2021/04/18_ Ban Mae Sapok Waterfall Loop

Despite the sudden new wave of Covid-19 we plan to go ahead with the hike. Access was possible on Wednesday, but the situation is still dynamic, so please check back here before leaving home on Sunday morning.

The main hike is a relatively easy one of about eight kms with only 400m ascent on mainly good paths. An even shorter option will be available, walking to the “beach” area and waiting for the main group there.

The hike will start close to the elephant camp and, if there are any in residence, there may be a short feeding session. The main hike will then meander up from the river, mainly through open farmland, before making our way back down to the river and the “Rambo” waterfall. As this is a relatively short hike there will be no lunch break but two snack breaks at the Rambo waterfall and the “beach” area,  at which some hikers may want to have a swim. We should complete the loop back to the elephant camp in about four hours,including stops. Afterwards we will have refreshments at a small restaurant on the way back to Chiang Mai.

Hike leader: SRR

Meeting Point & Time:
We will meet at the PTT gas station at Nam Phrae, about 20kms south of Chiang Mai on the extension of the Canal road – the Hang Dong Sanpatong bypass road. 7.45am for an 8am start.

If you want to join:
Read the general advice on this website as well as the specific details in this post. If you still think the hike is for you, just turn up at the meeting place on the day and on time. We cannot accommodate groups. Passenger places are usually available in car-pooling but cannot be guaranteed. If you are a passenger, please offer THB 100 to your driver for fuel etc. and bring a change of clothing for the return journey. Some of our car-driving hikers will also request you wear a face-mask if car-sharing with them. There may also be checks by police on the road.

Please bring:  See “Things to bring” tab above, but specially consider:

• face-mask (mainly for in-car use)
• hat/sunblock, as some sections of the hike do not have tree cover
• for passengers:100 baht towards fuel costs and a change of clothes, footwear
• bags of energy, enthusiasm and a good sense of humour

2021/04/10_NOTICE! Covid-19 precaution

We are still planning to go ahead with the hike tomorrow, but, in view of the recent upsurge in Covid-19 cases in Chiang Mai, we add the following strong advice to the hike post.

HIKERS SHOULD WEAR MASKS WHEN SHARING CAR JOURNEYS, AND IN VILLAGE AND TEMPLE AREAS. And please practise social distancing as far as practical.

2021/04/11_Big white Bhudda to magic monk and high ridge back

Beautiful clear views are back! (Or at least were back on Thursday)

So refreshing to check this out on Thursday! Clear, clean air, the vivid jungle greenery all waking up, blue sky, punctuated by fluffy white clouds,and noisy jungle insects. Underfoot, freshly washed and more forgiving than the dry dusty days. Hopefully will still be the case at least for the next few days.

This hike starts at an unusually high elevation of 830m, at the large white Bhudda, known as Phra Caao Than Cai, it is located at the high point of the 1229 road. The hike combines some great ridge walking with good valley views and a visit to an interesting temple site.

For the first 4 km one drops down eventually to the valley containing the village of Mae Takhrai. There is a temple with a constantly developing site which features a giant statue, still in construction of the famous monk, Luang Phor Thuat, who appears to be on a pilgrimage and is already visible from afar. It is very interesting to visit.

Leaving the village the real work of the main hike begins, gradually ascending at first and eventually quite steep, but never difficult, the ascent takes one up onto a scenic ridge that offers views, both of the valley one has just climbed from, as well as the Mae on area. One or two rocky promontories offer scenic places for snack breaks. The ridge eventually drops down to the path used earlier and returns to the White Bhudda..

An easier version of the hike will be offered if anyone wants it, which simply retraces the way back from the Monk, instead of climbing onto the ridge.

The main hike is 13km long, and the easy version is about 10km with considerably less vertical work to do. For both versions, hiking time will be around 4 ½ hours, plus whatever time the group chooses to spend exploring the temple area.

Hike leader: John (Assistant: Michael)

If you want to join: Please ensure you have read the general advice on this website (see tabs above) as well as this specific post. If you still think the hike is for you, just turn up at the stated place and time. Lifts in cars are almost always available.

In view of the recent uptick in Covid-19 infections in Chiang Mai, please be extra careful and wear masks when sharing car rides.

Meeting time and place: 7:20am for a 7:30 convoy departure from the side of the 1317 slip road in front of Promenada shopping mall. OR at the White Buddha Phra Caao Than Cai at 8am for hike start at approximately 08:15.

2021/04/04_Wiang Kum Kam hike

Wiang Kum Kam is the site of a precursor of Chiang Mai: a city established on the Ping River more than 700 years ago, which seems to have been soon superseded by Chiang Mai, and eventually abandoned due to repeated flooding and a change in the course of the river. Nowadays one can find the excavated foundations of many former temples in a maze of quiet lanes amid cultivated areas, old trees and suburban dwellings.

