Khao Yai Da Trail Route (Rayong)

Distance: 10 kilometers

Elevation: 500m

Difficulty: Difficult

What to expect on this trail?

This Khao Yai Da trail route is quite a challenging one. While it is only 10 kilometers, it is not easy at all due to the heat, the humidity and the difficulty of the trails. Nonetheless, it is a great place to immerse in nature very close to Ban Phe and Rayong city, and the viewpoint offers some nice vistas over the town and Koh Samet.

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Khao Yai Da Trail in detail

Khao Yai Da is a mountain located just off Sukumvith Road. While it is possible to drive up the mountain via a road, there are also plenty of trails all around the mountain. This 10 kilometer route starts at the Rayong Boy Scouts Camp, which is a collection of building scattered around some dirt roads and a pond. The route starts off immediately with some nice single tracks through the dense forest. As there are many trails, it is easy to lose direction or take a wrong turn, and the dense vegetation doesn’t help. So unless you are familiar with the area, you will need to keep a close eye on your GPS track to avoid getting lost.

Soon the single tracks will start to climb and you will find yourself making your way up the mountain. The track looks like it is (or was) also used as a downhill route for mountain biking, so keep your eyes and ears open! The track continues climbing until you reach the concrete road which you will then need to follow. This is the first point where you get a bit of relief from the climbing and the humidity. You will pass an antenna of Channel 5 and keep right onto the small trail.

Unfortunately this trail has a lot of overgrowth, and it doesn’t improve as you go along. The nature is very nice though, and you really feel like you are in the middle of the jungle. Follow the path, and consult your GPS track when you are uncertain. I had to do so quite often because sometimes the track completely disappeared under thick brushes that fell over. Luckily a big part of this section is flat, or even a bit downhill until it makes the final climb to the highest point of this route.

You will end up on the concrete road which you will need to climb to get to the viewpoint. The viewpoint is quite nice and it’s a nice place to catch a breather. Just past the viewpoint you will find the trailhead for the descent on the left side of the road. The descent of this Khao Yai Da route is quite steep for most of the time, and very technical. Don’t expect a relaxing downhill run! Like the previous trail section, this section also has a lot of overgrowth and I had some real difficulties following the trail. So do consult your GPS often to avoid getting stuck.

Important tip: Pay attention to a black plastic tube that runs along the trail. I believe it is a power line or water line, but I noticed it followed the trail almost entirely form the top to the bottom. See the picture below.

You will finally end up at a rubber plantation and from here on out the trail gets considerably easier. You will follow double track dirt roads that take you back to the Boy Scout Camp where you started.

Tips for this trail

Temperatures and humidity are high, even if you start early. Nonetheless, make sure you start as early as possible and take plenty of liquids.
The route is quite technical, and sturdy shoes with good grip will come in very handy. Especially on the downhill part.
Make sure to bring a good GPS device for navigation. Despite the area being close to the town, the jungle is dense and it is easy to lose track.
For a post-run coffee there is a small local shop across from the temple and school. They offer basic iced coffee and basic snacks. For anything more sophisticated, Ban Phe is the place to go.

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