Chiang Mai’s stunning waterfalls

Posted by Arda on May 20th, 2009 filed in Activities, Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, Thailand travel

by Andrew Bond

Nothing beats mother nature for design and waterfalls are some of the loveliest examples of how mountains, water and gravity can combine to produce some breathtaking sights. Northern Thailand certainly has the mountains, and plenty of water, which together produce some of the country’s loveliest waterfalls. In fact there are so many to get to that you’re spoilt for choice.

Within an hour’s drive of Chiang Mai are more than a dozen large falls and countless smaller waterfalls that provide fantastic photo opportunities, and great picnic spots which attracts crowd of locals who love to frolic in the waters and enjoy an impromptu meal againsts a gorgeous backdrop. Chiang Mai top attractions

We’ve picked out 10 of the best, some easy to find, others a well kept secret.

Waterfalls of Chiang Mai

Huay Kaew falls
Perhaps the easiest to get to from Chiang Mai city, conveniently located at the foot of Doi Suithep, just above the zoo. This waterfall not only has a sizeable plunge but then cascades over a 50m rock slope which is good for cooling off or picnicking. It’s free and popular with locals on weekends. There are also several restaurants overlooking the rock cascade.

Monthathal falls
Slightly further up the hill, this falls is on the same river and has several much higher tiers but visitors will have to pay the 200 baht national park entrance. It’s a shame for this discourages many from visiting the lovely camp grounds and picnic spot at its base. A short climb takes you to the second level, but if you’re fit you can climb up to the third and higher drop or press on up the trail a further 40 minutes to a second, pretty little falls hidden in the forest and seldom visited.

Mae Sa waterfalls
The largest and most spectacular series of waterfalls in the Chiang Mai area, This multi-tier complex tumbles over no less than 10 levels, some of them small and private near the top while others are large chutes of water that look great from the lookout point near the car park. The locals love this one and parts get crowded on weekends, but it’s reasonably safe and ideal for playful kids, certainly worth visiting on a trip to the popular Ma Sae valley area. The 200 baht entrance ticket is good for other national parks waterfalls in the area on the same day.

Tad Mork falls
A right side turn off on the way to Mae Sa follows a pretty valley for 10kms and is worth the drive before arriving at this low-key falls that has an impressive 15m curtain of water. Further up is a smaller, more private falls that is free. There is a nice picnic spot along the way and a puvlic lunch menu is offered at the stunning Sukantara resort which has its own private cascade.

Mok Fa falls
On the road to Pai it’s worth stopping off at this lofty falls, it’s about 40 minutes from Chiang Mai and although the national parks charge a 200 baht entrance fee, the main falls is quite impressive in the rainy season. If you don’t already have a ticket from the others then it might seem a bit disappointing to pay for this one.

Sri Sang Wang falls
There are several in Northern Thailand by this name but we’ve singled out this well kept secret for its fun 8m water slide which has a plunge pool jut deep enough to make this safe and fun. There’s only one problem, it’s tucked away on the south side of Doi Pui mountain and only accessible by mountain biking down the trail that starts in the Baan Doi Pui tourist hilltribe village, or by hiking up from the park entrance found on the Samoeng road (south). It does have a second very high tier below the slide which can be dangerous as there are no safe view points to stand at.

Bua Thong falls
This is one of the lesser visited falls in the area but included on tours for its unusual limestone face which is arranged in convenient steps and safe to climb with it’s firm gripping rock. The water comes directly from a spring above the falls and cascades over the brown sandstone bolders to produce an unusual appearance. These falls are located on the road North to Phrae about 40kms from Chiang Mai.

Doi Inthanon waterfalls – Chiang Mai
Doi Inthanon National Park is one of the country’s best and apart from boasting the highest point in Thailand and a couple of regal chedis near the summit, it has lush vegetation and multiple eco-systems, a camp ground with chalets to rent and several fantastic waterfalls. The park is an hour’s drive south of Chiang Mai.

Mae Klang falls
Of the four magnificent waterfalls easily accessible in Doi Inthanon National Park, this is the first and easiest to get to. Located at the bottom of the hill, it has a massive cascade and the lower sections are usually jam packed with Thai families on weekends frolicking in the water pools. A 200 baht entrance applies which gets you into the others. There are usually as many food vendors as there are visitors here.

Mae Ya falls
Also at the bottom of the mountain but remotely located (by following a 10km road turning left almost immediately after turning off the main highway) this is by far the most spectacular of all the waterfalls near Chiang Mai. The main falls is about 40 meters high and 10 meters wide with a viewpoint right beneath it, but thereafter the abundant water continues down a gentle slope that adds to its dramatic appearance. Plenty of food and drink is available on site.

Vachiritan falls
Located halfway up Doi Inthanon, this falls has a lofty curtain of water as a backdrop for some nice picnic spots and swimming pools. You can park at the top or bottom, the latter having the best picnic spots and the food vendors. It also gets rather busy on a hot summer’s day.