Doi Suthep Southern Side Loop

Distance: 17.1 kilometers

Elevation: 600m

Difficulty: Easy/Medium

What to expect on this trail?

This trail on the southern side of Doi Suthep offers a lot of variation with amazing views along the way. Unlike other sides of Doi Suthep mountain, the elevation profile doesn’t have extremely steep sections making it quite runnable. Double tracks through farmlands, fast single tracks and small settlements, this trail has it all.

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Doi Suthep Southern Side Loop in detail

The route starts conveniently at the parking of Flora Creek Hotel, located on the Samoeng Loop. From there you will have to run along the main road for a bit until you reach the trailhead. The first part of the route takes you along double-track roads that connect the villages and orchards that are scattered on this side of the mountain. While they have deep ruts and are difficult to navigate with a car, they make for great running.

Along the way, you will pass agricultural fields, orchards and flower plantations, and a small, scenic reservoir. The fact that there are multiple places where the views really open up make it very enjoyable to run. You almost forget that you are covering quite a bit of elevation going up the mountain.

Towards the highest point of the trails, you will turn onto a flowing single track through the easy to run forest and a lot of fun. Right as you near the highest point, there is an open space that offers breathtaking views over the valley below all the way towards Doi Inthanon in the distance.

Then you will arrive at more orchards, again with amazing views, where you will find different options. Make sure to check your GPS to avoid getting lost. You will soon start making your way down along a double-track dirt road. The scenery remains interesting though, as you cross streams, pass big rocky boulders and have the chance to take in more views. You will even pass a tomb of a Hmong inhabitant on at some point. Finally, you will end up at the main road again where you will need to turn right to make the loop complete.

Double track on Doi Suthep Southern Side

Small Reservoir near the start of the trail

Tips for this trail

Even though the road is quite curvy, traffic tends to be very fast. Make sure to be careful on the sections where you run along the main road.
There is supposed to be a waterfall somewhere along this route. Unfortunately, we didn’t find it. If you would, please let us know where it is 😉
There is plenty of parking space at Flora Creek, but if you start early do note that nothing will be open yet. The food and drinks are very nice if you fancy something after your run, but it is a rather high-end establishment, so prices are not cheap.
You will run through parts of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, make sure to check about the latest regulations as it may be closed to visitors during some times of the year.
Make sure to prepare everything you need, you won’t find any shops or places to refill along the way. If you are not sure what to take, have a look at our “Start here” page.

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