Date: 5 November 2003
Total distance = 98 kms approx.
Route 1001 & 118.
This is a new loop (for me) and an incredibly beautiful little one too. We did it slightly under the weather, after a few more beers than required the night before. But when good riding buddies get together after a long break, these things do happen (& with regular monotony the girlfriends might say?)
Anyway, this loop takes in the pristine Buatong falls, a wonderful teak forest, plus a 30 mins boat ride (with bikes on board) across the Mae Kuang Dam.
Both the Buatong falls and the serene Mae Kuang dam waters were the perfect herbal medicine for 2 slightly debilitated riders, and by the time we left Mae Kuang dam we indeed felt totally re-invigorated / rehabilitated.
To do the Mae Kuang loop, take route 1001 from the Cnx super & head north to Pa Mai, 48 kms out from Chiang Mai.
In Pa Mai, take a break. There are a couple of cute little shops & restaurants here - just right for a drink or a quick snack.
Then, 0.7 kms north of Pa Mai, take a right & follow the narrow winding asphalt road in 3.1 kms to the Jedsee / Buatong Forest Park.
The water for the Buatong falls originate from the Jedsee spring, which is a 250-meter walk above the falls. Check this out first, and then go down to the falls.
The falls are in 3 stages, with both the 2nd & 3rd falls absolutely unreal, with the crystal clear water cascading over limestone rocks. Even for me it is a long time since I have seen something as pretty as these falls!
They aren’t spectacular, but they are beautiful. Take the kids here & you’ll find an amazing family picnic spot. Don’t hesitate either, to go right down to the 3rd level of the falls, as it is worth the climb back up!
After the falls, you have to back track to route 1001; head north another 1.9 kms & turn right again. This neat little hilly winding road passes thru a lovely teak forest
and at 12.6 kms from route 1001, you get to Pasak Ngam village. Continue on & 3.4 kms later the road ends in the dam!
Here you can get a small boat to take your bike 3 kms across the water to the Mae Kuang dam wall.
Where you disembark from the boat, there’s a nice little rickety wood restaurant overhanging the dam, which for us was perfect for a bite to eat and drink to end the day’s excursion.
From Mae Kuang its a mere 24.5 kms back into Chiang Mai on route 118.
With only 100 kms total to do this really is a magic half-day trip.
NOTES
If you’ve got a big bike, and we had an Africa Twin 750 & a BMW GS1150, it can be a bit tricky getting in or out of the boat - one way, as you can’t ride the bike in & out both times. One way it has to be backed out!
The hardest bit would have to be at the Mae Kuang dam end, where the bank is quite a bit steeper & so more difficult to get your bike on / off the boat. So at a guess I reckon it’s best to back your bike into the boat at the Pasak Ngam end & then ride it out at the Mae Kuang end.
Also if it was wet, I would not be so keen on riding the Africa Twin up the steep dirt slope to the dam at the Mae Kuang end.
Boat hire cost us 150 baht for 2 big bikes, but we understand the fee for the local Honda Dream riders is 20 baht a pop. But as we needed help to manhandle the bikes on & off, we did not complain for 150 baht for the two of us.
Check it out sometime, this is an unreal picnic ride.
Davidfl
Keep the power on
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.We got the boat for 150 baht total.Make sure to back your bike on to the boat when comeing from the pasak ngam side.As per Davids advise,we did and it made it a easy load and unload...Al
Originally Posted by Captain_Slash
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