He longs for Sukhothai, its mist, rain, and breeze.

Excluding the lack of amenities at the mountaintop camp, many people have commented on the difficulty of the trail, describing it as so steep that it feels life-threatening, even though it is only 3.7 kilometers long.

Things to Know:

Khao Luang National Park: A Guide for Visitors

Open All Year Round: Unlike other national parks in Thailand, Khao Luang remains open throughout the year, offering visitors year-round access to its natural wonders.

Self-Guided Exploration: Visitors can register at the park headquarters and embark on self-guided hikes along designated nature trails, eliminating the need for a park ranger escort.

Challenging Terrain: Be prepared for a challenging climb, as approximately 80% of the trail consists of steep inclines.

Halfway Point: The halfway mark of the 3.7-kilometer trail is marked by a pair of Takhian trees adorned with traditional Thai silk scarves.

Water Replenishment: Water stations are conveniently located along the trail, ensuring ample hydration throughout your hike.

Porter Services: For those who prefer assistance with their belongings, porters are available for hire at a rate of 25 baht per kilogram.

Climbing Restrictions: To ensure visitor safety, climbing is prohibited after 2:00 PM.

Waste Management: A 200 baht deposit is required per group/individual to encourage responsible waste disposal. Remember to bring your trash back down (black bags are provided) to receive a refund upon departure.

Camping Facilities: The campsite can accommodate approximately 300-400 campers, with a maximum capacity of 700.

Intermittent Phone Signal: While phone reception is available at the campsite, it can be intermittent.

Pancake the Mountain Dog: Feel free to bring treats for Pancake, the resident mountain dog.

Separate Restrooms: The campsite offers separate male and female restrooms with sufficient facilities to meet visitor needs.

Highest Peak: Khao Luang boasts the highest peak in the area, known asยอดแม่ย่า, reaching an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level.

Three Main Peaks: The park features three main peaks: Yod Chedi, Yod Mae Ya, and Yod Phu Ka.

Sunrise Viewpoint: Witness breathtaking sunrises from Phra Narai Cliff (1,160 msl), located on the eastern side, a mere 10-minute walk (400 meters) from the campsite.

Sunset Viewpoint: For panoramic sunset views, head to Yod Mae Ya (1,200 msl), a 25-minute hike (900 meters) from the campsite, passing the helicopter landing pad and entering the forest before ascending the peak.

Western Viewpoint: Yod Chedi (1,185 msl) offers unobstructed views of the western side of the mountain, accessible within 15 minutes (500 meters) from the southwestern edge of the campsite.

Western Viewpoint (Alternative Route): To reach Yod Phu Ka, the westernmost viewpoint, follow the descent path from Yod Mae Ya. Upon entering the forest, look for a sign indicating a 1-kilometer (15-20 minute) walk to the peak.

Accommodation compensation rate...

Camping Equipment Rental Rates

Tent:

• 3-person tent: 225 Baht/tent/night
• 2-person tent: 150 Baht/tent/night

Sleeping Gear:

• Sleeping bag: 30 Baht/piece/night
• Sleeping mat: 20 Baht/mat/night
• Large blanket: 30 Baht/blanket/night
• Small blanket: 20 Baht/blanket/night

Mat rental: 20 baht per piece per night

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To provide a clearer picture, I will include some images from previous trips.

The forest is relatively lush, with well-defined nature trails. There are rest stops and water refill points at regular intervals, with water piped down from the mountaintop. While there may be some mosquitoes and insects at the beginning of the trail, they decrease as you ascend.

The terrain is steep, with an 80% incline, alternating between rocky sections and challenging paths. Porters are available to help carry luggage for 25 baht per kilogram. Those who wish to hike without luggage can do so. The hike takes approximately 3-5 hours. (The park opens for hiking at 8:00 AM and closes for entry after 2:00 PM.)

Not far from the beautiful Bodhi tree, on the right-hand side, there is a small cave formed by overlapping rocks. You can walk into the cave to pay respects to the bas-relief sculpture (the name of the sculpture is unknown).

