Hike still on. Come prepared.
In the event of heavy rain this hike may be cancelled. Please check the website after 06.00 on Sunday morning.
This is a rerun of last New Year’s Eve hike.
The starting point will be the Hmong village of Ban Pha Nok Kok, high in the hills along the south side of the Mae Sa Valley above the small town of Pong Yaeng. From the village we will be climbing up on to a ridge and heading westwards in the direction of Samoeng. There are only two options for this hike, to return the same way or to organise a long car shuttle. This time we will be re-tracing our footsteps along the ridge to return to the same place from whence we started out.
It is a modest climb of only 300 meters or so from the village onto the ridge. From there the ridge undulates up and down as ridges do, with some steep sections but no protracted ups and downs. There are several local peaks around 1,300 meters elevation. Most of the hike is through canopy forest. Our objective will be to reach the cleared area on the western end of the ridge and take early lunch/snack at the foot of a tall fire observation tower.
View under ideal conditions
Total distance to the lunch stop and back has been measured as 14 km with around 600 m of total elevation gain (300 m up to the ridge plus the ups and downs along the ridge). Expected time 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
Just a warning that at these elevations at this time of year leeches are always a possibility. No leeches have been encountered on previous hikes in this area, but their absence can not be guaranteed.
There is an option for after-hike drinks and late lunch at the scenic Thermadoi Restaurant.
Hike Initiator: Richard
Please read the general information on this site, as well as this particular post. If you still think this hike is for you, then just turn up at the meeting place on the day and time. Seats in cars are usually available, but can not be guaranteed.
Meeting Point and Directions:
We will meet at the parking lot in front of the 700-Year Sports Stadium on Canal (Chonpratan) Road (Highway 121) for a 07.30 departure.
Meeting Point in front of 700-Year Sports Stadium
The plan is to car share and travel in convoy all the way from the meeting point to the hike start point. Our route will be as follows:
Left along Canal Road to the junction with Highway 107 and turn left towards Mae Rim.
Take the short-cut that by-passes Mae Rim and then turn left on Highway 1096 along the Mae Sa Valley towards Samoeng.
Follow Highway 1096 until the small town of Pong Yaeng. Continue through the town until just past the built-up area, where we will fork left at the point that the Highway bends to the right and starts going uphill.
Follow this road directly (passing the Thermadoi Restaurant) to Ban Pha Nok Kok, a Hmong village on the hillside. We will park in the middle of the village.
Advice
Please bring:
- At least 2 litres of water/ rehydration drink.
- A snack.
- For passengers: 100 Baht towards fuel costs and a change of clothes/ footware.
- Protection from sun, insects and rain.
- Energy, enthusiasm and good humour.
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