Doi Inthanon Day Trip with Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail Hike Chiang Mai

Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail

The Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail starts beside the summit road at around 2,500 metres and is widely seen as the most beautiful short walk on Doi Inthanon. The loop of roughly 3 km begins in a dripping cloud forest of moss, orchids and tree ferns, then breaks out onto an open grassy ridge where the cliffs drop away and the valleys of the national park spread out below. Small streams, a waterfall and wooden steps add variety along the way.

The Kew Mae Pan hike takes about two hours at a relaxed pace, with some climbs and steps, so trainers or walking shoes are essential. The national park opens the trail only from November to May and closes it in the rainy season to let the forest recover, so book within that window. From December to February the mornings are crisp, the ridge is often above a sea of mist and the red highland rhododendrons are in bloom.

Doi Inthanon Summit

The day begins at the top: Doi Inthanon, 2,565 metres above sea level and the highest point in Thailand. The peak is named after King Inthawichayanon, one of the last Lanna rulers of Chiang Mai, who loved these forests; a small stupa near the summit sign holds his remains. Around it, a damp mossy woodland grows in air that is often cool enough to see your breath on winter mornings.

Expect 20 to 30 minutes here for photos and a short walk. Temperatures at the summit can be close to freezing from December to February, so a jacket is wise even though Chiang Mai is warm. How to get to Doi Inthanon without a car is a common question: the national park lies about 100 km by road from the city, with no simple public transport to the top, which is why a guided day trip with transport is the easiest way to visit.

The King and Queen Twin Pagodas

A short drive below the summit, the Twin Royal Pagodas rise from the ridge, built to celebrate the sixtieth birthdays of the King and Queen of Thailand. The King's chedi, in bronze-brown tiles, and the Queen's, in soft purple, each hold Buddha images and murals, and their terraces look out over a sea of forested hills. Below them, landscaped gardens, fountains and a pond create one of the most photographed scenes in the park.

Walk down to the wooden bridge across the pond to catch the reflections of both pagodas on the still water, especially in the soft morning light. Allow about 45 minutes. As these are sacred sites, cover shoulders and knees and avoid flip-flops. The pagoda entrance fee is included in the default full package, so you can go straight in with your guide.

Karen Coffee Farm and Hmong Village

After the hike, the trail leads you on to a Karen hill-tribe coffee farm, where arabica grows in the shade of taller forest trees on the cool slopes. Here you can see how the cherries are picked, dried and roasted and enjoy a cup of locally grown organic coffee. Coffee replaced opium in many highland villages through the royal development projects, and it is now a proud source of income for these communities.

Later in the day you visit a Hmong hill-tribe village and its market, known for coffee plantations, strawberries, dried fruit, honey and colourful embroidered textiles. Spend about half an hour browsing and chatting with the stallholders, and bring small notes, as most sell for cash only. These stops give a glimpse of the daily life of the mountain peoples who share Doi Inthanon with the national park.

Wachirathan Waterfall

Wachirathan Waterfall is the last stop of the day and one of the most impressive falls on the climb to the summit. The Mae Klang River pours roughly 80 metres down a wide granite face, throwing up a cool mist that drifts over the viewing platform and the surrounding rainforest. On bright days a rainbow often forms in the spray.

Allow about 30 minutes for the walk from the car park, photos and a break at the snack stalls, which sell grilled corn, fruit and coffee. Swimming is not permitted. The falls are fullest at the end of the rainy season, but even in the dry months of the Kew Mae Pan season they remain a beautiful sight. From here, our driver takes you back to Chiang Mai, arriving around 17:30 to 18:00.