bsacbob
Administrator (Retired)
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2012
- Location
- Chiang Rai
- Bikes
- Honda CRM-AR 250, Honda CRF 250-L, Suzuki V Strom XT 650 Honda XR250 Baja BMW F650GS
The rainy season in Thailand can be a mixed bag and riding, especially dirt riding can be superb or a complete disaster. Today's ride would prove to be a little bit of both, myself and my mate had been camping earlier in the year on the side of Kio Kho Ma Dam and noticed lot's of trail in all directions and was worth a look for a return visit when we had our smaller bikes.
Previous reports in this area.
Chiang Rai to Chaing Dao
Phan Looping Ride
The route would take us down the river trail heading south towards the 120 and then 1035 to the dam, the river trail and it's connections to the 118 make for some fantastic day rides, although some sections are prone to landslides in the rainy season.
390km total distance.
First stop was the Nam Lot Caves, i had visited and camped at the Pha Tong Cave a few hundred metres away but not this one. Turns out it was a good hike to the actual cave so we gave it a miss, but it was a pretty spot none the less.
As the 3186 paved section finishes the dirt begins.
Ban Pha Wi is a very poor village but still manages to boast a very attractive temple.
This used to be the way across the river, but not today.
The ranger sign marks the start of the fun section.
Pretty steep descent down to the water from here, we did notice another new trail straight ahead but this is most likely for farmers crops only.
Start of the boggy stuff.
There is a bamboo bridge adjacent to this but it was broken up.
My mate Des is not fond of water crossings, this time he tiptoed through this one.
The trail is always muddy no matter what time of year, overnight rain just added to the fun.
Des had just had some new Mitas MT-07's fitted, so far no problems in the slippy stuff.
Some of these ponded ruts can catch you out they can be pretty deep.
The distance of the dirt section may only be around 15km but every turn is interesting.
Into the river bed.
Several bamboo or wood bridges, some in need of tlc.
Opening up now as we reach the first village and a drink stop at the local shop.
N19.37859° E99.61177°
From there passing by Wang Kaew waterfall onto the 1303 heading to the 120 and then onto the boring 1035, we decided on a detour to the Bruno coffee shop
N18.73216° E99.58145° the coffee is great, but the pizzas are not!
Making the turn to the dam, this is a great place to camp with fantastic karst mountains all around.
From here its all paved
Another good camping spot beside Huai Mae Yuark reservoir also marks the start of the dirt at
N18.77883° E99.64432°
The trail best described as a rough fire trail is fast being a mixture of rocks and sand you can really get a move on.
Since it was pretty dry we had been making good progress and I noticed this sign, not reading Thai I thought maybe it was an old Wat of some kind, my curiosity got the better of me so Des had a breather and I had a poke (turns out it was a sign for a cave).
Opened up into a beautiful landscape, so i followed the signs.
Not very well travelled for a wat i'm thinking.
Came inot his fantastic bamboo forest area, now single track.
Eventually, came to the bamboo gate, I figured it was closed for a reason and decided to head back to the trail, but a note to return in the dry season.
Sign saying this is the king's land apparentley.
We moved on and reached Tat Noi Waterfall, now this would be a great camping spot, clean fresh water and a small graded out camping spot.
N18.81459° E99.70284°
Small but flat camping area.
Rangers station a little up the road.
All the villages in the area are pretty poor, but all constructed using sizable lumps of timber.
More karst rock formations indicating lots of caves.
Reaching the village of Ban Piang Chai and time to pull over for a drink.
Kid's eager to pose for the camera.
All smiles despite just breaking her arm.
I asked her to smile this was the best she could manage.
As normal village section tended to have paved roads but short lived.
This chap was going nowhere, it was starting to rain now and we had just passed two trucks stuck in the mud making it impassible.
Another rangers station and welcoming sign.
Making the most of the rainfall.
A guy with a weed wacker to the left of the shot, he had his work cut out on that slope.
Never seen a structure like this before, the wife tells me its for growing beans but unsure.
Deralict child develpment cetre.
This is where the MT-07's started to struggle, the trail getting slick now from the rain and this was a long steep climb.
Picture doesn't do justice, Des hauling is bike up after losing traction on this steep section.
Turn to the viewpoint at
N18.81524° E99.80209°
From here was a long steep descent to our turn north.
As we approached the turn it was clear we would be heading into a huge storm cloud and decided to push on further east and try and stay ahead of it, the northbound trail would have to wait for another time.
