Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai
Part of the Chiang Mai travel guide — see every topic in All Chiang Mai Guides.
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand. Its top is 2,565 m above the sea. The mountain is the centre of Doi Inthanon National Park, about 60 to 70 km southwest of Chiang Mai. The park has cool cloud forest, large waterfalls, many birds and Karen and Hmong villages. It is an easy day trip by car or tour. This guide covers the road, the main trails, the waterfalls and the seasons.
Getting there
From Chiang Mai, follow Highway 108 south to the town of Chom Thong. From there, road 1009 climbs all the way to the summit. The drive to the park gate takes about 1.5 hours, and the summit is further up. The road is good but steep and has many curves. Most people go with a tour or hire a car and driver for the day. Experienced drivers can rent a car or scooter. If you ride a scooter, check the brakes before you go, and use low gears on the way down. You pay a national park entry fee at the gate. Foreign visitors pay more than Thai citizens, and there is a small extra fee for vehicles.
The summit and Ang Ka trail
The road ends near the summit, so you do not need to hike to the top. Next to the summit is the Ang Ka nature trail. It is a short wooden boardwalk through wet, mossy cloud forest. Trees are covered in moss, ferns and orchids. It is open all year and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The summit is often cold and cloudy. In the cool season, temperatures can drop close to freezing in the early morning. Bring a warm jacket even if it is hot in Chiang Mai. Below the summit, two large pagodas stand in flower gardens with wide views over the hills.
Kew Mae Pan trail and its seasonal closure
Kew Mae Pan is the most popular hike in the park. It is a loop of about 2.5 km along a grassy ridge with wide mountain views. On clear mornings you can see a sea of clouds below. You must walk with a local guide, whom you hire at the start of the trail. The trail is closed every year from 1 June to 31 October. This protects the forest and keeps visitors safe on slippery paths in the rainy season. It reopens on 1 November. When open, it usually runs from about 6 am to 4 pm. Arrive early, as the trail can be busy on weekends and holidays.
Waterfalls
Several big waterfalls are near road 1009. Wachirathan is the most famous. It drops about 80 m, and on sunny days you often see a rainbow in the spray. It is strongest in and just after the rainy season. Siriphum is another tall waterfall higher up the mountain. Mae Klang waterfall is lower down, near the start of the mountain road, and is easy to reach. Mae Ya waterfall is on a separate side road in the south of the park. Paths near waterfalls are often wet. Wear shoes with good grip and stay behind the safety rails.
Birds, seasons and camping
The park is one of the best places in Thailand to watch birds. More than 380 species have been recorded here. Early mornings near the summit are best for birdwatching. The cool, dry season, from about November to February, has the clearest views and the coldest air. From about February to April, smoke from farm and forest fires can make the air hazy across the north. The rainy season brings fog, green forest and full waterfalls, but also the Kew Mae Pan closure. Camping is allowed in the cool season at the park campground, where you can rent tents. Book ahead for long holiday weekends.
Doi Inthanon at a glance
| Getting there | About 60 to 70 km southwest of Chiang Mai; Highway 108 to Chom Thong, then road 1009; about 1.5 hours to the park gate |
|---|---|
| Hours | Park opens early morning; Kew Mae Pan trail about 6 am to 4 pm |
| Cost | National park entry fee, higher for foreigners; vehicle fee; guide fee for Kew Mae Pan |
| Best time | November to February for clear, cold mornings; Kew Mae Pan closed 1 June to 31 October |
| Bring | Warm jacket, good shoes, water and cash |