Doi Khun Tan National Park

Doi Khun Tan National Park is a protected mountainous area in Lamphun province of northern Thailand that conserves forested slopes of the Khun Tan range. The park is valued for hiking, wildlife viewing and cooler highland forests relative to surrounding lowlands.

Hiking trails lead through evergreen and mixed deciduous forest to ridge viewpoints and campsites, and the area around the Khun Tan range is a draw for day hikers and nature groups. The park includes trail infrastructure and basic ranger-managed camping areas for overnight treks.

The Khun Tan railway tunnel and the railway station at the higher section of the line are transport and historical features associated with the range; rail services that cross the mountains remain an important regional link. Park management focuses on forest conservation and visitor trail maintenance.

The park sits in Lamphun province in northern Thailand amid the Khun Tan mountain range, inland from the city of Lampang and within accessible distance of provincial towns by road and rail.

• Climate note: Cooler temperatures and forest cover make the park a seasonal escape from lowland heat; trail conditions can be muddy in the rainy season.
• Practical advice: Bring insect repellent and hiking footwear; some trails include steep sections and unpaved tracks with limited services on-site.

What to See#

• Doi Khun Tan ridge: A mountain ridge and hiking area within the park featuring forested trails and viewpoints popular with day hikers and nature groups.
• Khun Tan railway tunnel and station: A railway tunnel and adjacent high-altitude railway station on the line between Lampang and Lamphun that passes through the Khun Tan range and is a local transport landmark.
• Campsites and ranger stations: Basic park campsites and ranger stations used by visitors making overnight treks into the park’s forested slopes.

Set on a mountain range straddling Lamphun and Lampang provinces, Doi Khun Tan National Park receives around 50,000 visitors a year, mostly Thai groups who walk to the summit and back on a day trip. Few foreigners visit, though it is easily reached from Chiang Mai and offers comfortable lodgings in park bungalows at a cool elevation.

The 255 sq km park rises to 1,373 m at the summit of Doi Khun Tan. Beneath the mountain runs Thailand’s longest railway tunnel, at 1,352 m, on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai line built in the early 20th century. The main trail, well worth walking, climbs from Khun Tan railway station to the peak, passing the park headquarters, where maps of further well-marked routes are available; these range from short walks to trails linking the four peaks of Doi Khun Tan, along with a 7 km loop to Nam Tok Tat Moei.

The park’s topography shifts with altitude, from mixed deciduous forest and bamboo at the lowest levels, through moist evergreen and pine in the middle, to hardwood trees higher up. Wildflowers include plentiful orchids, lilies and ginger, though mammals and birds are rare. It is a pleasant spot for a day’s ramble, needing only moderate fitness.

Doi Khun Tan National Park is in Lamphun Province near Khun Tan Tunnel/Khun Tan National Park Station. From Chiang Mai or Lamphun city, take local transport toward Khun Tan; trains on the Chiang Mai line stop at Khun Tan station (check schedules) and local taxis can cover the final kilometres to park entrances.

• Take the rail option: Khun Tan National Park's tunnel and the old station are accessible by the Bangkok-Chiang Mai train with a stop at Lamphun or nearby; local transport from Lamphun is needed.
• Hike to the summit early in the day to avoid heat and for better visibility.
• Check with the park headquarters about campsite availability if planning an overnight; permits may be required.