Phu Pha Lom Forest Park — Attraction in Loei Province

This is a neat park a few kilometers from our home in Muang Loei. It is situated in a crater-like depression in the surrounding hills (you have to climb steps up one side of the rim and descend the other side, down into the park). There is a concrete pathway that crosses the park nearly all of the way with unpaved paths for several hundred meters to access a right nice cave and an area for viewing the land bridge on the north eastern rim of the park. Something to note about this location is that in 2023, during a scientific field survey, a new species of giant pill millipede (25-30mm), Sphaerobelum turcosa, was discovered here. So keep your eyes peeled for this special creature, especially during rainy season. There is ample parking next to Wat Tham Pha Lom and a guest registry. There is about a 50-60 meter elevation change in the initial up/down section of the hike with nice concrete steps...

Peaceful and quiet, quite a hike, especially if you climb up to the cave, the trail for which branches off 500m into the main trail (I think it was called Phalam Cave) then it's another 350m to the left off the trail (a fair bit of which is a rock climb). The views from the campsite are spectacular. No mosquitos when we went early December and was nice and cool for the hike and climb. I wouldn't want to go in hot or wet seasons, it'd be slippery, buggy and very dehydrating. A cool season venture...

Great place! There is a trail which climb up first and then step down in a totally natural valley, covered by the forest. The path leads you till the base of a limestone mountain which has a huge hole in the wall. The landscape is stunning. Nearby there are even 2 caves and a springs. Since it's not yet so popular, this park looks natural and almost untouched. Beware the mosquitos because they are thousands and they won't forgive you, so, wear long trousers and sleeves, bring with you repellent...