It definitely exists. Goes from Phongsali via the attached waypoint on the Nam Ou River, so North Easterly direction from Phongsali initially. I assume it does a big loop as it’s about 170kms between Phongsali and Samphan. I am trying to map manually using satellite imagery but can’t seem to complete route, I guess there must be some new roads not shown that complete the route. Off to Laos again with friends in Jan ‘26 and looking to add this leg in. Might do in opposite direction, Muang Khua, Samphan, Phongsali. Cheers Phil
Anyone know details of trail from Phongsali to Samphan?
- Thread starter Krixos
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Hi Chris,
Sure, happy to share. I've attached a summary I made for the group of the whole trip, there are a few changes on this already so not completely formalized yet as I am still working the finer details. Note we have quite a bit of time set aside for our trip. The details on the current deviations from the attached plan are below and the Phongsali/Samphan component, the subject of my thread request is part of the possible changes once I get a handle on the details
1. Day trip loop Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoy back to Nong Khiaw
2. Muang Khua to Samphan to Phongsali - this could be long trip without fuel available at Samphan (I am told) so extra fuel may be needed. This is on the way up North to Phongsali then down to the Western of the loop from Phongsali.
Once I have the trip more thoroughly planned I am happy to share the GPX files for each leg, I break it up into daily GPX files or near abouts. I use Guru maps app on the Iphone as per our last Lao trip with CalTopo as backup as I can add imagery for offline use which is handy sometimes.
Cheers Phil
Sure, happy to share. I've attached a summary I made for the group of the whole trip, there are a few changes on this already so not completely formalized yet as I am still working the finer details. Note we have quite a bit of time set aside for our trip. The details on the current deviations from the attached plan are below and the Phongsali/Samphan component, the subject of my thread request is part of the possible changes once I get a handle on the details
1. Day trip loop Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoy back to Nong Khiaw
2. Muang Khua to Samphan to Phongsali - this could be long trip without fuel available at Samphan (I am told) so extra fuel may be needed. This is on the way up North to Phongsali then down to the Western of the loop from Phongsali.
Once I have the trip more thoroughly planned I am happy to share the GPX files for each leg, I break it up into daily GPX files or near abouts. I use Guru maps app on the Iphone as per our last Lao trip with CalTopo as backup as I can add imagery for offline use which is handy sometimes.
Cheers Phil
criss
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- Aug 3, 2011
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Hi Phil, thanks for the update…let me know when you have the route finalized... -not much recent information online that I can find.
We are looking at 7-10 days ex Luang Prabang.
Cheers
Chris
We are looking at 7-10 days ex Luang Prabang.
Cheers
Chris
Hi Chris,
With that timeframe you might want to do the route we did in March/April this year. It's known as the Northern Loop and we took 6 days travelling every day- so having a few days to loiter makes it more relaxed. If you're interested I can give you GPX files broken up for each day with the exception where there are two days that have two files as it was the only way I could get my mapping program to auto-route the path I wanted. There were only two instances where the turn-offs had changed and I can give you the details for those. This loop also takes you to Long Tieng, the famous "Most secret Place in the World". Its a good intro to Laos.
The route was via, and with overnight stops at:
Start: Luang Prabang
Nong Khiaw
Mung Hiam
Phonosavan
Long Tieng
Vang Vieng
Lurang Prabang
With that timeframe you might want to do the route we did in March/April this year. It's known as the Northern Loop and we took 6 days travelling every day- so having a few days to loiter makes it more relaxed. If you're interested I can give you GPX files broken up for each day with the exception where there are two days that have two files as it was the only way I could get my mapping program to auto-route the path I wanted. There were only two instances where the turn-offs had changed and I can give you the details for those. This loop also takes you to Long Tieng, the famous "Most secret Place in the World". Its a good intro to Laos.
The route was via, and with overnight stops at:
Start: Luang Prabang
Nong Khiaw
Mung Hiam
Phonosavan
Long Tieng
Vang Vieng
Lurang Prabang
criss
Junior Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2011
- Bikes
- Honda Africa twin,Honda crf450,cbr1000,ducati 900ss,honda wave
criss
Junior Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2011
- Bikes
- Honda Africa twin,Honda crf450,cbr1000,ducati 900ss,honda wave
Hi Phil,
Thanks for the info.This is our 4th time to Laos and we have already done that loop twice, (including Sam Nuea), that’s why we were looking further north.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get much information for that area, especially with all the Chinese construction/dam building going on… it’s changed alot, and the reports I’ve seen are not recent.…you have any luck?
cheers
Chris
Thanks for the info.This is our 4th time to Laos and we have already done that loop twice, (including Sam Nuea), that’s why we were looking further north.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get much information for that area, especially with all the Chinese construction/dam building going on… it’s changed alot, and the reports I’ve seen are not recent.…you have any luck?
cheers
Chris
Yes you're right, a lot of dam construction and not much new info. I'll share my files when completed, but I don't think I get the segment that is the subject of this thread sorted before I go. I might at least get to Samphan but not sure I'll get Samphan - Phongsali path. But who knows my luck, stay tuned!
Hey Phil,
That route from Phongsali to Samphan via the Nam Ou River sounds like a serious adventure. You're right that it's tricky to map because much of northern Laos sees constant road development, and satellite imagery often lags behind actual ground conditions by months or even years. The 170km distance suggests the road does loop significantly, probably following river valleys and mountain ridges rather than taking any direct route.
