Hiking and Thailand is not an ideal match for most foreigners. Most of them prefer to visit seaside resorts or experience cultural and historical highlights such as Northern Thailand or the ancient cities of Ayutthaya or Sukhothai. They have no idea what they eventually miss when they are into hiking. Read more about our adventure during the 3 day / 2 night adventure which took us to Phu Kradeung National Park in the northeastern province of Loei, Thailand.
About Phu Kradeung National Park
Phu Kradeung National Park is located in the Northeastern Thai province of Loei.
How to get to Phu Kradeung National Park?
There is an airport nearby which offers direct flights to Bangkok-Don Mueang. Other options are bus services to Loei town or directly to the National Park. Buses run from the Mochit Station in Bangkok. By private car it takes around 8 hours from Bangkok.
How was our trip and what did we do in Phu Kradeung National Park?
We drove up there with the car from Bangkok and arrived early morning. We booked two nights in the camping ground. That would allow us to spend one day hiking up. One full day on the top and one day down. More explained in the following pictures:
Restaurant near the stop where most buses from other provinces arrive. Nice noodle soups for breakfast before heading to the park entrance.
The park office at the official entrance to the National Park.
You won’t have to carry your stuff up your self. There is a service. However, once you up you might have to wait a bit until your bag arrives. There are locals who carry stuff up and make a living with it. So its actually totally fine to use their service. I carried my own bag up, just because I like it.
Entrance booth to the national park. Foreigner are charged way more than locals. I was lucky and my proof of residency in Thailand got accepted, I was able to pay the Thai price with my “Pink-ID”.
In the winter season things appear to be dry. It is however the best season to hike up here. It is less humid, the weather is dry and there are less insects. During the wet season there are way more mosquitos and leeches.
Several rest stops and restaurants on the way up. They offer simple dishes and drinks.
Pran Pran Prae is one rest stop and a marker with a sign. Still 2,950 m. to the top from here.
The view during the hike is getting better and better.
Arrived at the top.
The top of the plateu offers a unique flora.
Wild camping? Not here. The camping experience is certainly different to what Western people might be used to. Its one tent next to the other here. They can be rented.
One of the highlights is the Sunset in the eastern part of the National Park.
The sun setting down is spectacular. In the dry season there are also less chances of rain clouds and thus the sunsets and sunrises can be seen more likely.
Getting up early morning is another “recommended” activity in Phu Kradeung National Park. Its cold and chilly, don’t forget to bring hats and jackets.
Its crowded here in this season.
Sunset at Phu Kradeung National Park.
Sunset at Phu Kradeung National Park.
Sunset at Phu Kradeung National Park.
The nearby restaurants at the camping ground offer good quality foods at quite decent prices (considering that someone has to carry all the stuff up). Here our breakfast.
Signs are plenty and make navigation quite easy up here. You can either walk or rent bikes.
Autumn leaves in Thailand, in December. Beautiful!
The hiking path around the National Park area on the top. Eventhough temperates in December are mild it is recommended to bring a hat and sun protection during the day.
Anodara Pond at Phu Kradeung National Park. No swimming unfortunately.
Anodara Pond at Phu Kradeung National Park.
The sceneries from up here are simply stunning.
Biking looks fun, but not all areas are accessible.
Cold mornings during sunset.
The cost to rent materials for your tent. Nights are freezing up here, better spend extra for that blanket.
The locals who carry hikers stuff up and down.
The elavation of Phu Kradeung National Park explained.
Once down there are free shower facilities to refresh before heading back home or to the next destination.
Your packing list for a trip Phu Kradeung National Park?
Enough cloths for your trip. Day time in winter can be warm to hot and night time cold to freezing. So pack wisely. A simple rain coat for the unlikely case of rain might also be a good idea. Sun protection, mosquito repellent and toileteries . Drinks and food is available to buy near the camping ground. There is a service to charge your phone and power banks (for a fee).