Doi Suthep

1,676m (5,499ft)

The most common trail up Doi Suthep is called Monk’s trail. It takes about 3-5 hours to complete, taking you first to the Wat Pha Lat temple, and then over a second more strenuous section to the Doi Suthep Temple at the top.

The trail is mostly groomed with a wide road in some sections, and other parts with a gentle slope cleared out among trees. Most of the trail is in the forest with parts of it along a creek with some nice waterfalls.

The first part to the Wat Pha Lat temple is easy. The second however is narrower and steeper and can be difficult to navigate especially in the wet season when rain can make the pathway slippery and treacherous.

From November to February are the best months for this hike.

The months immediately after (March through May) are the hottest time of the year in Chiang Mai, and it can get unbearably warm in the middle of the day, so it’s recommended to avoid mid-day hours during the hot season.

Rains in Chiang Mai occur from May to October, and while the hike remains open the trail can get a little slippery during these months.

Get a pair of good shoes that can help you navigate the trail if it’s slippery, but you won’t need much else for this hike.

Make sure to bring drinking water in your backpack if the weather is hot, and some food if you’d like, but you won’t need much else on this short hike.

The trail is open throughout the year and doesn’t need any guides or porters. There are orange ribbons tied to the trees along the way (although mostly in the first section) so you can’t get easily lost.

Doi Suthep is a short drive from Chiang Mai, a popular tourist town in Thailand. You can get a taxi or a songthaew (Thai-style open taxi) to get to the trailhead.

Being a popular destination, you are likely to have company most times of the year. If you’re alone though and would like to be careful, make the hike during the day so you can be up and down before sunset.