North Thailand Top Ten Roads

Silom

0
Oct 3, 2006
19
1
3
My son (17) on a Ninja 300 and me on the Diavel had great fun on R1095 in September.
Good road conditions!
He made this YouTube vid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DavidFL

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
R1322 the Wiang Haeng / Piang Luang Road
A beauty of a steep & winding road through the best forest cover in the North?
300339=19748-R!322%20Profile.jpg


75 kms of heavenly riding
300339=19759-GTR-WIANGHAENG-04.jpg


300339=19760-GTR-WIANGHAENG-07.jpg


300339=19761-GTR-WIANGHAENG-14.jpg


300339=19764-GTR-WIANGHAENG-12.jpg


300339=19758-GTR-GPS-R1322-%20Map-07B.jpg



R1322 & Wiang Haeng / Piang Luang have featured on GTR here
Piang Luang - Wiang Haeng Poi Sang long 2015

Chiang Mai - Wiang Haeng - Piang Luang. On the trail of King Naresuan.

1322 - To Lak Taeng and Back

Tham Ngop and a MHS loop

If you're a dirt rider then you have some nice dirt options from Wiang Haeng
A sunny days ride from Pai to Fang via Wiang Haeng.

The Chong Loop

A Dirty Affair

Pai - Kong Lom off road, Chong - Fang via Nor Lae
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
The Phu Phayak road R1307
GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20001.jpg


GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20004.jpg


GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20002.jpg


that goes to the last communist battle ground & (new 2005) museum honoring the fallen communist fighters.
GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20003.jpg

The full story on GTR here:
Return to Nan & back to the future?
 

Attachments

  • GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20001.jpg
    GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20001.jpg
    33 KB · Views: 315
  • GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20004.jpg
    GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20004.jpg
    87.9 KB · Views: 318
  • GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20002.jpg
    GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20002.jpg
    127.2 KB · Views: 302
  • GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20003.jpg
    GTR-PhuPhayak%20-%20003.jpg
    62.2 KB · Views: 303

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com

Attachments

  • gtr-gps-map007b-jpg.jpg
    gtr-gps-map007b-jpg.jpg
    55.6 KB · Views: 283
  • gtr-gps-profile-buddhafootprint-jpg.jpg
    gtr-gps-profile-buddhafootprint-jpg.jpg
    34.4 KB · Views: 255
Last edited:
Apr 2, 2008
330
78
63
Phuket
www.bmwoverlander.com

Attachments

  • gtr-gps-profile-buddhafootprint-jpg.jpg
    gtr-gps-profile-buddhafootprint-jpg.jpg
    34.4 KB · Views: 257
  • gtr-gps-map007b-jpg.jpg
    gtr-gps-map007b-jpg.jpg
    55.6 KB · Views: 308

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Well this could soon be the best one...R1290 Chiang Saen to Chiang Khong.??
GTR - IMG_0250.JPG


They have done an amazing job rebuilding R1290 alongside the Mekong, upstream from Chiang Khong & well the section from the Huai Sai Mann viewpoint is a total adrenalin rush for me now.

GTR - IMG_0667.JPG


GTR - IMG_0692.JPG


GTR - IMG_0739.JPG


GTR - IMG_0759.JPG


GTR- IMG_0239.JPG


The elevation profile from the Muang Khan / R4007 turn off to the R1290 T Junction at Chiang Khong city.
GPS-Map000.jpg


Only 13 kms but what an amazing ride. Short enough to do several runs in the late afternoon & stop for a coffee at the View


The 53 kms from Chiang Saen to Chiang Khong
GPS-Map001.jpg


More on R1290 being reconstructed
Caution R1129 Chiang Saen - Chiang Khong
 
  • Like
Reactions: GTR-Admin

princey

Ol'Timer
Nov 5, 2017
65
27
18
68
Yes Dave
The R1290 is a great road now, not long but with some great fast bends.

Was happy to ride the road about 8 weeks ago.
You talk about "The View Coffe shop"
But no pictures so if a may add a few so people can see how good the view is from the Coffee shop.

view.jpg



view1.jpg



view4.jpg



Yes, this thread is about roads and not coffee shops...... but you can see the great R1290 in 2 pictures.

Now with the R105 from Mae Sariang to Mae Sot is now in good order, I put this road high on the list of roads to ride.

