Chiang Mai mountain motorcycle circuit

Posted by admin on February 22nd, 2010 filed in Adventure, Attractions, Day trips, Living here, Locals

As the temperature in Chiang Mai begins to reach the dizzy heights and everything becomes a little more sticky and oppressive, a good option is to hire a motorbike and spend an afternoon cruising the cool mountain roads near the city.

There’s a simple and picturesque circuit beginning on the Mai Rim road from the city (directly north from Chang Phuak gate) and snaking around to bring you back out at Hang Dong. After a grueling twenty minutes bombing down the dual carriageway you swing a left from the highway following the signs for Tiger Kingdom.

After a optional stop to cuddle an oversized kitty, you continue on this road as it winds all the way around the back of Doi Suthep and through all manner of twisting lanes and gorgeous vistas. There’s no chance of getting lost and plenty of great photo opportunities along the way.

And remember to stop off for some refreshment at a wonderful little beer garden two or three hours in. Just follow the multiple signs for ‘beer’ at the side of the road and you can’t go wrong. Eventually the route feeds back around to Hang Dong and you are a short hop from there back to the city. And don’t worry, all the smoke and heat will still be waiting for you.