Mae Kampong feels a long way from the city, and it is only an hour away. The village sits at about 1,300 m in the forested hills east of Chiang Mai: wooden houses stepping down along a mountain creek, cafés on stilts over the valley, the smell of coffee and woodsmoke, and on cool mornings clouds drifting through the trees. People here once lived from miang, a fermented tea leaf chewed as a snack, and Mae Kampong was one of the first villages in Thailand to welcome visitors into family homestays. It is a beautiful ride with one serious climb at the end.
- From Nimman: about 57 km
- Riding: 1–1.5 h each way
- Altitude: about 1,300 m
- Plan: a day, or stay the night
At a glance
- Route: Nimman → east through San Kamphaeng → up into the hills to Mae Kampong
- Level: easy main roads at first; the last kilometers are steep, narrow and winding. For riders already confident on mountain roads
- Best time: November to February for cool air and morning clouds; weekday mornings are quietest
- Fuel: fill up before you leave the main roads: there is no petrol station in the village
- Bike: a well-maintained 125 cc scooter for an experienced solo rider; 150–160 cc for two people
The ride there
Leave the city to the east and follow the main road through San Kamphaeng, a town known for its silk and umbrella workshops. Beyond it the road starts to climb into the hills, the villages get smaller and the forest closes in. The flat first part is wide and easy; keep left and watch for cars turning off.
The last section up to the village is the part to take seriously: steep, narrow and winding, with tight bends where you meet pickups and minivans coming down. Ride it slowly, in the right gear on a manual bike, and stay well to the left in the bends. With a passenger on a small scooter it is hard work; a 150–160 cc scooter makes it much easier.
In the village
Mae Kampong is small enough to walk end to end in half an hour, and walking is the best way to see it. A road runs along the creek with wooden houses on both sides; coffee shops and homestays hang over the valley, some on tall stilts. Coffee is grown in the forest around the village.
Wat Khantha Phrueksa
A small wooden temple about 300 m from the village center, with a carved chapel built over the stream. It dates from the 1920s and is one of the quietest, most photogenic corners of the village. It is a working temple: dress modestly and keep your voice down.
Mae Kampong Waterfall
Just below the village, the creek drops through the forest in a series of small cascades. A path with steps runs along it: a short, shady walk, at its best in the rainy season and the months after it.
Stay the night?
Mae Kampong is a lovely day ride, and an even better overnight. Many families run homestays, and the village is at its most beautiful early in the morning, when clouds fill the valley before the day visitors arrive. Staying also means you don't ride the steep road down in the late afternoon. Book ahead for weekends and holidays.
When to go
November to February is the classic season: cool, clear afternoons and chilly mornings (bring a warm layer). The rainy season (June to October) makes the forest and the waterfall at their greenest, but the steep road is slippery after rain: ride it only in dry weather. Weekends and Thai holidays are busy and parking fills up; go on a weekday if you can.
Which bike for Mae Kampong
| Who | Bike | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Experienced solo rider | Yamaha Fazzio, Grand Filano or another 125 cc scooter | enough for one person if you are used to steep mountain roads |
| Two people | Honda Click 160, Yamaha NMax 155 | more power and better brakes for the steep last climb and descent |
| Experienced riders | Honda ADV350, Honda CB300 | big scooter or manual motorcycle for an overnight trip with bags |
All rentals come with two helmets and a phone holder. Reserving is free; you pay at pickup. See all prices.
Safety and practical tips
- The descent: slow down before each bend, use both brakes smoothly and progressively, and don't drag the brakes all the way down: they overheat. On a manual motorcycle use a low gear. If braking feels different, stop safely and call us.
- Dry weather only for the last climb. After rain, wait or turn back.
- Not confident on steep roads? Shared vans run from Chiang Mai to Mae Kampong; you can do the trip that way instead.
- License and helmets: carry your motorcycle license and International Driving Permit; helmets for rider and passenger. See what you need to ride legally.
- Daylight: plan to be down from the hills before dark.
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.
More rides from Chiang Mai
For a gentler half-day, try the Sticky Waterfall north of the city or Doi Suthep. For a full mountain day, ride the Samoeng Loop or go up Doi Inthanon.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Mae Kampong from Chiang Mai?
About 57 km from Nimman, 1–1.5 hours each way by scooter.
Is the road to Mae Kampong difficult?
The main roads are easy. The last climb to the village is steep, narrow and winding: fine for riders used to mountain roads, not a place to learn. Ride it in dry weather.
Can I ride to Mae Kampong on a 125 cc scooter?
Yes, as an experienced solo rider on a well-maintained scooter. With a passenger, take a 150–160 cc scooter such as the Honda Click 160 or Yamaha NMax.
Is there a petrol station in Mae Kampong?
No. Fill up before you leave the main roads.
Can I stay overnight?
Yes. Many families run homestays, and mornings in the village are the most beautiful time. Book ahead for weekends.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Roads, parking and opening hours change; check before you go. Cover photo: Salinee Chot / Unsplash.
Ride to Mae Kampong
Scooters from 250 THB/day, bigger scooters for two. 2 helmets and a phone holder included. Reserve for free, pay at pickup.
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