From what I know about that region, the roads connecting these remote areas are often a mix of paved sections, dirt tracks, and recently upgraded paths that won't show up on Google Maps or older GPS data. Local villages sometimes cut new connector roads between valleys that completely bypass the old routes. Your idea to run it Muang Khua → Samphan → Phongsali makes sense since you'd be coming from a more established starting point.
A few practical tips for your January 2026 trip:
Road conditions: January sits in Laos' dry season, which means better riding conditions, but mornings can bring heavy fog in the mountains that limits visibility. The roads in this area tend to be steep with loose gravel on corners.
Fuel and supplies: Samphan is tiny, so top up your tank in Muang Khua before heading out. Carry extra fuel if possible since stations can be far apart or occasionally run dry in remote areas.
Local knowledge: When you hit Muang Khua, ask around at guesthouses or motorcycle rental shops. Locals and other riders who've done the route recently will have the most current intel on road conditions, construction, and any seasonal closures.
Mapping tools: Try using Maps.me or Osmand offline maps, which sometimes have more updated trail data than Google. Download the region before you go since cell coverage will be nonexistent for long stretches.
For detailed route planning and professional support on remote Laos rides, you might want to reach out to Vietnamese Motorbike Tours at vietnamesemotorbiketours.com. They run cross-border tours into Laos and have guides who know these northern routes intimately. They could probably provide GPS tracks or at least confirm the current state of that Phongsali-Samphan connection.
Safe riding, and enjoy that January trip!
That route from Phongsali to Samphan via the Nam Ou River sounds like a serious adventure. You're right that it's tricky to map because much of northern Laos sees constant road development, and satellite imagery often lags behind actual ground conditions by months or even years. The 170km distance suggests the road does loop significantly, probably following river valleys and mountain ridges rather than taking any direct route.
From what I know about that region, the roads connecting these remote areas are often a mix of paved sections, dirt tracks, and recently upgraded paths that won't show up on Google Maps or older GPS data. Local villages sometimes cut new connector roads between valleys that completely bypass the old routes. Your idea to run it Muang Khua → Samphan → Phongsali makes sense since you'd be coming from a more established starting point.
A few practical tips for your January 2026 trip:
Road conditions: January sits in Laos' dry season, which means better riding conditions, but mornings can bring heavy fog in the mountains that limits visibility. The roads in this area tend to be steep with loose gravel on corners.
Fuel and supplies: Samphan is tiny, so top up your tank in Muang Khua before heading out. Carry extra fuel if possible since stations can be far apart or occasionally run dry in remote areas.
Local knowledge: When you hit Muang Khua, ask around at guesthouses or motorcycle rental shops. Locals and other riders who've done the route recently will have the most current intel on road conditions, construction, and any seasonal closures.
Mapping tools: Try using Maps.me or Osmand offline maps, which sometimes have more updated trail data than Google. Download the region before you go since cell coverage will be nonexistent for long stretches.
For detailed route planning and professional support on remote Laos rides, you might want to reach out to Vietnamese Motorbike Tours at vietnamesemotorbiketours.com. They run cross-border tours into Laos and have guides who know these northern routes intimately. They could probably provide GPS tracks or at least confirm the current state of that Phongsali-Samphan connection.
Safe riding, and enjoy that January trip!
Vietzay
Thank you so much for you comments and advice, particularly to ask at motorcycle hire places at Muang Khua.
Because of the route uncertainty , fuel requirements and time we've decided to play a safer game and go from Muang Khua to Samphan, cross the river and head west across the hills through a few offshoots here and there then join the road to Boun Tai. I have asked some tour companies for route info in the past, but understandable they don't want to pass on these "gems" of routes as they are hard earned IP and they want to have people do tours.
I generally use Guru Maps on the road but also have Map.me and Osmand app on my phone as you have recommended. Each one seems to have it's own advantage and differing map detail and I also use SASPlanet and ExpertGPS to sometimes plot/modify route creations and check with imagery. You are right about imagery, sometimes it appears quite recent , other times if can be quite old and a mix in anyone program as you move across imagery tiles.
Criss, if you are reading, I haven't forgotten about you. I almost have all the routes created. Just doing some double checking. We fly on the 9th Jan so I expect I will release a couple of days before hand. If this is too late, I can send what I have now. There is nothing too exotic.
Vitzay - thanks again for responding!
Thank you so much for you comments and advice, particularly to ask at motorcycle hire places at Muang Khua.
Because of the route uncertainty , fuel requirements and time we've decided to play a safer game and go from Muang Khua to Samphan, cross the river and head west across the hills through a few offshoots here and there then join the road to Boun Tai. I have asked some tour companies for route info in the past, but understandable they don't want to pass on these "gems" of routes as they are hard earned IP and they want to have people do tours.
I generally use Guru Maps on the road but also have Map.me and Osmand app on my phone as you have recommended. Each one seems to have it's own advantage and differing map detail and I also use SASPlanet and ExpertGPS to sometimes plot/modify route creations and check with imagery. You are right about imagery, sometimes it appears quite recent , other times if can be quite old and a mix in anyone program as you move across imagery tiles.
Criss, if you are reading, I haven't forgotten about you. I almost have all the routes created. Just doing some double checking. We fly on the 9th Jan so I expect I will release a couple of days before hand. If this is too late, I can send what I have now. There is nothing too exotic.
Vitzay - thanks again for responding!
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