GUNUNG · Thailand

Doi Inthanon

ดอยอินทนนท์

Information

Elevation: 2.565 m
Country: Thailand (TH)
Location / Range: Thanon Thong Chai Mountains (Shan Hills), Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand — located within Doi Inthanon National Park
Mountain type: Granite massif — the highest non-volcanic peak in Thailand, part of an Oligocene–Miocene igneous rock complex
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: 18.5883, 98.4865
Difficulty: Easy — the summit can be reached by vehicle via a paved road; the trails within the area (Kew Mae Pan, Ang Ka) vary from easy to moderate and are suitable for all levels
Best Season: November–February (cool/dry season, cool clear weather, summit can drop near 0°C at night); March–April is drier but hotter; avoid May–October (rainy season)
Permits & Rules: Doi Inthanon National Park entry: about 300 Baht adults, 150 Baht children aged 3–14 (Thai nationals pay less); separate parking fee per vehicle
Hazards: The road to the summit can be thickly fogged and slippery, especially in the rainy season; very low temperatures on winter nights; the Kew Mae Pan trail may close during the rainy season

Description

Doi Inthanon (2,565 m) is Thailand's highest peak and the crown of Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The mountain is named after King Inthawichayanon, the last ruler of the Chiang Mai Kingdom, who requested to be buried here in 1897 — his ashes rest in a small chedi (stupa) at the summit as a symbol of unity between the king and the land he cherished. Geologically, Doi Inthanon is composed of granite and metamorphic rocks forming an older core uplifted by tectonics and eroded over millions of years. Unlike technical Himalayan peaks, the summit of Doi Inthanon is accessible by paved road through dense montane rain forest and flower farms. The national park features several well-known trails: the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail (3.2 km, closed during the rainy season) offers sweeping views of ericaceous shrubland and cloud sea, while the Ang Ka Nature Trail (360 m) winds through a peat-swamp moss forest that shelters rare montane birds. Near the summit stand two royal pagodas — Naphamethanidon and Naphaphonphumisiri — built to honour the King and Queen of Thailand in 1987 and 1992, surrounded by year-round flower gardens. The national park is also one of Southeast Asia's premier birdwatching sites with more than 360 species recorded.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Jalur Alam Ang Ka (Ang Ka Nature Trail)

Mudah (jalur pendek, beraspal sebagian; ramah untuk semua usia)

30–45 menit melingkar

A very short loop trail (about 360 m) at the Doi Inthanon summit area (around 2,550 m), passing through a unique peat-swamp moss forest ecosystem — one of the few of its kind on Thai highland slopes. The dense moss forest and ethereal atmosphere are the main draw, along with endemic montane birds such as the Collared Owlet and various montane songbirds. No guide is required; can be visited year-round, though the trail becomes slippery on rainy days. Located on the right side of the main Doi Inthanon road, close to the summit.

Source

Jalur Alam Kew Mae Pan (Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail)

Mudah–Sedang (jalur beraspal sebagian, berundak, tangga kayu; perlu kebugaran dasar)

1,5–2,5 jam melingkar

A 3.2 km loop nature trail at around 2,500 m elevation, located about 2 km before Doi Inthanon's summit. It is the most celebrated trekking trail in the national park, passing through montane ericaceous heathland with rhododendron and azalea blooms in winter, with sweeping views of cloud sea and the Shan Hills on clear days. The trail is strictly managed by the national park — a local ranger guide is mandatory (separate fee), daily visitors are capped at 100, and the trail is CLOSED during the rainy season (typically May–October). Best time: December–February, early morning before clouds rise.

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Jalur Puncak via Jalan Raya (drive-to-summit)

Sangat mudah (tidak ada trekking; hanya jalan ke tanda puncak dan stupa Raja Inthawichayanon)

~2,5 jam berkendara dari Chiang Mai; puncak dapat dicapai langsung

The summit of Doi Inthanon (2,565 m) is fully accessible by vehicle via a paved road that runs from the national park entrance gate (km 31 from Chiang Mai via Rte 1009 and 1192) to the parking area near the top. From the car park, a short walk (about 200 m) leads to the official summit marker and the small chedi housing the ashes of King Inthawichayanon. Nearby are the royal pagodas Naphamethanidon and Naphaphonphumisiri, reachable on foot. This drive-to-summit road is how most visitors 'hike' Doi Inthanon and serves as the practical starting point for the nature trails.

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Climbing Experiences

Doi Inthanon (2,565 m) offers a different experience from technical peaks: its summit is reachable by vehicle, yet the national park holds beautiful trekking trails including the Kew Mae Pan and Ang Ka nature trails, as well as the iconic royal pagodas. Most visitors combine the summit, pagodas, and at least one nature trail into a full-day trip from Chiang Mai. The sources below document real experiences at Doi Inthanon National Park.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.