Hiking Near the City : Pha Daeng and Pha Maan, Chiang Mai
- Pornwadee Bhacharoensuk
- Jan 11
- 5 min read
Quick Information
Location
Pha Daeng and Pha Maan, San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai
Trail Distance
Approximately 4.30 km (round trip)
Difficulty Level
Easy
Suitable for beginners
Not too steep
Starting Point
Phra Chao Thanjai
Hiking Time
Uphill around 1.5 hours
Downhill around 1 hour
Best Time to Visit
November to early February
Entrance Fee
Free
What & where are Pha Daeng & Pha Maan?
Pha Daeng and Pha Maan are two viewpoints on the same trail in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai.
They are not far from the city center, just a little over one hour away.
This hike is perfect for people who want to enjoy nature but do not want to travel too far.
The trail is easy and suitable for beginners.
It is not very steep, so you can walk comfortably and enjoy the surroundings.
How to Get There
There is no public transportation to the starting point.
You can get there by car or motorbike.
The road going up is a bit steep, but regular cars can still access it.
If you prefer to book a car with a driver, you can contact me for arrangements.
The starting point of the hike is Phra Chao Thanjai.
When you arrive, you will see a large white Buddha statue.
I recommend paying respect before starting the hike.
Nearby, you will see a camera station.
There is a notice asking hikers to speak to the camera and share basic information such as your name, phone number, how many people are hiking, and your starting time.
This is part of the safety system of Mae Takhrai National Park, even though there is no entrance fee.
After that, walk across to the other side of the area.
There is no sign showing where the trail begins.
If you do not read reviews or prepare information beforehand, you might not even realize that this is the hiking trail.
This is one of the reasons why there are not many people here.
Hiking Overview
The trail is mostly red dirt and loose soil.
Going up is easy and comfortable, but on the way down it can be slippery if you’re not careful.
There are some rocks along the way.
Even with many fallen leaves on the trail, the path is still clear and easy to follow.
From the starting point, it takes about one hour to reach Pha Daeng.
After that, it takes around 20 minutes to walk from Pha Daeng to Pha Maan.
Overall, the uphill hike takes about 1.5 hours, and the downhill walk takes a little over 1 hour.
On the Trail to Pha Daeng
The trees along the trail are similar to what I saw on my hike at Doi Ngum.
However, this place feels different.
I believe these trees are called Dipterocarpus.
If I got the name wrong, my apologies!
Even though there are almost no people, it is not completely silent.
Sometimes, you can hear the sound of motorbikes in the distance.
Because of this, it may not be ideal for people who want absolute silence.
But if you want a hike without going too far from the city, this trail is a good choice.
Pha Daeng Viewpoint
The view at Pha Daeng is beautiful.
I really love the main mountain here. It stands out clearly, while the other mountains layer together in a complex and beautiful way.
You can also see villages below.
On that day, the sky did not look very clear or bright.
It might have been because it was getting close to the burn season.
There is no sign saying that you have arrived at Pha Daeng and Pha Maan.
The only sign you will see is a warning sign that says to be careful of falling.
If it is your first time here, you might not even know that you have reached the viewpoint.
From Pha Daeng to Pha Maan
The walk from Pha Daeng to Pha Maan takes about 20 minutes.
The trail continues through the forest, and the atmosphere remains calm.
At Pha Maan, the view is wider.
You can see villages far below, although they are quite far away and not very clear in photos.
I felt so comfortable because there was no one around.
I didn’t have to worry about anything and could just be myself.
It was around noon when I arrived.
I had lunch there. I brought my own food.
Nothing fancy, just simple food that was easy to eat.
Just a reminder that there are no toilets on the mountain,
so choose food that’s easy on your stomach.
After lunch, I spent some time sitting and enjoying the view.
I wanted to meditate, but it wasn’t quiet enough, so I just closed my eyes and relaxed in the sun lol.
The sun felt nice and not too hot.
On the way back, it took me 1 hour and 10 minutes.
You can go down the same way you came up.
Before going home, you should speak to the camera again to say what time you got back, or you can just wave at it.
This lets them know that you are safe.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
I went hiking in January, which made the weather very comfortable.
The sunlight was strong, but the air was cool and pleasant.
I highly recommend visiting this trail between November and early February.
The weather during this time is much better for hiking and enjoying the views.
Preparing
This hike does not require much preparation.
Bringing enough drinking water is usually enough.
The trail is not very difficult.
You do not really need hiking poles.
If you have one and feel more comfortable using it, you can bring it.
If not, it is totally fine to hike without one.
And if you like, you can bring some snacks, like chocolate or any energy-boosting food for the hike.
Do You Need a Guide?
You do not need a guide for this hike.
The trail is marked with red ribbons, so it is easy to follow.
However, if you would like to hike with a guide, you can contact me.
What I Like About This Trip
On that day, I was the only one on the trail
(not counting the person filming lol)
The hike was easy and not tiring, more like a calm walk in the forest.
I really like being in nature, especially when it is quiet.
Hikes like this make me feel relaxed and happy again.
If you ask me which one I like more, I actually prefer Pha Daeng.
The view there feels closer, and you can see the mountains nearby.
Pha Maan has a wider view and you can see more mountains, but they look farther away.
If you come here, I think you should visit both spots to enjoy the full experience.
I want to find more small hiking places like this.
If you want to follow my trips or see the full video, you can check the link below.
If you’d like to join me for a hike sometime, you’re very welcome.
Thanks for reading!
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