Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, and you can ride all the way to the top. From Chiang Mai it is a full-day ride on a straightforward route: an hour and a half across the flat Ping valley, then 48 km of mountain road that climbs from rice fields and waterfalls through pine and moss-covered cloud forest to 2,565 m. On the way you pass two of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls, a Karen village with rice terraces, the flower gardens around the twin royal pagodas and one of the best short hikes in Thailand.
- From Nimman: about 110 km one way
- Riding: 2.5 h each way
- Summit: 2,565 m
- Entry: 300 THB (foreign adult)
At a glance
- Route: Nimman → Route 108 south through Hang Dong and San Pa Tong → Chom Thong → Route 1009 up the mountain to the summit
- Level: the 48 km climb is steady and well paved, but long; the last 10 km are steep. Not for your first day on a bike
- Best time: November to February: clear air, cool days, flowers in the gardens. Leave Chiang Mai by 7:30–8:00 (pick up the bike the day before)
- Bring: a warm jacket. The summit is often 10–15 °C colder than the city, close to freezing on some winter mornings
- Bike: a 150–160 cc scooter such as the Honda Click 160 or Yamaha NMax; for two people, the NMax or Honda ADV350
Getting there: the road from Chiang Mai
Leave Nimman on the Canal Road or Route 121 and join Route 108 south at Hang Dong. The next 50 km through San Pa Tong to Chom Thong are flat and busy; the road layout and traffic vary along the way. Keep left, let the trucks pass and ride at a steady pace. In Chom Thong, fill up and turn right onto Route 1009, signposted to Doi Inthanon. From here the kilometer markers count up to the summit at km 48, and every stop below is listed by its marker.
The climb, stop by stop
- km 8 · Mae Klang WaterfallAn easily accessible waterfall with a broad cascade, close to the road. A good first stretch of the legs.
- km 21 · Wachirathan WaterfallThe star of the mountain: an 80 m curtain of water that sends spray across the viewing platform. Expect to get wet in the rainy season.
- km 22 · Sirithan WaterfallA short walk from the road to a quieter cascade in the forest.
- km 26 · Ban Mae Klang LuangA Karen village with terraced rice fields, coffee shops and a nature trail to Pha Dok Siao waterfall (local guide required).
- km 31 · Park headquartersVisitor center, restaurants, toilets and Ban Khun Klang village. Good place for lunch on the way down.
- km 41–42 · Royal pagodas and Kew Mae PanThe twin pagodas built for the King and Queen, and the famous ridge-top nature trail just above them.
- km 48 · The summit and Ang KaThe highest point in Thailand, a shrine, and a boardwalk through mossy cloud forest.
Mae Klang Waterfall → · Wachirathan Waterfall → · Sirithan Waterfall → · Mae Klang Luang rice terraces → · Royal pagodas → · Kew Mae Pan → · Summit → · Ang Ka trail →
Wachirathan and the waterfalls
Doi Inthanon is a mountain of water. Wachirathan is the one not to miss: the Mae Klang river drops off a cliff in one thundering fall, loudest from July to November and still impressive in the dry season. A path leads down to a viewpoint at its base. Just above it, Sirithan is smaller and calmer, and at km 26 a guided trail from Mae Klang Luang leads to Pha Dok Siao, a chain of small falls in the jungle: a proper walk with a local guide, not a quick roadside stop, so ask in the village about the start, the price and the way back to your bike. With time to spare, a side road near the bottom of the mountain leads to Mae Ya, one of the tallest waterfalls in Thailand, spilling down a wide staircase of rock.
Rice terraces at Mae Klang Luang
At km 26 a side road leads into the Karen village of Ban Mae Klang Luang, with rice terraces stepping down the hillside. They are greenest in August and September and turn gold before the harvest in October and early November. Small coffee shops sell beans grown in the village: a perfect break on the way up.
The royal pagodas
Just below the summit stand the twin pagodas (Phra Maha Dhatu Naphamethanidon and Naphaphonphumisiri), built by the Royal Thai Air Force for the 60th birthdays of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. They are surrounded by terraced flower gardens that bloom all through the cool season, and on a clear day the view reaches across range after range of mountains. Separate entrance fee, around 100 THB; dress respectfully (shoulders and knees covered). Come early: by mid-morning the tour minivans arrive.