But add in the R1175 to Tak total 300km of great roads,
 
  • Like
Reactions: Moto-Rex

Kevin P

Member
Apr 14, 2018
7
6
3
Thank you everyone for so many great ideas for roads to ride, but I just couldn't use your knowledge to plan my routes without getting them up on a single map first - so that's what I have done (I probably missed a few along the way/couldn't find them!). Anyway, here's a map of your routes:
If anyone wants me to add more/change anything please let me know; happy to update :)

*** Unfortunately the forum software seems to have hidden my link... :-(
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DavidFL

GTR-Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Mar 22, 2016
181
99
28
Thailand
Now that was a very neat trick - well done! Getting a Google Map to display on the forums has been a real challenge, so your solution to that is an excellent compromise... I had NO idea you could achieve it that way! I've actually spent hours and hours trying to find a workable Xenforo add-on app... ;)

It took me a few minutes to figure out HOW you did it... I've made some notes on that here for anyone else who wants to try that:
- Inserting a Google Map into Thread / Posts
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Hanging out at the Akha Swing festival at Sam Yaek on the the Doi Mae Salong road thee's a great new viewpoint where you can see the Thoed Thai road soaring up into the mountains.
R4052
The Akha Sam Yaek - Thoed Thai road.
View attachment 98909
An amazing sweeping steep & winding roller coaster ride
View attachment 98910


View attachment 98911


View attachment 98912

The GPS Profile Akha Sam Yaek - Thoed Thai
View attachment 98913

The Google Earth view
View attachment 98914

Thoed Thai is my favourite out of the way traditional "back water" town in North Thailand.
The ex home of Khun Sa the infamous opium warlord / Shan freedom fighter.
Featured on GTR here
Prince of Death Road Trip-Khun Sa Memorial

Also on Destination Thailand TV with GTR
A fun time on the road for Destination Thailand

The best greatest Poi Sang Kong festival Ive ever had the pleasure of participating in
Poi Sang Long - 2011

Plus Shan New Year
Shan New Year 2011 Thoed Thai

Thoed Thai might be out of the way bit it should be one of the highlights of a night in the Golden Triangle for anyone.
A fabulous "wild west" town full of charm for the adventurous.

It's also the place where I go for Shan spiritual cleansing - getting rid of life's bad luck & bringing in the new luck
Thai New Year a Shan Blessing - Spirit Cleansing

Wanna check it out Thoed Thai...
Where to stay in Thoed Thai
Thoed Thai Accomodation

Where to eat in Thoed Thai
Thoed Thai Restaurants

The Thoed Thai road is on the GTR Golden Triangle map here
View attachment 98915
You can get a GTR GT map here
Golden Triangle Map

Hanging out at the Akha Swing festival at Sam Yaek on the the Doi Mae Salong road there's a great new viewpoint where you can see the Thoed Thai road soaring up into the mountains.

GTR - IMG_8433B.JPG
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
The Chong Lom / Piang Luang - Arunothai road. R1322 (1178)
GTR - IMG_0545.JPG


GPS-Map001B.jpg


At the Chom / Piang Luang end the road climbs slowly
GTR - IMG_0548.JPG


But after Kae Noi there is an amazing mountain crossing up & over the headwaters of the Ping River, between Muang Nga & Kae Noi.
GPS-Map002.jpg


A few images of the ascent on the Kae Noi side.
GTR - IMG_0594.JPG


GTR - IMG_0609.JPG


GTR - IMG_0604.JPG


Up on the ridge line
GTR - IMG_0620.JPG


GTR - IMG_0623.JPG


A elevation profile of the mountain crossing.
GPS-Map001.jpg


The total Chom - Muang Nga - Lin Lee road is considerably longer, but I did not get the full GPS track unfortunately.
Enjoy, this road is magic apart from 1-2 kms of patchy asphalt.
Use this to make a loop and hang out in Wiang Haeng or Piang Luang on GTR here:
Chiang Mai - Wiang Haeng - Piang Luang. On the trail of King Naresuan.
 

ianyonok

0
Subscribed
Dec 9, 2008
1,082
868
113
Great stuff.
I did that loop about a month ago, in reverse direction. Yes, cracking roads and no traffic.
We came in on 1340 from Chai Prakarn via Sinchai to Arunothai... another marvellous road with great views looking down and east across Chai Prakarn valley.
If you have time going west, at Wiang Heang, you can extend the loop by taking the 50klm dirt road southwest to Pai, then back east on 1095.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ashmaster

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Well this could soon be the best one...R1290 Chiang Saen to Chiang Khong.??
View attachment 119583

They have done an amazing job rebuilding R1290 alongside the Mekong, upstream from Chiang Khong & well the section from the Huai Sai Mann viewpoint is a total adrenalin rush for me now.

