Thailand forum

It depends on what your main interests are. Here are three suggestions for a one-day drive:

1. Go south on highway 108 to Chom Thong then turn into Doi Inthanon National Park (200b plus car fee) visit waterfalls, botanical gardens and King & Queen pagodas on the way to the summit (highest point in Thailand). Google map here

2. Drive the 100km Samoeng loop road by going north on highway 107 to Mae Rim and turn left on route 1096 then hilly/twisty road to Samoeng and continue back to the highway south of Chiang Mai. It's a bit lonely sometimes but a great scenic escape from the city. Google map here

3. Or as you mentioned drive up to Doi Suthep temple and keep going up to the Phuphing Royal palace then to Ban Doi Pui Hmong hilltribe village (signs point the way or just ask) or past the summit to the Doi Pui campground and nearby coffee plantation with nice walking trails and wildflowers this time of year. The road is sealed until the coffee place. Google map here

Check out local shops for GT-Rider maps. The Mae Sa / Samoeng Loop map is particularly useful and goes for 99 baht.

Thanks Bob and exacto!

The first thing you mentioned (waterfalls and pagodas) sounds right up our alley! Any good food recs along that route? We're foodies and have packed sufficient pepto and cipro...