The day I arrived, a soft white mist floated in to welcome me.

I arrived at the camp around 12:00 p.m. but did not stay there. My plan was to hike around the area first and then return to the camp in the evening to rest.

The hiking trail starts from the camp and leads to the following peaks in order (the order can be adjusted according to your needs):

- Camp - Phra Narai Cliff - Pha Chom Prang - Khao Mae Ya - Yot Phu Ka (farthest) - Yot Chedi - Return to camp via Yot Chedi
- Camp - Phra Narai Cliff - Pha Chom Prang - Khao Mae Ya - Yot Chedi - Return to camp via Yot Chedi
- Camp - Phra Narai Cliff - Pha Chom Prang - Khao Mae Ya (watch the sunset) - Return to camp the same way as the way up
- Camp - Yot Chedi - Yot Phu Ka - Khao Mae Ya - Pha Chom Prang - Phra Narai Cliff - Return to camp
- The next morning, just go to see the sunrise at Phra Narai Cliff again, that's enough.

The trail leading to the pagoda summit reveals a vibrant forest, characteristic of the rainy season. A refreshing stream provides a welcome respite for weary travelers, offering a chance to wash their faces before ascending the 1,185-meter-high pagoda.

Pagoda

When I reached the pagoda, I was so busy resting that I didn't take many pictures to share with you. However, on the west side of the summit, there are rocks where you can sit and enjoy the breeze, relax, or even have lunch. When I was there, the sky was clear, there was a breeze, and the sun was shining, making it a perfect atmosphere for a picnic lunch.

A view of the pagoda's peak from the top of Mae Ya.

Sticky rice with grilled chicken is available at the five-star grilled chicken stall in front of the police box on Thanon Yai (Route 101) opposite Kiriman Witthaya School. It's a convenient option for lunch.

Lid of a Mortar and Pestle

The Thai word "ฝาชมปรง" refers to the lid of a mortar and pestle, a traditional tool used for grinding and crushing ingredients in Thai cuisine.

The lid is typically made of wood and fits snugly over the top of the mortar, preventing ingredients from splashing out during use. It also serves to contain the aromas and flavors of the ingredients being ground.

The mortar and pestle, along with its lid, are essential tools in Thai kitchens, used for preparing a wide variety of dishes, including curry pastes, sauces, and dips.

The cliff is located near Pha Narai. You can walk to the helicopter landing pad by walking along the fence of the telecommunications station to the north.

Pha Chomprong (using an old photo from a previous trip)

From the top of Mae Ya, we can walk up to take beautiful pictures at the Pha Chomprong viewpoint, as indicated by the arrow.

Beyond the mist lies the peak of Phu Ga.

The Unveiling of Pha Chomprong

Phra Narai Gate

Although it is the rainy season and there is no spectacular sea of mist, the atmosphere of the mist and rain provides a different kind of experience.

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The atmosphere of Pha Narai when the sky is clear

Peak of Doi Mae Ya

A short hike from the camp, approximately 20-30 minutes, leads to a peak offering panoramic views of sunrises and sunsets. The spacious area provides ample opportunities for photography from various angles.

The trail to the top of Mae Ya is a small forest with no danger. The path is clear.

Peak of the Mountain

Many people who come for a 2-day, 1-night trip may not reach this peak due to its distance and the fatigue from climbing the mountain. If possible, I highly recommend visiting this peak at least once. It is a quiet and secluded place with very few people. On the day I visited, the sky was overcast, resulting in fog covering the western horizon, obscuring the view. T T

Before us lies the peak of Mae Ya.

The park provides tents and amenities, including restrooms, bedding, and dry food and snacks for sale. Visitors can come empty-handed, register, and hike to the scenic peak. However, I prefer sleeping in a hammock, so I had to find a quiet place to hang it. The photos may look a bit scary, but there is actually a terraced camping area with neatly trimmed grass. It's definitely worth a visit.

Phu Kradueng, despite its grandeur, pales in comparison to the majestic Khao Luang of Sukhothai.

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