Monk's Trail (to Wat Pha Lat)
A shaded jungle footpath marked by orange monk's robes that climbs from the city edge up to Wat Pha Lat.
- Category
- Mountains & Hiking
- Entrance fee
- Free to hike; ~100 THB foreigner NP fee may apply at Pha Lat since Oct 2025; confirm locally
- Hours
- Daylight hours (start early, before ~10:00 for cooler temps)
- Best time
- Early morning, cool/dry season (Nov-Feb)
- Time needed
- 1.5-3 hours (to Pha Lat and optionally on to Doi Suthep)
- Difficulty
- moderate (forest climb, ~160 m ascent to Pha Lat; steeper if continuing to the temple)
About Monk's Trail (to Wat Pha Lat)
This is the best short hike close to the city, and it's genuinely worth doing. The trail is a shaded forest path marked with orange monk's robes tied to the trees, climbing from the city edge up to Wat Pha Lat, a quiet temple built into the hillside that feels a world away from the Old City despite being so close.
It's free to walk the trail itself, though a park fee may apply at Pha Lat since the late 2025 changes, so don't be surprised if there's a small charge once you arrive. Most people start early, both to beat the heat on the climb and because the forest feels best in the cool morning light.
You can stop at Pha Lat and head back down, or keep climbing to link up with Doi Suthep itself if you've got the legs and the time for it.
Highlights
- Forest path marked by orange monk's robes tied to the trees
- Wat Pha Lat, a quiet hillside temple partway up
- Option to continue on to Doi Suthep temple
- Real forest immersion just minutes from the Old City
Tips
- Start early morning to avoid the heat on the climb
- Cool, dry season (Nov-Feb) is the most comfortable time to hike it
- Wear proper shoes, it's a real forest climb, not a paved path
- A small fee may now apply at Pha Lat itself, confirm before you go
How to get there
Grab/songthaew to the trailhead behind the zoo, ~15 min from Old City, ~70-100 THB