Doi Suthep Hiking Trail (Wat Pha Lat) — Attraction in Chiang Mai Province

Walked up from Wat Pha Lat to Pha That mid-day 30Jul. It was a cloudy day with a slight drizzle when we walked up from the base at the end of the CM University road.

This review is about the section from Pha Lat to Pha That even though we also did the lower hike. The terrain today (after occasional rain the past days) is soft but not muddy. Most reviewers recommend a trail/hiking shoes. However I did it with my Teva sandals and it was not an issue. As it's compact mud, you have to watch where you step to avoid the slippery parts.

As for the difficulty, there are certain sections which are steep but the terrain is carved out as little steps so it's like walking up stairs many times.

I saw families with kids (12yr) so it's manageable as long as you hv good soles.

From Pha Lat, you can either walk up to the main road or use a trail following the river on the right side upstream. It's pretty steep and you may need to use your hands as support on certain sections. You will reach the road after crossing over the metal barriers. Cross over, and walk up and turn right on the 1st opening you see. It is slightly hidden. Walk up the trail about 30-45mins.

Upon reaching the first road hairpin(step steps!), you need to turn right where you will see a note with a little map on a fence/gate. It tells you to follow the "private" road and turn left up some steps just before the private house. However, the dogs (as mentioned by others) will probably come running out barking even before you have a chance to reach the steps. Just grab some sticks or use your backpacks as a shield and walk slowly towards the steps. In the pictures of previous reviewers, there is a sign that shows you where the steps are but that sign is not there today.

Once you are up these steps (not 90° left turn but more like 120°), you are almost at the top. When you hit the next tarmac road, turn left.

Hope this helps. I did not have time to take much photos as I was in a hurry as I sent my family up by car while I walked up. Took me about 45mins at a steady pace but...

The trail head wasn’t clearly marked but I found it after reading several blogs online. I drew a map from wat pha lat below.

After you get up the first bit of dirt stairs to the rock with the view, there‘s a split: one path that goes into the trees and the other path was open but under the power lines. We followed a random man to the left, under the power lines, which led to more natural dirt steps.

I thought I was athletic until I did this hike. I was sweating like crazy and paused several times to catch my breath. The hike was steep and unmarked but still fairly easy to follow. Took us about 1.5 hours to get to the temple.

The trail doesn’t lead straight to the temple. When the jungle trail ended, we walked on the main road up to the temple. The hike was a challenge but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The stairs to the temple was the cherry on top ;) There were loads of people at the top of the temple and red trucks (song taew) which we paid to take...

I give this a high rating not because it was easy to hike but it was a real challenge.

It is a real survival trail, like in the movie predator.

Bring your machete to cut through the forest.

Otherwise you will not make it through.

I tried with a stick but that didn’t work.

In fact my wife and I only made it half way and returned to the beginning of the trail.

My wife fell three times in the slippery river.

We could not find the actual trail to the top.

It was all grown shut and packed with spider webs.

This trail is not a walk in the park.

There are no signs and there is no real path way to follow.

Regardless it was a real jungle mountain adventure, perhaps even dangerous.

I recommend this to...