Northern Thailand favorite roads?

Apr 27, 2010
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Hello again people,

Still discovering these amazing parts myself (on a Er6), the most outstanding road i've come across so far has to be the 1148 from Nan this last November.
If it wasn't for the late start i got that day, i would of gone back and fourth a couple of times before heading on, what a ride!! :D

So just a quick question to you all... Which are you're favourite Northern Thailand Roads?
 
Sep 1, 2011
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If you like the twisty bits, Chiang mai to Mae hong son is hard to beat...The road is reasonably well maintained, the scenery is magnificent and it's a fun ride whether you go fast or slowly. Pai is half way and is a good fun tourist town; Mae hong son is the provincial capital and while it is quiet and non touristy, it remains a very pretty town in a wonderful location. The distance (about 240klms) is well punctuated with good tucker and coffee stops and petrol stations; and although it is not difficult to ride it in one day, there are many good guesthouses in Pai, Soppong (Pang Mapha...where the caves are) and Mae hong son.
 

Dougal

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Dec 18, 2007
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The 1148 is hard to beat. Dave Unk calls it the "King of the North". Its got a bit of everything and is awesome.

The 1095 to/from Mae Hong Son/Chiang Mai is THE mountain road; the only drawback is the traffic and tour buses at certain times.

A couple of roads that can compete with those two are the 1256 (Doi Pukha) and the 1081 from Bo Kluea to Santisuk & Nan. Basically the Doi Pukha loop.
Awesome roads and views and almost zero traffic.
 
Sep 1, 2011
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The traffic is not so bad on the MHS road even in the high season and, the tour buses make for good fun in the mountains..especially if you encounter a convoy.
I often wonder if there is such a thing as a bad motorcycling road in the north.
 

Rolf

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Jan 28, 2009
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My favorit for an afternoon ride its the 109 Mae Suai-Fang: Udon E-San Bike Week 20-21 January 2012
 
Nov 2, 2008
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The new 4018, which connects the 1155 and 1020, is a short blast north of the fantastic 1148. Nothing beats the fun of full throttle powering (on a 250) through those nicely surfaced switch backs. Only have had the chance twice last year to run this road, from the 1155 to the 1020 and back, and it's well worth the detour.

That pictures is soo green Ron it's hypnotic!
 

blackb15

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Oct 11, 2009
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1148 I thought was the best, I did it twice but so many good roads very hard to choose and they go on for so long
Safe riding

paul
 

rosmoe

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Nov 2, 2004
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Mae Sai to Mae Salong to 1089, via 1149/1234. Also around the Fang area, 1249/1340/1178
 

Gary D

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Apr 17, 2010
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I did the 1148 yesterday power on heading towards Nan. Was a blast but if i were to choose then heading away from Nan using the engine power and braking might get the nod as it is sensational.
 
Apr 27, 2010
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Many thanks for the input all,

I just got back to C-M after a great ride looping Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Toeng - Chiang Rai. The 1155 is truly amazing, even with the haze being what it is at time, (one can only imagine what it would be like in good visibility...:shock:)
 
Apr 27, 2010
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Davidfl;276746 wrote: Perhaps we should start a poll for the TOP TEN roads in North Thailand.
Let me see what I can come up with & then we'll run a poll for a top ten.
Great idea :!:
 

DavidFL

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"TOP TEN" FAVOURITE ROADS IN NORTH THAILAND
1. R1148 Chiang Kham - Tha Wang Pha
2. R1091 Chiang Muan - Nan
3. R1256 Doi Phukha Pua - Bo Klua.
4. R1081 Bo Klua - R1169
5. R1080 Nan - Pua - Huay Kon
6. R1155 "Chiang Khong" - Thoeng/ Chiang Kham
7. R1093. Chiang Kham - "Chiang Khong"
8. R120 Mae Kachan - Wang Nua - R1
9. R101 Phrae - Nan
10. R101 "Den Chai - Sisatchanalai"
11. R11 Cnx - Lampang - Uttaradit
12. R1150 Phrao - Wiang Pa Pao
13. R109 Fang - Mae Suai
14. R1089 Tha Ton - Mae Chan
15. R1340 Arunothai - Doi Ang Khang
16. R1322 The Wiang Haeng Road
17. R1095 Pai - Soppong - Mae Hong Son (exclude Mae Malai - Pai because the road is seldom in good condition & there's usually too much traffic.)
18. R108 Mae Sarieng - Khun Yuam - Mae Hong Son
19. R1263 Mae Chaem - Khun Yuam
20. R1009 The Doi Inthanon Road
21. R1192 Doi Inthanon - Mae Chaem
22. R1096 Mae Rim - "Samoeng"
23. R1269 Sanpasak - Samoeng

ok 23 nominations, anymore before we narrow it down.
 

