Thailand Chiang Rai to Chiang Dao

24.9.16

Revisiting this trail from an earlier trip this time with some of the local senior riders. If you're looking for an alternative ride to Chiang Rai or ride back to Chiang Mai on a dual sports bike this easy scenic trail could help get some mud on your boot's. 

Here is the route total 215 km, taking in the beautiful 1150 if you care to head to Chiang Dao.

Reclining Buddha at Phan.

Pha Kong Caves, good place for camping too.

Some great views along the way.

Then onward to the semi paved section at Ban Ngui Thao where the dirt begins, although this is a poor village the teak in these houses must be worth a fortune.

Lovely Wat in the village.

This is where the trail used to cross but the river level is too high.

100 metres past the farmers have carved a new trail and small timber bridge, a little slick in places.

Fallen tree easily crossed on my XR let's see how the others fair.

First to go no problem.

Number two, well almost.

Number three bottomed out.

After this point you drop down to the Wang river, here you have options to ride the river or take the muddy route.

Perhaps we should have taken the river option a little more.

Back onto dry stuff.

Back in civilisation and a nice drink stop.

Some needed it more than others.

The trail on from here is a fast fire road in good nick.

Semi completed Wat tucked away behind the 118. Junction for the turn for the trail is at N19.30208° E99.51167°

Once onto the 118 it was time for some nice food at my favourite place just across from white cup coffee.

After gasing up it was on to the 1150 to complete a wonderful day's riding.

Thailand Loop Of Thoed Thai Region

Myself and a couple of the Chiang Rai seniors decided to make a paved ride between the rain storms over to Thoed Thai, our plan was to ride from Chiang Rai avoiding as much of highway 1 as possible.

We snaked our way north passing many small villages until we arrived at Wat Muen Buddha.

On top on the hill is a new brilliant white Chinese wat.

Riding back down you get a commanding view over the big buddha's shoulders.

Back down at ground level it's equally impressive.

The entrance to this huge development.

Moving on as we approached the crossing to hwy 1 in the Mountain View Resort, with its focal point the concrete boat. Sadly the place is closed up and for sale.

Hitting the hwy briefly heading south to Huai Khrai then heading up to Doi Thung viewpoint for some refreshment, and blessed with stunning views.

As you head up to Wat Doi Thung, you make a left onto the infamous 1334 and its super tight series of S bends that catches out many a rider with its super slick moss covered concrete in the wet season.

Many many different hill tribes in this region.

The road is generally in good condition but you still have to keep and eye open for stuff like this.

Nobody had legs enough to climb to check this out.

After a couple of hours glorious riding it was on to Thoed Thai and check into the Ratti Kanchana Resort, the still would not budge off 600 baht a night and i don't blame them, its new and great room's.

After a fun night in town it was a nice easy ride back, taking the rarely used 1130 cutting out part of the Doi Mae Salong road.

Approaching Mae Chan, an opportunity to take some pictures of the beautiful wat being built.

There you have it, 250 km of beautiful roads riding with good friends reminding us all how lucky we are to live in this most beautiful part of Thailand.