Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is a must-do hiking and trekking trail not to be missed by nature lovers. It is located inside the area of Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest peak. Visitors to the National Park should include visiting this trail on their itinerary because the reward of hiking this short distance (2.78km) natural walk could be the most beautiful panoramic view you will ever see in Thailand.
This green highly-rated trail takes about 2-3 hours to finished and suitable for beginner level hikers. However, it is not recommended for people who cannot climb stairs because some trail parts require uphill hiking.
The trail sits at 2,200 meters above sea level, just a few hundred meters below Thailand’s highest peak (2,565 meters). Take note that Doi Inthanon National Park is opened all year but Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is closed from June to October i.e. the raining season. The trail does not charge an entrance fee (already covered by the National Park entrance fee) but due to the delicate thick forest, it is compulsory to hire a guide, which is the local Hmong hill tribe people who are highly expert on the route but speak very little English. The guide fee is only 200 baht for a group of visitors (not more than 10 people). At the starting point, you will be given a bamboo hiking stick, which the guide call them the “wooden support”.
How to Getting there?
Doi Inthanon National Park is Thailand’s highest mountain. The peak is about 110km from Chiang Mai, Drive on highway 108 and 1009. Once you pass the check point, keep driving and you will see the Royal stupas on your left. Immediately after the stupas is Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail. The drive up past the stupas is a little steep so you might want to press that gas pedal a little harder!