Doi Inthanon

Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s highest mountain, rising to 2,565 metres and protected within a national park noted for cloud forest, waterfalls and montane biodiversity. The summit area hosts memorial royal chedis and offers cooler temperatures and clear mountain views.

Visitors use a network of roads and short trails to reach the summit plateau, the twin royal pagodas, boardwalks through mossy forest and several scenic waterfalls along the park’s lower slopes. The area is important for birdwatching and for plant communities uncommon at lower elevations in Thailand.

Doi Inthanon was declared a national park in the early 1970s to protect its unique highland habitats and watersheds; facilities include ranger stations, marked trails and viewpoints. The site is an established destination for nature tourism and pilgrimage to the chedis.

The mountain sits in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand within a mountainous section of the Shan Hills, reachable by road from Chiang Mai city and neighbouring highland towns.

• Highest mountain: Highest point in Thailand at 2,565 metres above sea level, which creates cooler temperatures and distinct montane ecosystems compared with surrounding lowlands.
• Access and monuments: Contains commemorative royal pagodas built in the late 20th century and a paved road to the summit area that makes the peak accessible by vehicle in most weather conditions.

What to See#

• Summit and royal chedis: Summit plateau and twin royal chedis - the peak area contains two memorial stupas built to honour the Thai King and Queen and a paved viewpoint area.
• Trails and waterfalls: Trail network and waterfalls such as Mae Ya and Wachirathan that provide short hikes through montane forest and mossy cloud-forest habitats.

Doi Inthanon is about 1.5-2 hours by car from Chiang Mai (roughly 60-80 km). Drive south-west from Chiang Mai on Highway 108 via Chom Thong toward Doi Inthanon National Park; the park has signposted entrances and parking. Many visitors also join organized day tours from Chiang Mai; short walks from car parks lead to the summit pagodas and viewpoints.

• If you want the famous Kew Mae Pan viewpoint, register for the guided trail at the park office and aim for the first morning slot-guides limit numbers and early slots give the clearest views before cloud builds.
• Visit the twin royal pagodas on the summit around mid‑morning for clearer vistas once early fog lifts; many visitors do the pagodas as a quick stop, but the surrounding nature trails offer birding opportunities most people miss.
• Plan your route to include the agricultural villages and waterfalls lower down rather than just the summit-those lower altitudes can be warmer and drier when the summit is fogged-in, and offer distinct scenery.