Huai Nam Dang National Park ‘Sightseeing, going hiking, waterfall exploring, all in one place’

Metaphorically, a national park is a land of heaven. Even it doesn’t consist of angels playing harps, marble castles, or something like that, but it’s surrounded with natural beings, for instances, trees, water sources, animals etc. In fact, its a place where you can use as a sanctuary, a word which here means a safe place for you when you feel bad. If you feel anxious because of your life, your love, or your work, visiting a national park may heal your damaged heart. You may feel better. 

Therefore a nice and romantic national park is going to be introduced to you. Let’s see what it is.

Huai Nam Dang National Park is a national park located both within the borders of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. Its area is about 179.5 square kilometres. The landscape is mainly high valleys and mountains, with Doi Chang as the highest one. Moreover, Huai Nam Dang is the river source of many other streams and rivers. 

Now, you know that Huai Nam Dang is a mountain area. That means the climate around there is mostly cold. It will be extra cold in winter. And during May-October, it will rain heavily. In summer, it will go warmer. 

There are a bunch of activities and minor tourist attractions waiting for you at Huai Nam Dang National Park.

1. Doi Kew Lom : This is a beautiful and famous sightseeing spot. It’s quite popular among both Thai and foreign tourists. If you love to see the sunset and sunrise, don’t hesitate to go. Beside, you will be able to see all natural scenery around you.
2. Doi Chang : This is another sightseeing spot, which is located on the upper side of Huai Nam Dang and 20 kilometres away from the national park office. Its about 1,962 metres higher than the sea level. If you stand on its top, you will be able to see many other mountains.
3. Pong Duat hot spring : It a good a good place to come see the hot springs bubble up to the surface there are good facilities here to bathe in the hot spring water. There is a choice of either private cabins or separate male and female hot spring swimming pools or you can just dangle your feet in the natural hot spring stream. Consider the 800m nature walking trail on the way to the hot spring baths the route takes in the hot geysers which can reach 2 meters in height
4. Pong Ron : It’s located on the upper side of Mae Pai Conservative Forest, Mae Hong Son. Pong Ron consists of two hot springs, which are about 80 degree Celsius.
5. Mae Yen Waterfall : This waterfall is a branch of Mae Yen Luang Brook. It’s located in Muang Hang District of Chiang Mai.
6. Mae Lad Waterfall : Its height is about 40-50 metres. There are total 5 stories. It’s mainly surrounded with beautiful rocks and evergreen rain forests.
7. Mae Had Waterfall : Its height is about 40-50 metres, same as Mae Lad Waterfall. There are total 4 stories. It’s mainly surrounded with evergreen rain forests.
8. Auang Ngoen Palace : This palace was built to be bestowed upon Princess Galyani Vahana, King Bhumibol’s sister. The Princess named the palace ‘Auang Ngoen’ and lived there. The atmosphere of the palace is natural and beautiful. There are many plants around the area, including ‘Auang Ngoen Luang’, a kind of orchid.
9. Huai Nam Roo and Doi Sam Muen : Both of them are located about 10 kilometres away from Doi Chang. Huai Nam Roo is a small spring, which give moisture to the forest. Doi Sam Muen is the river source of Mae Tang Waterway, which flows into Pin River.
10. Mae Ping Waterfall : It’s located right in the middle of Mae Ping Noi Waterway. It’s a 4-storied waterfall, with about 50-metred height. It’s mainly surrounded with evergreen rain forests.

And, in case you want to go hiking, there are some natural-exploring paths for you. 

• Auang Ngoen Path : With about 1,470-metred length, it requires 1 hour for exploring.
• Huai Nam Dang Path : With about 1,470-metred length, it requires 1 hour for exploring.
• Pong Duad Path : With about 1,550-metred length, it requires 1 hour for exploring.
• Pong Nam Ron : This path is medium steep. It requires 1 hour for exploring.
  

Or, if you want to spend the nights, you can ask the rangers for more details. There are shelters, camping spots, and restaurants for tourists. 

You can contact the national park by calling 053-248491 or 053-263910.

How to get there 

By driving : Start your trip from Chiang Mai downtown. Just follow the Highway No.107 (Chiang Mai-Fang) for about 37 kilometres. Then, after you reach Mae Malai Market in Mae Tang, turn left and go along the Highway No.1095(Chiang Mai-Pai) for another 65 kilometres. Finally, you will reach the checkpoint of the national park.

By taking a public vehicle : You can also take a vehicle at Chiang Mai Transport Station. Choose a one that take you from Chiang Mai to Pai. The travel fee is about 40 Baht only. But you have to travel fro 3 hours. Be patient, however. Don’t fall asleep, because you need to get down in front of the entrance of Huai Nam Dang National Park. From that point, there will be no more public vehicles for service. But you can still hire a ranger to give you a ride.