Ramkhamhaeng National Park (Khao Luang)
A mountainous national park in the Khao Luang range south of the city, known for the demanding Khao Luang summit trek, waterfalls, cooler forest and viewpoints over the Sukhothai plain.
- Category
- National Parks
- Entrance fee
- National-park foreigner fee ~100 THB as of 2026 (plus a small vehicle charge; confirm locally).
- Hours
- Daily, roughly daylight hours ~08:00-16:30 for the summit trail; camping available at HQ. Confirm locally.
- Best time
- Nov-Feb cool, dry season for the climb; start early. Avoid the rainy season (steep, slippery trail).
- Time needed
- Full day; the Khao Luang summit hike is roughly 6-8 hours round trip, or an overnight camp.
- Difficulty
- Hard: a steep, strenuous full-day climb (~1,200 m peak) with a long ascent; basic fitness and early start required.
About Ramkhamhaeng National Park (Khao Luang)
This is the real outdoor draw near Sukhothai if you like to hike, and it is genuinely rewarding. The park sits in the Khao Luang range south of the city, with cooler forest, waterfalls and viewpoints out over the plain. Because it sees so few visitors, you can expect real solitude up here.
Be honest with yourself about the effort, though. The Khao Luang summit is a serious, steep, full-day climb, not a casual stroll. Basic fitness and an early start are non-negotiable, and it runs roughly six to eight hours round trip, or you camp overnight at HQ.
Go in the cool, dry season and skip it in the rains, when the trail turns steep and slippery. There is no reliable public transport, so you will need a car, taxi or motorbike to reach the trailhead. Bring plenty of water.
Highlights
- Demanding Khao Luang summit trek
- Cooler mountain forest and waterfalls
- Viewpoints over the Sukhothai plain
- Real solitude thanks to few visitors
- Camping available at park HQ
Tips
- Start early and only attempt the summit in the cool, dry season
- Skip it in the rainy season; the trail gets steep and slippery
- Bring plenty of water, this is a strenuous full-day climb
- Arrange your own transport; there is no reliable public option
How to get there
~25-30 km south/southwest of New Sukhothai near Khiri Mat; no reliable public transport, so hire a car/taxi (~30-45 min) or motorbike. Park HQ is at the trailhead.