Kew Mae Pan: the best short hike in the north
The Kew Mae Pan nature trail starts at km 42, near the pagodas. It is a loop of about 3 km along a grassy ridge at around 2,200 m, through cloud forest, past a small waterfall and out onto open slopes with views on both sides. Allow 2–3 hours.
- Usually open from 1 November to 31 May; closed in the rainy season to let the forest recover, and it can close at short notice in bad weather. Check the park’s latest announcement.
- A local guide is required; you hire one at the trailhead, paid per group (around 200 THB; check the current price and group size on site, and allow for a wait in high season).
- Go in the morning: clouds often roll in by midday and the trail can close in bad weather.
- Wear proper shoes: the steps and boardwalks can be wet and slippery.
The summit and the Ang Ka boardwalk
The road ends at km 48, at the highest point in Thailand. There is not much of a view from the very top, which is covered in forest, but there is a sign everyone photographs, a shrine to King Inthawichayanon (a 19th-century ruler of Chiang Mai, after whom the mountain is named) and, a short walk away, the Ang Ka nature trail: a 20-minute boardwalk loop through a dripping cloud forest of moss, ferns and rhododendrons that feels like another continent. It is also one of the best birdwatching spots in Thailand; listen for the birds around the boardwalk.
Tap a photo to open the gallery (5). Photos: เทวประภาส มากคล้าย / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0); Wikimedia Commons (CC0); BerryJ / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); Chickychic / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); JJ Harrison / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
The mountain through the year
Doi Inthanon looks different every month, and some of its best moments last only a few weeks:
- Sea of clouds (November to February): on cool, clear mornings the valleys fill with cloud and the pagodas and the summit road rise above it. Be at the pagodas or Kew Mae Pan early.
- Wild Himalayan cherry (usually late December to January): pink blossom in places along the upper road and at spots such as the Khun Wang Royal Project, a separate side trip. Timing changes from year to year.
- Red rhododendrons (January to February): the old rhododendron trees around the summit and Ang Ka come into flower.
- Waterfalls and rice (July to October): the falls are at their most powerful and the terraces at Mae Klang Luang are bright green, turning gold before the harvest.
- Smoke season (March to April): hot and often hazy from burning. Check the air quality before you go and consider another day.
- Stars: far from city lights, the night sky is spectacular. If you want to see it, stay overnight at the park’s campsite or lodges near the headquarters rather than riding down in the dark.
Tap a photo to open the gallery (6). Photos: Chaiyathat / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); Sirapa Atikomchakorn / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); KOSIN SUKHUM / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); Nnthurber / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); SATIT JANDANG / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); Apisit Wilaijit / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Fees
| What | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National park entry, foreign adult | 300 THB | child 150 THB |
| Motorbike | 20 THB | paid at the checkpoint with your ticket |
| Royal pagodas | about 100 THB | separate ticket, not run by the park |
| Kew Mae Pan guide | about 200 THB per group | 1 November to 31 May only |
Park entry fees follow the published Department of National Parks tariff; the pagodas and guides set their own prices. Check the current fees and opening hours on site and keep cash. Keep your park ticket: it is checked again on the way up.
Two ways to spend the day
You cannot do everything in one day. Pick one plan; Mae Ya and Pha Dok Siao are for another day.
Plan A: waterfalls, pagodas and summit
| Time | Where |
|---|---|
| 07:30 | leave Nimman; coffee and fuel in Chom Thong |
| 09:00 | Mae Klang and Wachirathan waterfalls (about 1 hour) |
| 10:15 | coffee at Mae Klang Luang |
| 11:15 | royal pagodas and their gardens (about 1 hour) |
| 12:30 | summit and Ang Ka boardwalk |
| 13:30 | lunch at the park headquarters (km 31) |
| 14:30 | ride down slowly, back in Chiang Mai around 17:00 |
Plan B: Kew Mae Pan and summit (1 November to 31 May)
| Time | Where |
|---|---|
| 07:00 | leave Nimman; fuel in Chom Thong |
| 09:00 | Kew Mae Pan trailhead (km 42): hire a guide, walk 2–3 hours |
| 12:00 | summit and Ang Ka boardwalk |
| 13:00 | lunch at the park headquarters (km 31) |
| 14:00 | one waterfall on the way down, Wachirathan |
| 15:00 | ride down slowly, back in Chiang Mai around 17:30 |
Times are a guide: traffic, a queue for the guide or a long lunch move everything. Be off the mountain by 16:00.
