Loops & Day Trips:

THE MAE WANG LOOP - 165.2 kms return. Asphalt / dirt. See Map . Routes 108 - 1013 - 121 / 1096 - 108 / 10. A gem of a rider's loop, being "nicer" and longer loop than the Samoeng loop, with a short rough dirt section. The MW loop really starts from Sanpathong, 18 kms S-W of Chiang Mai, & goes up the beautiful Mae Wang river valley, then goes west to Bo Kaew & Samoeng, then back into Chiang Mai via either route 1096 & Mae Rim or route 121 & 108 past the airport. The MW loop has smaller elephant camps, like in the Mae Sa valley, but it also has bamboo rafting, plus better scenery and more hill tribe villages than on the Samoeng loop. Note however, that the dirt section is not recommended for inexperienced riders. Allow minimum 3 hrs 45 mins fast non-stop ride. Recommended as an excellent one day loop with hill tribes from Chiang Mai. Use the Mae Hong Son loop map to find your way around the Mae Wang loop properly.

THE PHRAO - CHIANG DAO LOOP - 208 kms. Click Map for full-size Image.

Routes 1001, 1150 & 107. A much better big bike loop than the Samoeng loop, this is an excellent fast half day ride, with good scenery and beautiful forest between Phrao - Chiang Dao - Mae Taeng. It is best ridden in an anti-clockwise direction Chiang Mai - Phrao - Chiang Dao - Chiang Mai. Minimum 3 hrs fast nonstop ride. Ride nonstop to Phrao, and have a drink. Then ride across to Chiang Dao and take a break at either Mon & Kurt’s Restaurant, or the Krua Chiang Dao restaurant by the Shell gas station.

Recommended as half day ride for a fast ride for sport / road bike riders, or take your time with recommended drink stops;

 

1.       Pa Mai

2.       Phrao

3.       Chiang Dao – Mon & Kurt’s or Krua Chiang Dao.

4.       Chiang Dao Cave.

 

Buy GPs tracks & waypoints for this Loop - US$10.

 

GPS tracks: R1001 R107 R1150

Waypoints Chiang Mai, Thapae Gate. Pa Mai Phrao Ping Khong Mon & Kurt’s Restaurant Chiang Dao town Krua Chiang Dao Restaurant Chiang Dao Cave Mae Malai

 

THE PHRAO - WIANG PA PAO LOOP - 239 kms. All asphalt. See map. Routes # 1001, 1150 & 118. An even better big bike loop than the Phrao - Chiang Dao loop, being longer, more flowing and more scenic in the mountains. Route 1150 from Phrao to Wiang Pa Pao has lovely forest cover, excellent panoramic mountain views, and Lisu hill tribe villages en route. Consider drink stops are (1) Pa Mai, on route 1001, 49.3 kms from Chiang Mai, (2) Lisu Khun Jae or Lisu Patung on route 1150, between Phrao & Wiang Pa Pao, then (3) Cabbages & Condoms for a photo stop on route 118 (4) Mae Kachan hot springs on route 118, 64.5 kms from Chiang Mai.  Recommended as 1/2 - 3/4 day ride for a fast ride for sport / road bike riders, who are also interested in hill tribes and mountain scenery. For more details see A Motorcycle Guide to The Golden Triangle P90-91.

THE CHAI PRAKARN LOOP - 260 kms. All asphalt. See Map. Routes # 1001 – 1150 – 1346 – 107. This is a relatively unknown “new” loop, but it is a wonderful ¾ - 1 day exhilarating ride & loop from Chiang Mai. Route 1001 to Phrao from Chiang Mai is approx 96 kms of fast flowing hilly winding asphalt. Route 1346 from “Phrao” to Route 107 (Chai Prakarn) is approx 35 kms of steep undulating twisting narrow asphalt. Route 107 to Chiang Mai is approx 117 kms of which 77kms at the North end are beautiful winding hilly undulating asphalt. 

The way to go is head north from Chiang Mai on route 1001. Ride non-stop to Phrao & take a break. Then in Phrao take a left onto Route 1150 & go 7.3 kms to the police checkpoint in Pa Hin village. At the check point turn right onto Route 1346 & follow it to route 107. At the T JUnction with Route 107, turn left & head home for Chiang Mai. Take a break in Chiang Dao at the Krua Chiang Dao restaurant at the Shell petrol station on the left going into town. Highly recommended as an excellent day ride for more serious riders who like riding and aren’t so worried about scenery or hill tribe villages. Note too, that Route 1346 is an excellent scenic option for going to / from Doi Ang Khang & Fang, if you are a think you might be tired of route 107 and want an alternative route.

THE MAE NGAT LOOP - 93.5 kms return. See map. Routes 107, 1323 & 1001. This is an easy little ride out to a big a dam & back. The scenery, apart from at the dam, is not brilliant, but the ride is quite interesting and a good mix of main highway, narrow tight winding back roads, plus a fast sweeping / swooping section coming out of the hills. Do this one, if you’ve had enough of the Samoeng loop, but not enough time for the Phrao loop. For more info see A Motorcycle Guide to The Golden Triangle P192 – 193

THE SANKAMPHAENG LOOP - 65 kms return. See map. Routes 1317 & 118. A fast 1 1/4 hrs loop from Chiang Mai. Recommended for local residents looking to escape Chiang Mai city for some fresh air and go for a quick blast.  From Chiang Mai, take route 1317, the new “airport “ - Sankamphaeng super for a fast getaway. Route 1317 is basically straight for 16 kms to the route 1006 / 1317 intersection, then gets a bit hilly and windy for 8.5 kms to the hot springs turn off. After the hot springs is a lovely tight winding 22 kms section to Pong Din and route 118 (the Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai road.) From Pong Din its 27 kms back down route 118 to Chiang Mai. Suggested stop:  (1) The hot springs, Roong Aroon or Sankamphaeng. Note that if you want to make the hot springs the main event of the day; recommend start from Chiang Mai on route 118, the Chiang Rai road; and stop at the hot springs / resort towards the end of your ride. But if you’re just looking for a nice quick ride, start from the “airport super”, it’s better riding this way!

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