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May 23, 2016
Trekking the Ridges of Pai Canyon
GPS waypoint: 19°18'16.7"N 98°27'10.6"E 
Location: Thung Yao, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130 Thailand
Ridge System
Pai Canyon is an interesting geological formation - narrow rock ridges with a deep vertical drop forming an intricate web system which you can trek and explore. It's only 8 kms away from Pai town center and very accessible as it lies along the main highway - no need to go deep into the interior (unlike Pembok Waterfall).
 walking along a intricate web of narrow ridges on Pai Canyon
Ending Thoughts
If it was just me, I would call it the Pai Ridge since you're trekking on the ridge, and not on the canyon below. I would recommend this as a must-experience when visiting Pai. It's stunning, unique, not too far from town, free, and accessible by motorbike. I went there on a bicycle! Best to wear hiking boots as the trail is loose is some areas.
--- TheLoneRider
- follow Highway 1095 going south towards Chiang Mai. After about 7 kms, keep on a lookout for a road sign. Pai Canyon is on the right side of the road (7.9 kms, 13 mins by motorcycle).
Pai Blogs
- Overnight in Pai with Mike Jan 1, 2019
- Exploring Pai, Thailand May 19-24, 2016
- Visiting the Land Split in Pai, Thailand May 23, 2016
- Trekking the Ridges of Pai Canyon May 23, 2016
- Climbing up the White Buddha (Wat Phra That Mae Yen) May 21, 2016
- the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is clustered near the bus station. You're not too far away from anywhere in Pai
- November through March is high season
- Pai is one of the most common destination from Chiang Mai and they have developed a system around it. At the Arcade Bus station in Chiang Mai, there are vans leaving for Pai through these transport companies - Prempracha and Aviabooking (3 hours of winding road, B150). You will be dropped-off at the Pai bus station. It's walking distance to the hotels from there.
- Pai Canyon (Kong Lan) - 8 km from Pai with nature walk and open lookout with panoramic view
 White Buddha on the Hill (Wat Phra That Mae Yen) - 353 step leading up to the White Buddha on the hill, overlooking the valley below The Land Split - in 2008, the land cracked and opened 2 meters wide and 11 meter deep...the widening continues through the years. Donation-based to the farmer who makes hibiscus drinks. Along the way to Pembok Waterfall- Pembok Waterfall - drive out to kilometer marker 93, you will find a sign that points you to Ban Pam Klang on your right. If you take that road & drive for 8 kilometers you’ll find Pam Bok Waterfall on you right hand side just before reaching Pam Bok village
- Tha Pai Hot Spring - 8 km from Pai in the Huai Nam Dang National Park, just 2 kilometers off Route 1095. Water temperature at 80° Celsius. B200 for foreigners. Best to use the private spas for B100
- Charn Chai Muay Thai Gym - located within the city, the place to learn Muay Thai, Thailand's national sport. 174 m.1 Chaisongkharm Road, Pai, Thailand 58130
- Mor Paeng Waterfall - 3-tier waterfall with chance to slide off rocks into the pool...but be very cautious as the 2 tiers are not doable
- Nam Yang Kung Fu - study Kung Fu and practise meditation in a retreat format
(US$1 = Thai Baht 35.691 = Php 46.791 as of May 22, 2016)
- small bottle of Leo beer
- standard price for a soup noodle or rice topping dish
- hot coffee in a decent cafe
- one hour massage
- bicycle rental, 24 hours
- coin operated laundry
- van to Chiang Mai, 3 hours
- dorm room, shared toilet during low season
- one hour, internet cafe
- haircut
- 1.5 liter drinking water
General Travel Tips
- arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
- put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
- avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
- power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
May 23, 2016
»» next story: Visiting the Land Split in Pai, Thailand
»» next Mountaineering story: Hiking Campuhan Ridge
»» back to Mountaineering
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Pai, Thailand
tourist attractions
