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Thailand Mountain Trail has spent several years to find the most beautiful mountain trails around Chiang Mai. At the beginning of our research in 2013, we investigated the whole Doi Pui Suthep national park located just at the doorstep of the city. We were immediately seduced by the beauty and wildness of those areas which was still little known at this time.
This trip is held in the National Park of Doi Pui Suthep located 15 minutes’ drive from the city center of Chiang Mai. The route at the doorsteps of the city was discovered long time ago and is one of our favorite. It has everything to please all trail runners: a good elevation, some great flat parts, a changing atmosphere from jungle to pine forest and some local features such as temples and hill-tribe villages.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRIP
2'900
PICK UP AT YOUR HOTEL (8.00-8.30 AM)
CHIANG MAI CITY (15 MIN TRANSFER FROM TMT)
TEMPLES, JUNGLE
HMONG VILLAGES, VIEWS
BAN DOI PUI (45 MIN TRANSFER TO TMT)
DROP OFF AT YOUR HOTEL (4.00-5.00 PM)
ALL INCLUSIVE
SEE DETAILS (LINK)
5-6 HOURS RUNNING DAILY
90% SINGLE TRACK / 10% DOUBLE TRACK
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR
SUBJECT TO THE PARK’S OPENING
In the early hours of the morning the run leaves Chiang Mai towards the North and climbs straight up into the forest on a track previously used by pilgrims. In just a couple of minutes, it’s a complete change of atmosphere. It’s difficult to imagine we have just left the city, and we are now in a wild tropical forest. We follow the orange ribbons made from monk’s robes that mark the path until the temples.
Without transition we pass into rocky terrain which lasts until the almost fairy tale appearance of Wat Palaad, nestling on the bank of a river. A few kilometers further on the course crosses the site of Wat Doi Suthep, one of the most holy temples in Thailand. We will stop here for a short break to recover from the 700m elevation gain we’ve just achieved. The view over the valley of Chiang Mai is panoramic and imposing.
The route runs down the dizzyingly steep staircase from the temple of Doi Suthep, and then, without a break, plunges headlong into its first stretch of jungle. For many it comes as a shock. We have to find our bearings very quickly in these long green tunnels whose very density is impressive. The undulating paths are almost free of obstacles but in many places, they are punctuated by fallen branches and tree trunks which we have to step over…
As we emerge from the jungle, the run starts to climb again, up to the village of Chang Khian, the first Hmong village. After a break to enjoy local Arabica coffee, the slope gets progressively harder and becomes so steep that we have to use our hands to help us at some points. When we reach a magnificent line of ridges edged in pine trees, Doi Pui stands out in the distance. If we can see it, our feet can take us there!
After the summit, the last 5 kilometers lead us through the jungle again on a nice trail down to the finish point. It’s maybe the most pleasant part of the trip. After a long and difficult climb, we enjoy a comfortable downhill on an easy trail surrounded by tropical trees, bamboo and banana trees. We can relax the legs and increase the speed without any effort until we reach a beautiful garden that marks the entrance of the final Hmong village.
