San Pa Kia Trail Running Loop

Distance: 16.1 kilometers

Elevation: 690m

Difficulty: Easy / Medium

What to expect on this trail?

This trail running route starts from the San Pa Kia Research station. Along the way you will have some amazing views of Doi Luang Chiang Dao and pass through some local villages. The route is mostly on double track roads, but there are some fun single track sections included as well.

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San Pa Kia trail running route in detail

The route starts at the San Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Research Station, which is one of the two places where you can stay in the area. (The other one is the San Pa Kia Campground). You can reach the area from the Mae Tang Valley, or otherwise from Chiang Dao side. Whichever way you choose, the road is very rough and a 4×4 vehicle is recommended. However, during the cool season and dry season you can make your way up to San Pa Kia by regular vehicle if you really want.

The trail starts right from the Research station, following the double track lined by pine forest. It climbs gently with some steeper sections from time to time. The first part is quite runnable though. You will continue following this road until the intersection next to Doi Mae Taman. Keep left and start a nice and fast downhill section on a double track. You can continue on the double track, but I like some single track for variation. There will be a single track descent over a ridge that forks off on your right.

You will encounter another intersections of trails where you need to keep left and head to Baan Pa Lo. You will have some amazing views on Doi Luang Chiang Dao in the distance before entering the village. Passing local villages like Baan Pa Lo is great, it really feels like a place where time stood still. Continue descending along the road until you cross the small stream. From there the route starts climbing and it is time to gain back all the elevation you just descended.

On the way up you will pass by another local village, Baan Pang Mai, before ending up at the main road that connects San Pa Kia with Chiang Dao. You will continue along this road to complete the loop back to where you came from. If the timing is right (during December or January) you may get to see some Japanese cherry blossoms which are quite an attraction for locals.

The route includes one nice downhill single track section.

Tips for this trail

As always, the best time to leave is very early because of the heat. But by leaving before sunset you will get to have some amazing views along the way.
The route route is not difficult, but the climb during the 2nd half of the route is long and sometimes quite steep. So some basic fitness is definitely a requirement.
Make sure you take enough fuel for the road. Even though you pass some villages, there are no real options to buy supplies.
Note that San Pa Kia is located in the Chiang Dao Protected Natural Area, and you need to pay an entrance fee to get in. You will have to pay this as you arrive by car, it’s nothing to worry about during your trail run.

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