We will have a two- to three-hour ramble to make or renew our acquaintance with this interesting area, while keeping up the habit of walking in this hot and smoky season.

Leader: Michael

Meeting time and place: 07:30 for 07:40 start, in the carpark of the Wiang Kum Kam Information Center next to the southern part of the 3029 ring road. If driving along the ring road from the east, you need to go past and take a slip-road for a U-turn underneath the river bridge. Go slow when approaching, because the Center isn’t very clearly signposted and you can’t quickly turn back if you overshoot.

If you want to come: just turn up at the stated time and place, with enough energy for three hours in the sun, and enough good-humour to take things as they come.

Bring: Especially remember a hat, because much of the hike is exposed.

2021/04/04 NOTICE! Change of hike

ChiangMaiHiking has decided to un-post the hike posted yesterday for the coming Sunday, as it might have violated a dry-season ban currently in place on hiking in Doi Suthep/Pui National Park.

Another (probably short) hike will be posted for this Sunday.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

2021/03/28_Zoo hike

The hot smoky season, and the fact that this will be a voting day for Thais, make it the right time for a relatively short local hike. So let’s do something new: have a walk round the zoo. It covers a surprisingly large area, but many of us have lived in Chiang Mai for a long time without ever having been inside. The basic cost is a reasonable THB 150 for adults.

We will try to hike this as a group, following a route researched by the leader, taking about three hours. Very short pauses may be incorporated in order to look at animals, but we will try to keep this as a hike with forward momentum.

Leader: Michael

Meeting time and place: 7.50am for 8am departure from the small carpark west of Huay Kaew Arboretum.

Don’t forget: Bring sun protection and plenty of fluids.

2021/03/21_Doi Lang Lo backwards

The AQI is well below 200 and the hike is ON.

The highest point of Doi Lang Lo sits at 920m and allegedly has a small volcano at the summit. The mountain is also known as Nangmo mountain and Mon Jing. What ever you wish to call it, it does stand out when travelling along the 1317 in Mae On area, This is due to its steep nature and several sheer rocky cliffs.

There are 4 main ridges dropping from the summit and the group in the past has ascended through the forest, the one on the West and then gone down the South Ridge, which is also known as Suicide Ridge, this is because it is rocky with steep drop offs on either side. This time of year also loose and slippery in places making it a difficult descent for some. However we will reverse the direction of the hike so the ridge will be ascended. In general steep loose slopes are safer ascended, rather than descended.The ridge itself does need some moving around simple rock obstacles and while traversing the ridge could not be described as difficult it may be a concern to those with poor balance or a fear of heights.

Our hike will be close to 8km with a total ascent of over 600m. Normally completed in around 4 hours. The mountain has already been subject to extensive burning, several weeks ago, with some more recent areas lower down. This can be seen as an advantage as it reduces the risk of any danger from fire when hiking. Most of the trail avoids walking through ash.

Hike leader: John (deputy: Michael)

If you want to come: Please make sure you have read the general advice on this website (see tabs above) as well as this specific post. If you still think this hike is for you, just turn up at the stated time and place (see below). Lifts in cars are usually available. (Please offer your driver THB 100 toward fuel costs for the return trip.)

Meeting time and place: 7:30am for a 7:40 departure from the side of the 1317 slip road in front of Promenada shopping mall.

Bring: as per usual advice (see tabs above). Especially note:

• Water or isotonic fluids
• Consider a PM2.5-proof face mask

2021/03/14_Doi Ton loop

Air quality has improved slightly – the score is less than 200 – so the hike is ON!

The plateau on this mountain  is over 800m and has many different Bhudda shrines, images and constructions. The hike starts at lake level, tracks the lake edge for a distance and then gradually ascends on forest tracks. As the slope gets steeper one meets steps cut into the hillside and every 500m or so large shelters, the slope continues to get more severe in gradient, but assisted by steps and handrails, even at one point a large steel staircase. So  it has been made possible for regular less fit walkers to get to the summit. The descending trails are much gentler in incline and while leaves and dry surface makes them a little slippy in places, they are never difficult  for anyone with decent footwear.

Total distance is around 7km, with ascent 550m.   Easily completed in less that 4 hours with ample time to visit the interesting features.

Hike leader: John (with normal Michael as deputy)

If you want to come: Please make sure you have read the general advice on this website (see tabs above) as well as this specific post. If you still think this hike is for you, just turn up at the stated time and place (see below). Lifts in cars are usually available. (Please offer your driver THB 100 toward fuel costs for the return trip.)

Meeting time and place: 7:30am for a 7:40 departure from the side of the 1317 slip road in front of Promenada shopping mall.

Bring: as per usual advice (see tabs above). Especially note:

• Water or isotonic fluids
• Consider an air quality mask