The area surrounding Chiang Mai not only offers numerous well-developed campsites, but also many beautiful hiking trails due to its mountainous terrain. Some of these trails are ideal for two-day, one-night trips, but there are no established rest stops or campsites along the way. Therefore, you’ll need to bring all your own camping gear, along with enough water and food. In this article, I will introduce a few suitable hiking routes for wild camping, allowing you to enjoy nature while challenging yourself and taking in the stunning views.
Preparations
Wild camping requires more thorough preparation compared to regular camping. You can refer to the camping checklist I previously wrote Camping Checklist. In addition to the basics, wild camping requires special attention to the following:
- Inform your friends or family of your itinerary and location, ensuring they know your expected return time.
- Bring a fully charged phone and carry a portable charger with you.
- Always monitor the weather forecast. Since these routes are less frequented by tourists and lack proper infrastructure, it’s best to avoid heading out in bad weather.
Wild Camping and Hiking Trails in Chiang Mai
All of these hiking trails and camping spots are free of charge.
Doi Langka Noi
This is a moderately challenging hiking route, perfect for those looking to push themselves. The trail is not particularly popular, so you won’t encounter many tourists, allowing you to fully enjoy the serenity of nature. Starting from Chiang Mai’s Old City, it takes about an hour and a half to reach the base of the trail, where you can park your car in the village of Ban Mae Ton Luang( around here). This circular route takes approximately three hours leads to the highest point of Doi Langka Noi, which is an excellent campsite offering unobstructed views of the night sky. On the way down, you’ll pass by streams and coffee plantations, making it a beautiful and interesting trek.
Doi Nangmo
Located less than an hour’s drive from Chiang Mai’s Old City, the starting point for this hike is near the Doi Nang Moh Reservoir. The entire trail is about 10 kilometers long, with some steep sections, so bringing gloves can be helpful. Though challenging, the stunning mountain and lake views make it well worth the effort.
Doi Pha Ngam ผาแง่ม
This trail is located deep in the Doi Inthanon mountain range, away from the usual tourist routes. It takes about two hours by car from Chiang Mai’s Old City. You can park near a local temple and begin your hike. The path is steep and takes 3-4 hours to reach the campsite, which sits at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, so it’s important to bring warm clothing. Though the hike is challenging, the breathtaking views from the summit will make all the effort worthwhile.
Recommended Hiking Apps
1. Maps.me
Maps.me is an incredibly useful mapping app, especially for hikers and campers. It offers detailed offline maps, covering not only city streets but also hiking trails and elevation changes. It’s an indispensable tool for any trekking adventure.
2. AllTrails
AllTrails is an app specifically designed for professional hikers. It provides detailed records of various trails, for example : Elevation gain, Terrain information, Reviews and photos from other hikers… You can also contribute your own hiking experiences to the community.
While AllTrails offers detailed map information, downloading specific content requires a paid membership. Generally, I thoroughly review the detailed information of the mountain on AllTrails before hiking and use it in conjunction with Maps.me to ensure a safe and smooth hiking experience.
The above are some brief records of wild camping and hiking around Chiang Mai. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out at [email protected]. For camping gear rentals, you can also visit our rental page.