These are the nicest falls to visit on the mountain and can be reached by a dirt road (steep and slightly rutted in one part). From the car park at Monthatharn Waterfall, a path follows the Huay Kaew torrent up.... continued from Click here!
The national park was established in 1981 and is home to a wealth of biodiversity. The seasonal tropical forest contains 90 different species per hectare. In addition to more than 2100 species of vascular plants so far identified (by the Herbarium at the Department of Biology at Chiang Mai University), birds (326 species), mammals (61 species including bats), reptiles (50 species), amphibians (28 species) and numerous types of butterflies make their home here.
(Srivichai Road km. 4)
Many people in Chiang Mai pay respect with incense, candles and gold leaf to the monument dedicated to Khru Ba Srivichai, who built the road up the mountain.
The Huay Kaew - crystal stream - cascades off the mountain in a series of waterfalls.
(KM.5 west turn - 2 km. 4WD)
These are the nicest falls to visit on the mountain and can be reached by a dirt road (steep and slightly rutted in one part). From the car park at Monthatharn Waterfall, a path follows the Huay Kaew torrent up.
Beginning on the south side, it crosses over to the north side at the upper falls. Climbing very steeply the path passes more cascades and pools that become less visited the higher it goes. The steep track is part of a walking route to the National Park HQ. When further walking up the right (north) side of the stream seems impractical, the path crosses over to the south side at a fallen tree.
(KM. 14)
The car park at the base of the promontory contains restaurants and souvenir shops. These sell such things as baseball caps made from old whiskey cartons. A path from the base of the naga steps leading to the temple goes up to the National Park HQ.
(KM.15 Tel: 248405)
The National Park Headquarters provides accommodation, maps and information.
Work at the small research station (FORRU) below the main office concerns natural forest regeneration.
A trail to Monthatharn Falls begins downwards from the bungalows about 150 meters past the park office and then follows the contour north for about 700 meters. The path passes a good example of a fully developed "strangling" fig (Ficus altissima Bl. Moraceae) before joining a dirt road from the park HQ. After a further 500 meters a sign indicates where the path begins the descent to Monthatharn.
From the sign downwards the track at times becomes steep and slippery, and may be obstructed by fallen vegetation. The path is only occasionally maintained, so it is not for those who object to a bit of scrambling (and sweating!) at times.
The entire walk to Srivichai Road may be covered in less than two hours.
Tham Ruesi(KM. 16)
Good trails for walking and bird-watching lead off from the road. From the small parking area, a steep, slippery path leads down to the "hermits cave" (tham ruesi), an overhang of rocks over a wide ledge.
The path continues down through evergreen forest to the road near the park HQ.
See also: [Hiring a Vehicle] [Staying in National Parks] [Forest Types on Doi Suthep]