Phu An Ma - Chiang Kham R 1148 - An Amazing Steep Loop

DavidFL

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Phu An Ma is a majestic 16,58 metres mountain peak off R1148 & behind Phu Langkha, close to the Laos border.
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photo from Ian Yonok

Ian Yonok from Chiang Saen has been to the peak & camped out a night there in his hammock.
His report on GTR is here
Chiang Kham Loop & Phu Arnmar Camping

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Last year in May 2019 on a trip back from Pua I thought I’d check out this fantastic little loop off R1148. (I thought I had posted the info, but can’t see it on GTR.)

It is a sensational climb to the top
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The turn off on R1148 is at Ban Hae & the police check point.
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The route # to take is R4029 & is signposted for Nam Min at first.
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Nam Min is a waterfall off to the left & west of R4029 خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏

Further on the signs are for the royal project at the end of the road R4029 خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏
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R4029 is a good surface, asphalt at the start and then when going gets touch & super steep soaring up into he mountains it is concrete.
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You know you're on the right track when you see the Phu An Ma signs.
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Onto the concrete & the road gets narrower and steeper
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In May in the heat just chugging along it was boiling hot as it was difficult to carry any speed on the narrow road.

A nice section of road
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The road ends in Nong ha, Hmong village where there is a forestry office & a royal project.
Both my phone & camera battery ran out, so that was it for photos.

But it is a beautiful ride out straight into Chiang Kham via R1345
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On the way I passed the turn off to Phu An Ma peak, & was not sure of the road conditions - was it concrete or dirt all the way to the top. If it was dirt I'd have trouble turning the Vstrom around on a steep slope. So feeling over heated I piked out on the last 1kms to Phu An Ma.
But when I got home & checked out Ian's photos gain, I knew I should have ridden up.
A return trip is required.

Phu An Ma is 26 kms from R1148 and 36 kms from Chiang Kham.
You can spend at least 1.5 hours in here riding for the loop + another 1.5 hours minimum should you tackle the actual peak.
Check it out some time. It is an amazing little ride.

Phu An Ma is located here on google maps

خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏
 

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ianyonok

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Yes, Phu Anma is a super spot and the walk up from the car park is not hard, 100m of mostly steps, upnto the ridgeline. Looking east you can see Doi Langka.
The loop is also a great addition if riding the 1148. Rarely any traffic on it.
 
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Oddvar

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5-6 years ago it was mostly dirt on the top. I was looking for trails taking me east to to join up with "the dead end". Not more than 4 km as the crow flies. But this is more like an eagles land than a crows land.
2-3 years ago they upgraded most of the roads and sealed the missing 2km going towards Chiang Kham.
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