N18.81459° E99.81975°
We finally made it to the pavement and the small village of Ban On, that was the end of a dry run from here it rained the whole way home a long but enjoyable day and lot's of reasons to return in the dry season with some camping gear.
gpxviewer_gpx_viewer
Previous reports in this area.
Chiang Rai to Chaing Dao
Phan Looping Ride
The route would take us down the river trail heading south towards the 120 and then 1035 to the dam, the river trail and it's connections to the 118 make for some fantastic day rides, although some sections are prone to landslides in the rainy season.
390km total distance.
First stop was the Nam Lot Caves, i had visited and camped at the Pha Tong Cave a few hundred metres away but not this one. Turns out it was a good hike to the actual cave so we gave it a miss, but it was a pretty spot none the less.
As the 3186 paved section finishes the dirt begins.
Ban Pha Wi is a very poor village but still manages to boast a very attractive temple.
This used to be the way across the river, but not today.
The ranger sign marks the start of the fun section.
Pretty steep descent down to the water from here, we did notice another new trail straight ahead but this is most likely for farmers crops only.
Start of the boggy stuff.
There is a bamboo bridge adjacent to this but it was broken up.
My mate Des is not fond of water crossings, this time he tiptoed through this one.
The trail is always muddy no matter what time of year, overnight rain just added to the fun.
Des had just had some new Mitas MT-07's fitted, so far no problems in the slippy stuff.
Some of these ponded ruts can catch you out they can be pretty deep.
The distance of the dirt section may only be around 15km but every turn is interesting.
Into the river bed.
Several bamboo or wood bridges, some in need of tlc.
Opening up now as we reach the first village and a drink stop at the local shop.
N19.37859° E99.61177°
From there passing by Wang Kaew waterfall onto the 1303 heading to the 120 and then onto the boring 1035, we decided on a detour to the Bruno coffee shop
N18.73216° E99.58145° the coffee is great, but the pizzas are not!
Making the turn to the dam, this is a great place to camp with fantastic karst mountains all around.
From here its all paved
Another good camping spot beside Huai Mae Yuark reservoir also marks the start of the dirt at
N18.77883° E99.64432°
The trail best described as a rough fire trail is fast being a mixture of rocks and sand you can really get a move on.
Since it was pretty dry we had been making good progress and I noticed this sign, not reading Thai I thought maybe it was an old Wat of some kind, my curiosity got the better of me so Des had a breather and I had a poke (turns out it was a sign for a cave).
Opened up into a beautiful landscape, so i followed the signs.
Not very well travelled for a wat i'm thinking.
Came inot his fantastic bamboo forest area, now single track.
Eventually, came to the bamboo gate, I figured it was closed for a reason and decided to head back to the trail, but a note to return in the dry season.
Sign saying this is the king's land apparentley.
We moved on and reached Tat Noi Waterfall, now this would be a great camping spot, clean fresh water and a small graded out camping spot.
N18.81459° E99.70284°
Small but flat camping area.
Rangers station a little up the road.
All the villages in the area are pretty poor, but all constructed using sizable lumps of timber.
More karst rock formations indicating lots of caves.
Reaching the village of Ban Piang Chai and time to pull over for a drink.
Kid's eager to pose for the camera.
All smiles despite just breaking her arm.
I asked her to smile this was the best she could manage.
As normal village section tended to have paved roads but short lived.
This chap was going nowhere, it was starting to rain now and we had just passed two trucks stuck in the mud making it impassible.
Another rangers station and welcoming sign.
Making the most of the rainfall.
A guy with a weed wacker to the left of the shot, he had his work cut out on that slope.
Never seen a structure like this before, the wife tells me its for growing beans but unsure.
Deralict child develpment cetre.
This is where the MT-07's started to struggle, the trail getting slick now from the rain and this was a long steep climb.
Picture doesn't do justice, Des hauling is bike up after losing traction on this steep section.
Turn to the viewpoint at
N18.81524° E99.80209°
From here was a long steep descent to our turn north.
As we approached the turn it was clear we would be heading into a huge storm cloud and decided to push on further east and try and stay ahead of it, the northbound trail would have to wait for another time.
N18.81459° E99.81975°
We finally made it to the pavement and the small village of Ban On, that was the end of a dry run from here it rained the whole way home a long but enjoyable day and lot's of reasons to return in the dry season with some camping gear.
gpxviewer_gpx_viewer
Last edited:
