Hiking trail up to Wat Phalat (Doi Suthep)
Wat Phalat Nature Trail (Channel 7 – Wat Phalat (Sakithakami))
Distance: 4 km round trip
Accumulated slope: 165 meters
Trail characteristics: One of the closest hiking trails to Chiang Mai. Easy to go and not too long. It takes less than 1 hour to walk up. The way up starts in front of the old Channel 7 TV station (now an abandoned building). There is a sign at the entrance to the trail, clearly visible. Most of the trail is rocky and dirt. Hiking shoes are recommended, especially in the rainy season, as there are slippery dirt sections.
The trail passes through dry dipterocarp and bamboo forests. There are beautiful tree tunnels, vines, and streams. The closer you get to the temple, the clearer sound of flowing water can be heard.
During the rainy season, there are many types of mushrooms along the way, such as white wild ginger flowers, yellow swan flowers, and during August-September, the blue Plong flowers, which are not found on other trails on Doi Suthep, are in bloom.
Along the way, you will also pass an ancient site called “Wat Sam Yop”. The way up will be on the left. A notable landmark is the blue plastic bucket. You can stop by to take a look. Read the information before going to make your visit more enjoyable.
The destination is “Wat Phalat”, an old, peaceful, shady temple that blends in with nature. At one point, Wat Phalat was a semi-abandoned temple, meaning there was only a temple and no monks staying there. Until 1991, the Ministry of Education came to take care of it and allowed monks to reside there during the Buddhist Lent.
When you arrive at Wat Phalat, I would like you to try walking around the temple, including the temple, pagodas, Buddha images in the temple and on the cliff, as well as the waterfall inside the temple. Sometimes, I have seen people meditating by the waterfall.
In the area of Wat Phalat, there are clean bathrooms and 2 shops selling drinks and 1 old-fashioned ice cream shop. For those who will continue walking up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, you can stop by to refuel. We usually stop on the way down from Wat Phra That because we are hungry. 😊
Things to bring: Hiking shoes, 1 liter of water (but if you are going to walk up to Wat Phra That, you should have 2 liters of water), and some snacks or chocolates in your bag.
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