DavidFL

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Davidfl;276796 wrote: "TOP TEN" FAVOURITE ROADS IN NORTH THAILAND
1. R1148 Chiang Kham - Tha Wang Pha
2. R1091 Chiang Muan - Nan
3. R1256 Doi Phukha Pua - Bo Klua.
4. R1081 Bo Klua - R1169
5. R1080 Nan - Pua - Huay Kon
6. R1155 "Chiang Khong" - Thoeng/ Chiang Kham
7. R1093. Chiang Kham - "Chiang Khong"
8. R120 Mae Kachan - Wang Nua - R1
9. R101 Phrae - Nan
10. R101 "Den Chai - Sisatchanalai"
11. R11 Cnx - Lampang - Uttaradit
12. R1150 Phrao - Wiang Pa Pao
13. R109 Fang - Mae Suai
14. R1089 Tha Ton - Mae Chan
15. R1340 Arunothai - Doi Ang Khang
16. R1322 The Wiang Haeng Road
17. R1095 Pai - Soppong - Mae Hong Son (exclude Mae Malai - Pai because the road is seldom in good condition & there's usually too much traffic.)
18. R108 Mae Sarieng - Khun Yuam - Mae Hong Son
19. R1263 Mae Chaem - Khun Yuam
20. R1009 The Doi Inthanon Road
21. R1192 Doi Inthanon - Mae Chaem
22. R1096 Mae Rim - "Samoeng"
23. R1269 Sanpasak - Samoeng

ok 23 nominations, anymore before we narrow it down.
24.R1162 / 11243 Nan.
 
Dec 27, 2007
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Nice list!

How about Highway 12 through Nam Nao National Park, aka Nam Nao Circuit? :D
 

Dougal

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Dec 18, 2007
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Great list David.

I'd like to submit a few more for consideration, maybe there can be an "honorable mention" section?

- R2331 Phu Hin Ronkla
- R1083 East and South of Na Noi
- R1268 Laos border road South to Na Haeo
- R1090 to Umphang
 

DavidFL

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The "Final" List:

"TOP TEN" FAVOURITE ROADS IN NORTH THAILAND
1. R1148 Chiang Kham - Tha Wang Pha
2. R1091 Chiang Muan - Nan
3. R1256 Doi Phukha Pua - Bo Klua.
4. R1081 Bo Klua - R1169
5. R1080 Nan - Pua - Huay Kon
6. R1155 "Chiang Khong" - Thoeng/ Chiang Kham
7. R1093. Chiang Kham - "Chiang Khong"
8. R120 Mae Kachan - Wang Nua - R1
9. R101 Phrae - Nan
10. R101 "Den Chai - Sisatchanalai"
11. R11 Cnx - Lampang - Uttaradit
12. R1150 Phrao - Wiang Pa Pao
13. R109 Fang - Mae Suai
14. R1089 Tha Ton - Mae Chan
15. R1340 Arunothai - Doi Ang Khang
16. R1322 The Wiang Haeng Road
17. R1095 Pai - Soppong - Mae Hong Son (exclude Mae Malai - Pai because the road is seldom in good condition & there's usually too much traffic.)
18. R108 Mae Sarieng - Khun Yuam - Mae Hong Son
19. R1263 Mae Chaem - Khun Yuam
20. R1009 The Doi Inthanon Road
21. R1192 Doi Inthanon - Mae Chaem
22. R1096 Mae Rim - "Samoeng"
23. R1269 Sanpasak - Samoeng
24.R1162 / 11243 Nan
25. R118 Doi Saket - Mae Kachan / R120 turn off.
26. R1083 East and South of Na Noi

OTHER
R2331 Phu Hin Ronkla
R1268 Laos border road South to Na Haeo
R1090 to Umphang
Highway 12 through Nam Nao National Park, aka Nam Nao Circuit

* perhaps we should start off a Top Ten Other list?
 
Jul 25, 2010
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Thanks David. I have taken a screen grab of this which now becomes my work plan......when the smoke has gone that is.
 

Dougal

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Dec 18, 2007
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David,

Had a look at the voting page ..................... do we select only one or our top ten ?
 
Jan 14, 2010
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I think I chose about 4.
Interesting that before I voted, I could see who had voted for what (only 2 others at that time) but as soon as I voted, I could see the results but not who had voted.