Thailand

The Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is a must-visit hiking and trekking trail for nature lovers. It is located in the Doi Inthanon National Park area, home to the highest peak in Thailand. This trail stretches over a distance of 2.78 kilometers and will reward you with one of the most beautiful panoramic views in Thailand. Between a sea of clouds and mountains covered in lush jungle, the setting gives this hike an extraordinary and essential aspect for travelers venturing to the north of the country.

Upon arrival at the starting point

The trail is located 2,200 meters above sea level, just a few hundred meters from Thailand's highest peak (2,565 meters).

The entrance to the trail is free (it is already covered by the entrance fee to Doi Inthanon National Park), but due to the dense and sometimes complicated forest to traverse, it is mandatory to hire a guide. This guide will be a member of the Hmong Hill tribe. The guides are familiar with the route and the unforeseen challenges that the forest may present. The guide fee is only 200 baht for a group of visitors (no more than 10 people). At the starting point, you will be given a bamboo hiking stick, which the guide refers to as the "wooden support.".

A journey divided into three stages

Kew Mae Pan is a hiking loop, meaning visitors will return to the starting point at the end of the trail. The hiking trail can be divided into three stages and includes a total of 21 stations.

The first stage

The first stage is a hike through dense forest (stations 1 to 6) full of moss and ferns. The evergreen forest retains moisture from the clouds, making the air relatively cool and very pleasant to breathe. You can take a leisurely hike here, enjoying the oxygen and temperate climate. The trees are tall but not thick, struggling to get sunlight as the cloud regularly hits the mountain, saturating the entire forest with high humidity. At station 3, you can observe and listen to the beautiful Mae Pan waterfall, which is very relaxing and secluded.

The second stage

The second stage (stations 7 to 14) is a walk through the open meadow, where the blazing sun is hotter than a walk in the forest. This vast area changes color from green during the rainy season to a beautiful golden brown during the dry season. Station 9 is the panoramic viewpoint for taking "the" breathtaking mountain photo and where early risers await the magnificent sunrise.

Between stations 14 and 15 is the point where you can see the King and Queen chedis, namely the Pra Mahathat Napamaythaneedol Chedi and the Pra Mahathat Napapoommisiri Chedi.

The third stage

Station 15 is the final stage, where we return to the forest. The temperature in the forest is a few degrees lower than outside and can drop to 0°C in winter (December–February).

Near the end of the trail, there is a podium at station 20 for visitors to rest while enjoying the sounds of nature. You can hear the sound of the wind, the splashing of water, and the singing of birds.

Practical information

Some information may be useful to remember to avoid any unpleasant surprises and to visit the hiking location with full knowledge:

• Depending on the weather, visibility will alter your experience. It can be a clear-sky mountain view or trapped in a mist-covered mountain, sometimes with a magnificent view of a sea of clouds.
• Sunrise begins at 6:40 am and gives the site a stunning view until around 7:00 am. Don't panic if you miss it; the journey and the view upon arrival are equally stunning.
• Note that Doi Inthanon National Park is open all year round, but the Kew Mae Pan nature trail is closed from June to October during the rainy season.
• This highly-rated green trail takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete and is suitable for beginner hikers. However, it is not recommended for people who cannot climb stairs, as some parts of the trail are quite steep.
• The guides on-site generally do not speak English well at all. You just need to follow along, but don't expect to have a conversation or get information about the site, as they likely won't be able to translate their knowledge. However, at each station, an interpretation panel in Thai and English explains the different landscapes and ecosystems of the trail.