Tiffany Haney
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is a must-visit for nature lovers and is located inside Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand's highest peak. The trail is a 2.1-mile loop near Doi Lo, Chiang Mai, and is generally considered an easy route, taking an average of 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. The best time to visit is from November to March, and visitors can expect to see a variety of wildflowers and bird species.
To get to Kew Mae Pan, you can drive or take a local taxi or motorbike to Doi Inthanon National Park. The trail entrance is located in a huge car park area, about 500 meters past the entrance to the twin chedis. Some tour operators offer day trips to the National Park, which may include Kew Mae Pan on their itinerary. It is important to ask before booking.
It is compulsory to hire a local Hmong guide for the trail, and the fee is 200 baht for a group of up to 10 visitors. The guide will provide a bamboo hiking stick, and visitors should expect to pay an additional entrance fee of 300 baht per foreign visitor and 30 baht per car.
What You'll Learn
Doi Inthanon National Park
The Kew Mae Pan trail sits at an elevation of 2,200 meters above sea level and provides hikers with a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and, on clear days, even a glimpse of Myanmar. The trail is closed during the rainy season, from June to October, but is accessible for the rest of the year. It is important to note that a local guide is required for this trail, as it passes through delicate thick forest terrain. The guide fee is 200 baht for a group of up to 10 people, and the trailhead is located near a parking lot where visitors can leave their vehicles.
The trail can be divided into three stages, each offering a unique experience. The first stage takes hikers through a dense cloud forest full of moss and ferns, with the evergreen forest acting as a watershed area. The second stage opens up to a scenic grassland, with colours ranging from green during the rainy season to golden brown in the dry season. This stage also offers a panoramic viewpoint, popular for sunrise viewing and capturing breathtaking mountain views. The third stage brings hikers back into the forest, with temperatures dropping a few degrees lower than the outside. Along the trail, there are 21 stations with interpretive signs in Thai and English, providing insights into the diverse landscapes and ecosystems of the area.
To get to Doi Inthanon National Park, visitors can drive from Chiang Mai, with a distance of about 110 kilometres. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the park is open all year round. The Kew Mae Pan trail, however, is closed during the rainy season. When planning a visit, it is recommended to check the weather conditions, especially if you want to enjoy the mountain views, as heavy fog can obstruct the visibility.
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Guided tour
The Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is a 2.1-mile loop trail near Doi Lo, Chiang Mai, in Thailand. It is located in Doi Inthanon National Park, which is home to Thailand's highest peak. The trail is relatively easy to hike, with an elevation gain of 623 ft, and takes an average of 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. The best times to visit are from November through March, avoiding the smoky season from March to May when farmers burn their fields.
To get to the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail, you can drive or take a guided tour from Chiang Mai. The drive from Chiang Mai is approximately 110 km, and you can follow Highway 108 and 1009. Once you pass the checkpoint, you will see the Royal stupas on your left, and the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail will be immediately after. The drive up past the stupas is a bit steep, so be prepared for a challenging climb.
Alternatively, you can book a guided tour that includes transportation to and from your hotel in Chiang Mai. These tours typically depart between 7:00 and 7:30 am and include entrance fees, a local guide, and sometimes even lunch. The guided tours will also take you to other attractions in Doi Inthanon National Park, such as the King and Queen's Pagoda, the Royal Project, and the Wachirathan Waterfall.
When visiting the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail, it is important to note that you will need to hire a local guide. The guide fee is 200 baht for a group of up to 10 people, and they will provide you with a bamboo hiking stick. The trail is closed during the rainy season, from June to October, so plan your visit accordingly.
The trail can be divided into three stages, with a total of 21 stations. The first stage is a dense cloud forest walk through moss and ferns. The second stage is a scenic open grassland with bright sunshine. The third stage takes you back into the forest, with temperatures a few degrees lower than outside. Along the way, you will pass by the King and Queen chedis and a podium where you can rest and enjoy the sounds of nature.