View attachment 119584

View attachment 119585

View attachment 119586

View attachment 119587

View attachment 119588

The elevation profile from the Muang Khan / R4007 turn off to the R1290 T Junction at Chiang Khong city.
View attachment 119582

Only 13 kms but what an amazing ride. Short enough to do several runs in the late afternoon & stop for a coffee at the View


The 53 kms from Chiang Saen to Chiang Khong
View attachment 119589

More on R1290 being reconstructed
Caution R1129 Chiang Saen - Chiang Khong

On 24 December 2019 GTR had the pleasure of getting a sign erected on R1290 - Paradise Road - in honour of the joy & beauty of R1290.
1613314070613.png


1613314145351.png


1613314163686.png


Don't forget to do a check in when go you past now
1613314187122.png


1613314229028.png


1613314246824.png


The Google Maps location: Paradise Road @ Chiang Khong
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
R1188 Pong - R1148
1614356050899-png.139692


An excellent flowing winding road that links Pong city up with R1148.

1614356365654-png.139694


1614356675884-png.139702


1614445731771.png


1614356758028-png.139705


1614445836210.png


1614445890938.png


See also
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ian Bungy

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
R4052 the Hua Mae Kham road.

1632641779257-png.143401



1632647944013-png.143403


1637078600501.jpeg


1632648571599-png.143408



1632648776860-jpeg.143410


1637078801796.jpeg


Some GTR Trip reports with R4052

 
  • Like
Reactions: Deano747

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,746
5,584
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Some how this one has been missed out - the R4009.

mae-hong-son-motorcycle-ride-tour-thailand-4-jpg.113530


The steepest road in the North?


gtr-nongkheow-elevation-jpg.99823


gtr-google-nongkheow-jpg.99824


1638691701656.png


1638691719908.png


1638691736638.png


mae-hong-son-motorcycle-ride-tour-thailand-7-jpg.113533


Zed's recent report has brought back into the limelight

Ian Yonok & Moto-Rex & Oddvar also gave it a nice write up with photos.
 

Ughetto

Ol'Timer
Subscribed
Mar 29, 2021
361
385
63
E3464E6D-C6B2-43BE-8CE8-5E9019A00E92.jpeg
51A80E69-7397-49E1-B213-1D6CB0FBDB9B.jpeg
2EA1FE16-B3FC-455A-B016-6EC63E5FF64E.jpeg
00F2B835-B705-4D54-B42C-1D0A1B05AF72.jpeg
73708C6A-D6F3-4D67-84CE-8CCD830DFC11.jpeg
ECBF8368-B9A2-4B5C-B628-DAF486FF1E74.jpeg
069E83CB-F318-4125-ABE5-07301B8CD118.jpeg
9AF8BA96-85F4-4D00-8A7F-6BDDEB9F8A01.jpeg
Thank you
I miss 3 or 4 place you are talking about
Hope to go to enjoi soon still waiting for fix my bike....
I remember street doi pathang Phuchifa 15 years ago was not all paved.
I do 2 times this week Mae sai doi tung Mae faluang with scooter
Be careful when have many sharp near doi tung the street is full of big hole.
Many people with tend last week end there and temperature drop a lot.
Singapore road I don’know if you mentioned is not paved only for same km
I like is between doi patang direction Chiang klang.

Here same picture of Singapore road
Have a nice trip:)

Sorry I just see you posted already Singapore road .....
0C5DFB1F-8821-40B8-94EF-F29E3CF9BD08.jpeg
016431F8-969F-449E-89B6-4512E510C505.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Wazza

Ol'Timer
Subscribed
Sep 17, 2017
85
21
8
66
R2113 Na Haeo to Dan Sai.
Had the pleasure of riding this beauty yesterday. Both ends(of the good section) have switch back starts and in between, it’s a race track. Fast flowing, open, up and down, magnificent. Reminds me of the running through Santisuk to Nan (R1169) and David’s favourite, the paradise road (R1129).
Where are the photos? Heading back toward cnx tomorrow, so I might have to ride it again( if I’m not too dusty after nye) and do some photos with my action 3.
All the best for 2024.
Best regards Wazza