Mount Phu Kradueng

1,316 m (4,318 ft)

It takes 2-3 hours to reach the plateau at the top of the mountain. The trek up is 5 km (0,6 mi) and the distance is the same for the trek down. However, the trek down takes about 3-4 hours, as the steep terrain and occasional crowds make the descent slower.

While one could technically finish this hike in one day, it is not common, as there is so much to explore at the top of the mountain. One could end up doing an extra 20km (12.4 mi) or more if one wanted to explore the many trails at the plateau, which is why most visitors choose to spend the night up on the mountain.

This trail is clearly marked and well-built. There are some steep sections, but the trail should be suitable for those of moderate fitness.

The trail starts out fairly steep on a stone road with steps built into it. It stays relatively steep for about the first half of the trail and flattens after that.
There are some points where the trail splits, but it always joins back into one trail, so it doesn’t matter which way you choose.

The terrain up the mountain consists of streams, waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, evergreen forests, ferns, bamboo at the higher altitudes, and grassland and pine trees near the top. There is also lots of wildlife and birds.

There are sections with built-in stairways to help hikers navigate the steeper terrain. Towards the top, there is a very steep section.

The ‘summit’ is actually a massive 60km²  (23.1 mi² ) plateau with a beautiful view of the terrain below. It may take about 40 minutes out of the 2-3 hours just to get to the campsite on the other side of the plateau. There is also lots to explore and many other trails at the top.

There are tents, restaurants, shops, and bicycles for rent at the top.

Hikers usually stay the night at the top and descend the following morning.

The route is the same for the descent.

The park is closed between June and September. During these months the trail is dangerous as it falls within the monsoon season, which brings heavy rains.

The park is open from October to the end of May.

The coldest and driest months are from November to January in Phu Kradueng Province. At this time the weather is cool and windy. The lows range from 16°C to 20°C (61°F to 67°F), and the highs range from 28°C to 29°C (83°F to 85°F). The mountain itself is known to be freezing in the winter months, especially at night. There is an average of less than one day of rain per month in this period.

The hottest months of the year in the Phu Kradueng district are March, April, and May. The lows range from 22°C to 25°C (71°F to 77°F), and the highs range from 33°C to 35°C (91°F to 95°F). The amount of rain starts to increase from March to May; The average number of rainy days in March is 4 days which goes up to an average number of 15 rainy days in May as the year progresses into the monsoon season when the park closes.

You will need a good pair of hiking boots for this trek.

If you are camping you will need all your camping gear (if you are not hiring this at the top).

There are five rest stops along the trail with shops and restaurants that sell both food and drinks. All five are open during peak season, but only three are open during quieter periods of the year.

Some shops at the rest stops also sell certain gear like raincoats as well as souvenirs.

At the plateau, there are tents and bungalows for rent as well as sleeping gear like mats and sleeping bags. The accommodations must be booked and paid for at the Visitor Centre at the base of the mountain. There are also ablutions, bicycle rentals, and restaurants.

There is no official requirement for guides on this hike, and they are not necessary. The trail is clearly marked with signposts, and it is well-maintained. There is almost no way to get lost on the main trail up to the plateau.

Porters may be helpful for those with lots of luggage but are not required if you pack light. Porters are easily accessible, as they are often hired to bring supplies up the mountain for the shops and restaurants.

Phu Kradueng is located within Phu Kradueng National Park in North-eastern Thailand, Loei province, Phu Kradueng district. It is 7 hours away from Bangkok by car.

The easiest way to make your way to the starting point from Bangkok is on private or public transport to get to Phu Kradueng National Park, or by getting a domestic flight to Loei and then travelling to the park from there on a songthaew (local taxi) for the last stretch.

There are two concerns regarding safety on this mountain. The first is that there are wild elephants that pose a threat on certain trails after 3 pm. These trails are usually closed around this time.

The second is that there have been incidents of violence along the border before, so despite the popularity of this trail travellers should be aware and cautious when travelling anywhere near the border.