Remember to bring a bottle of water and wear comfortable clothing, including long sleeves, pants, and sneakers. The temperature can drop to as low as 0°C during the winter months (December to February), so a jacket is recommended.
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Getting there
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is located inside Doi Inthanon National Park, which is about 110km from Chiang Mai. The park is home to Thailand's highest peak, which stands at 2,565 meters above sea level. The trail itself sits at 2,200 meters above sea level.
If you are coming from downtown Chiang Mai by car or motorbike, follow Google Maps to the point 18.55555 98.48235. The trail entrance is located in a huge car park area, about 500 meters past the entrance to the twin chedis. You will see a big sign as soon as you turn into the car park.
You can also get to the trail by local taxi, red taxi, or rented motorbike. Some tour operators also arrange day trips to the National Park, which may include Kew Mae Pan on their itinerary.
The trail is open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is closed during the rainy season, from June to October.
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Trail conditions
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is a 2.1-mile loop trail in Doi Inthanon National Park, which is home to Thailand's highest peak. The trail is generally considered easy to hike, with an elevation gain of 623 ft. It takes an average of 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete, although some hikers have reported taking up to 4 hours. The trail is suitable for beginners, but it is not recommended for people who cannot climb stairs as some parts require uphill hiking. The trail is also not suitable for dogs.
The trail is located at an elevation of 2,200 meters above sea level, and the temperature can be quite chilly, especially during the winter months (December to February). It is important to dress appropriately with long sleeves, pants, and a jacket. Sturdy shoes are also recommended.
The trail is open from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, and the best time to visit is from November to March. However, it is closed during the rainy season, from June to October. The trail is accessible via a parking lot near the trailhead, and there is a fee of 30 baht per car. Visitors are required to hire a local Hmong guide, which costs 200 baht for a group of up to 10 people. The guides have expert knowledge of the route but speak very little English.
The trail can be divided into three stages, consisting of a total of 21 stations with interpretive signs in Thai and English explaining the different landscapes and ecosystems. The first stage is a dense cloud forest full of moss and ferns, with Mae Pan Waterfall at Station 3. The second stage is a scenic open grassland with a panoramic viewpoint at Station 9. The third stage takes hikers back into the forest, with the temperature dropping a few degrees. Near the end of the trail, there is a podium at Station 20 where visitors can rest and enjoy the sounds of nature.
Overall, the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail offers a relatively easy hike with breathtaking views and a chance to immerse yourself in nature. It is a great option for beginners and nature lovers, but it is important to be prepared for the weather and trail conditions.
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Best time to visit
The Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is open from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, and the best time to visit is between November and March. The trail is closed during the rainy season, from June to October. The trail can get busy, so it is recommended to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds and heat.
The trail is located at a high elevation, so it is worth noting that it can get chilly at the top during certain times of the year. In the winter (December to February), temperatures can drop to as low as 0°C, so visitors should bring a jacket.
The best time to catch the sunrise at the viewpoint is around 6:40 am, and the sun is usually out in full force by 7:00 am.
It is not recommended to visit the trail from March to May, as it is the smoky season when farmers in northern Thailand burn their fields to prepare the land and get rid of agricultural waste for the following season. Most accommodations are closed during this time.
If you are hoping to see the sea of clouds, the best time to visit is from November to February.
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Frequently asked questions
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is located inside Doi Inthanon National Park, which is about 110km from Chiang Mai. You can get there by car, local taxi, red taxi, motorbike or by joining a trekking group.
There is no entrance fee for the trail, but you will need to pay the National Park entrance fee. You will also need to pay a compulsory guide fee of 200 baht for a group of visitors (no more than 10 people).
The trail is 2.1 miles (3.2km) long and takes 2-4 hours to complete.
The trail is generally considered an easy route, but it is not recommended for people who cannot climb stairs as some parts require uphill hiking.
The best time to visit is November through to March. The trail is closed during the rainy season, from June to October.
