as highlighted some of the best trails for those venturing further in the country.
1. Khao Yai National Park
Three hours outside of Bangkok, this national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, abundant with elephants, deer, porcupines, otters, and even tigers. Its phenomenal biodiversity includes five distinct forest types. There are six short hiking trails within the park, ranging from 2 to 8 km, that visitors can explore by themselves. An easy, leisurely circuit is the Kong Kaeow Nature Trail which begins at the Visitor’s Centre. For experienced hikers up for a more intense hike, three-day treks are also available.
Best For: Seeing phenomenal wildlife
Distance: 1.2 km
Estimated Completion Time: 1 hour
Difficulty rating: 1 out of 5 stars
2. Kaeng Krachan National Park
Three hours from Bangkok and along the border of Myanmar, Kaeng Krachan National Park is the largest national park in Thailand. The evergreen forest is an oasis for elephants, leopards, gibbons, and reptiles. It’s also well known as the best bird watching location in Asia. The Pran Buri and Phetchaburi rivers originate here, which is one of the main reasons the area is so full of wildlife. The park offers options from day trips to multi-day hikes, and you can explore on your own or join a guided trek. Try the Baan Krang loop trail for an easy and leisurely hike.
Best For: Birdwatching
Distance: 3 km
Estimated Completion Time: 1 hour
Difficulty rating: 1 out of 5 stars
3. Khao Sam Lan National Park
Khao Sam Lan National Park is an hour and a half’s drive away from Bangkok, with many picturesque hiking trails. The tallest peak in the park is 330 metres high and the park is home to many monkeys, which you can glimpse playing in the treetops. Seven waterfalls are intertwined with the hiking trails for visitors to swim and cool down in. The park has a ฿100 (US$3) entrance fee and you can spend as long as you like wandering through the park.
Best For: Quiet and picturesque unwinding
Distance: 5 km
Estimated Completion Time: 1 hour
Difficulty rating: 1 out of 5 stars
4. Wat Khao Chom Thong
Three and a half hours northeast of Bangkok sits the Wat Khao Chom Thong monastery, still inhabited by local monks. To get to the viewpoint, you walk up a small road and then climb more than 600 steep steps, making this a quick but challenging hike. A view of the surrounding jungle, tiny boats, and water houses is visible as you make your way to the top, where a temple and sitting areas await.
Best For: A hike to a monastery off the beaten path
Distance: 1.5 km
Estimated Completion Time: 1 hour
Difficulty rating: 2 out of 5 stars
5. Hang Nak Mountain Nature Trail
The Hang Nak Nature Trail in Ao Nang, near Krabi, is a 4 hour round trip on a well-marked trail. The hike is a very feasible, steady ascent, with a few steep climbs mixed in, to a summit that sits 500 meters above sea level. Viewpoints along the way offer Instagram-worthy views of the surrounding coastal areas.
Best For: Impressive Instagram pictures and beautiful coastal views
Distance: 3.7 km
Estimated Completion Time: 4 hours
Difficulty rating: 2 out of 5 stars
6. Phu Thap Boek Mountain
Located in Phetchabun Province and home to the Hmong hill tribe, this mountain range gives you stunning views of the surrounding rainforest and farmlands. Most mornings, the mountaintop is immersed in a sea of clouds, and during winter, blooming cherry blossom trees cover its slopes. Visitors can camp or choose to stay in luxury resorts overnight and to witness the mountain’s famous sunrise. For those looking to catch a view without the hike, many of the mountain’s vantage points are easily accessible by car.
Best For: A challenging hike, or an extremely easy hike with a beautiful view
Distance: 2 km
Estimated Completion Time: 2 hours
Difficulty rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Tents are already set up for visitors at the campsite.
7. Phu LangKa Mountain
Phu Lang Ka is a remote village in the mountains of Northern Thailand’s Phayao Province, home to the Yao and Hmong tribes. Its views are worth a visit with its mist-shrouded limestone karst scenery and incredible sunset. The Phu Langka National Park has three nature trails available to hikers. The two day Tok Tat Pho-Chedi Kong Khao Si Bun Nao route leads you to the summit of Phu Lanka Mountain. Be sure to contact the National Park office for a guide in advance. For an easier day-hike, try the Nam Tok Tat Pho-Pha Ngoi route, which includes a viewpoint where tourists can overlook Ban Phaeng District and Mekong River.
Best For: Remote hiking with beautiful views
Distance: 2 km
Estimated Completion Time: 2 hours
Difficulty rating: 2 out of 5 stars
8. Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
Located in Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon National Park is Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon. Another infamous peak, Kew Mae Pan or “The Roof of Thailand”, sits 2,200 metres above sea level in the park. The stunning circular trail brings you to the peak and back where you will pass forests and waterfalls before opening up to a grassland. Later on in the trek, hikers have to walk along a narrow, 1 metre ridge. There is a ฿200 (US$6) entrance fee which includes a helpful guide who joins you throughout your trek. While in the area, explore its rice terraces and visit its Karen hill tribe villages.
Best For: Stunning vistas on the Roof of Thailand
Distance: 2.7 km
Estimated Completion Time: 2.5 hours
Difficulty rating: 2 out of 5 stars
9. Mae Hong Son
368 km away from Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son is an isolated province that is home to the Shan, Padong, and Hmong hill tribes. Pai, a peaceful rural town attracts backpackers to its otherworldly serenity, misty forests, and high mountains. Experience its raw natural beauty hiking through any of its many trails. Famous sights include the UNESCO World Heritage Site Salween National Park, Baan Ruam Thai Coffee Village, and the Sutongpe Bridge, a 500 metre-long bamboo structure that cuts through rice fields and rolling hills. The 8 day trek from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son is popular with globetrotters.
Best For: A memorable backpacking adventure
Distance: 65 km
Estimated Completion Time: 8 days
Difficulty rating: 5 out of 5 stars
10. Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Phrachomklao Rachanusorn
Located in the Lampang province 3 hours from Chiang Mai, this trek is well out of the way of Thailand’s urban districts, but is a rewarding experience with breathtaking views of its three-level Buddhist tribute. The first level is the three temples: Wat Phabatpuphadang, Wat Phrabuddhabat and Wat Doi. They cling to a cliff face, overlooking a near 1,000 metre sheer drop. The famous footsteps local legend claims were left by the Buddha lead further up the mountain. Followed by 800 extremely steep steps which bring you to Thailand’s most magnificent mountain top. Known as Doi Prat Bet, this final tier features a golden pagoda, prayer hall, and many white stupas. Down below, are panoramic views of hills, temples, and the Thung valley.
Best For: Appreciating a mind-blowing religious site
Distance: 1.5 km
Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty rating: 3 out of 5 stars
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