Which bike for Doi Inthanon
It is a long day with a long climb, so you want a bike with some reserve. On the steepest part near the top, a small 110–125 cc scooter with two people slows to a crawl and its brakes work hard on the way down.
| Riding | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Alone | Honda Click 160, Yamaha Aerox 155, GPX Drone 150 | enough power for the climb and comfortable on the highway; the GPX Drone is the budget pick |
| Two people | Yamaha NMax 155 | bigger seat, ABS, steady with a passenger |
| Two people, most comfort | Honda ADV350 | big adventure scooter: relaxed on the highway, strong uphill |
| Experienced rider | Honda CB300 | a manual motorcycle with engine braking |
Every rental includes two helmets and a phone holder and comes with a full tank of Gasohol 95; please return it with the same fuel level. See all prices.
Safety and practical tips
- Start early. You need daylight for 220 km and the mountain gets cloudy and cold in the afternoon. Be off the mountain by 16:00. We open at 10:00, so for an early departure arrange to pick up the bike the day before.
- On the descent reduce speed before corners and use both brakes smoothly and progressively. Avoid dragging the brakes on long descents, as they can overheat. On a manual motorcycle, select an appropriate low gear before descending. If braking feels different, pull over safely and contact us before continuing.
- Dress warmly: a jacket, long trousers and closed shoes. In December and January the summit can be 5 °C in the morning.
- Fog and wet roads are common near the top, even in the dry season. Lights on, speed down.
- Route 108 traffic is fast. Keep left, keep a steady speed and do not weave between lanes.
- License and IDP: checkpoints on Route 108 are common. See how to ride legally.
- Cash: withdraw it before leaving Chom Thong. Bring enough for park entry, the pagodas, your guide, food and fuel, and do not rely on finding a working ATM in the park.
Make yourself and others safe first. Medical emergency: 1669. Tourist Police (English): 1155. Police: 191. Then message us on WhatsApp.
Your rental includes Thailand’s compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor), which covers injuries up to the legal limits but not damage to the bike. Check that your travel insurance covers motorbike riding, the engine size and a passenger. Details are in our rental terms.
Combine it with other rides
Doi Inthanon is a big day. If you have not ridden mountain roads before, try the Samoeng Loop first: 100 km, gentler climbs and closer to town. Riding the Mae Hong Son Loop? Doi Inthanon makes a spectacular last day: from Mae Chaem, Route 1192 climbs to join Route 1009 below the summit (around km 38–39). Turn up to the top and come back down the same road, then descend Route 1009 to Chom Thong.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to ride from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon?
About 2.5 hours each way to the summit (around 110 km on the main road). With stops at the waterfalls, pagodas and summit, plan 9–10 hours for the day; side trips add more.
Can a scooter make it up Doi Inthanon?
Yes. The road is paved to the top. A 150–160 cc scooter is the comfortable choice; with two people, choose a Yamaha NMax or Honda ADV350.
How much is the entrance fee to Doi Inthanon?
300 THB for foreign adults and 150 THB for children, plus 20 THB for a motorbike. The royal pagodas have their own ticket of about 100 THB.
Is Kew Mae Pan open?
The trail usually opens on 1 November and closes on 31 May, and a local guide is required. It can close temporarily in bad weather.
How cold is it at the top of Doi Inthanon?
Often 10–15 °C colder than Chiang Mai. In December and January mornings can drop to a few degrees above zero. Bring a warm layer.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Fees, trail seasons and opening hours come from the Department of National Parks and the park and change from time to time; check on site. Fleet CNX prices as of October 2026. Cover photo: Bharath Mohan / Unsplash.
Ride to the roof of Thailand
Honda Click 160, Yamaha NMax and Honda ADV350 for the big climbs. 2 helmets and a phone holder included. Reserve for free, pay at pickup.
Book a bike
