In The Hills Around Trat

[Captain_Slash]

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The route 318, 3002, 4001, 3271, 3157, 4017, 3157, 3271, 318

Total distance 168 km

I take the 318 out of town for about six km then take a left onto the 3002

Its very green where theres a water supply

After about eight km I take a right onto the 4001 to try out a new road for me





Although its only a red line on my map its a well surfaced wide road with lots of bends to enjoy



Rubber trees everywhere around here





I am always saying that theres lots of good roads to ride around Trat and now I can add this one to that list



Good scenery along here as the mountain range in the background is always visible

I reach the 3271 and turn left onto it



A narrower road but also a good one as well



I take a right and its a couple of km along here to this reservoir



This ones almost full

See how clear it is around here, good clean air and no haze. I ride back to the 3271 turn right and ride on until I reach the 3157, I take a right onto the 3157

A few km along the 3157 and I take a right onto the 4017 which has some decent bends



These people are at the fish farm at the reservoir







After a snack and a look around here I ride back to the 3157 turn right and ride on

A few more km and its a right to see how the new big reservoir is filling up









It doesnt seem to be filling up that quickly to me and having just looked at the photos from my last trip here in december 2008 the water level looks about the same, at this rate it will need at least another three years I reckon to reach full capacity

I am enjoying the best scenery for a while now

Back on the 3157

I take a right onto an unnumbered road that is asphalt for about three km then turns to unmade for a few km before looping back onto the 3157



I take a left onto the 3271 and enjoy this road back to the 318 where I turn right and ride into Trat

Pork steak onions and fries tonight at Joys Pizza, 120 baht for the main meal and 50 Baht for the extra fries

[speedybuffalo]

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there are lovely landscapes around there with less intensive agriculture than in Chanta.
A ride I enjoyed recently is starting in Saen Tung take 3158 to the North. In the next village after the road joined with 3447 go straight while the main road turns right. follow the small road around some ponds and swamps until it reaches a dirt road. Just opposite is the Wat Muangg Kha Saengtum and in this Wat there are some intriguing acient stones (vertical columns) on the hill at the right hand side. The columns have all a similar diameter and seem not longer than one meter, but they fit so tightly to each other that you don't know if could be man made or a mood of mother nature - never saw something similar elsewhere. [img] Behind this hill is a lovely pond with lots of plants with strong smell. However I did not see a single monk around.

Leaving the Wat you can take the dirt road to the left until it reaches 3158 again. But at the next sharp corner to the right I took the new road (not yet completed) leaving to the left. It brings you to some lovely back roads of Chantaburi. If you keep taking to the right you can follow the river which marks the border. You will find a nice bridge that brings you to a Wat up on the hill. There are only few monks, all new and young, but there are nuns, one of them there since decades. On the back of its compound there is a small waterfall (rainy season) and natural ponds where wild elephants come for drinking.
One can leave towards Trad or return down to the bridge. Following the river to the right is only for bikes with some ground clearance, the trail brings you to other watering places of wild elephants. A few clicks further, at the next village you regain a nice road, keep left and you join the road that brings you to Makham. Its a lovely raod up and down the hills and with very nice corners - however be careful one of them is fairly progressive.

I'd love to add some pics however need some time to find out how - sorry[/img]

[dirthonk]

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slash, WOW, the scenery and greenery looks awesome, Im dripping with envy its real rough up here out and about in the north at the moment. You canb arely see your front fender on the bike the pollution is that bad up here.

[Captain_Slash]

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Speedybuffalo I have just been looking up your route or some of it that was on my map, I will try out some more roads here but I really need a bike with more ground clearance and better off road capabilities

Luke I dont envy you then and I certainly wont rush back to Chiang Mai

[speedybuffalo]

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Captain, you don't need to worry too much about all road capacities. It is true I enjoy the freedom to take the roads less travelled, but they are still roads...

In this journey, with the exception of the track that follows the river, I would do all roads with my GF - and she rides a lowered CBR 600. The 'dirt' roads have a hard surface (given the no rainy season) Just reduce the speed to limit damage to the fairing by dancing gravel.

With regard to the map: the newest edition (4th?) of the bilingual Think Net map for Central Thai has the Wat included, it is mentioned also on travel guide book about Trad (in Thai language). The later describes the waterfall, too, however not the visits by wild elephants.

There are other lovely, but less known places and rides between Aran and Chanta - enjoy your discoveries