If you love hiking, gather a group of friends and spend your holiday hiking and camping at Phu Kradueng National Park, the giant sandstone mountain in Northeastern Thailand. Phu Kradueng National Park is located in Phu Kradueng district, Loei Province. Ph
u Kradueng National Park is a very popular spot attracting great numbers of people to conquer the distance of 1,325 meters up the mountain every year. There is a vast plateau of about 60 sq. km. on the top of the mountain. Before you decide to climb up, make sure to be in good physical condition in order to endure this challenging climb. Many people including me and my friends almost gave up and wanted to turn back when we were extremely exhausted from walking just 2-3 km. It is almost 9 km. distance from the base of the mountain (park’s headquarters) to the camp ground on the top of the mountain. If you have a lot of heavy gear, you can hire the local porters to carry your belongings for you. It is 5 km. walk up to the top and the last 1,020 meters to the top is the hardest and steepest part. There is still the final 3.6 km. to walk on the plateau to reach the office and the camp ground on the mountain. However, there are several s
pots to take a rest on the way up including food shops and toilets and that was really helpful for us to take a break before we kept on walking.Trekking up Phu Kradueng there are many different varieties of trees that changes at the the different elevations. Also, you will see the beautiful wild flowers that bloom in different seasons dotted on the ground. After a long journey of climbing, everyone was refreshed again with the high altitude and spectacular views of Lang Pae – the first spot on this highland. We were so proud that we concurred the challenge together and were able to be photographed with the sign at the top that said “Once in my life, I was able conqueror of Phu Kradueng.”
Finally, we reached Wang Kwang Tourist Centre (Park’s headquarter), and surveyed the map. We talked to the officers and paid for the rental of more blankets and then set up our tent quickly. At night, it was really cold. We fell asleep by the sound of cicadas and animals from the deep forest. In the very early morning, we woke up and headed to Pha Nok Ann Cliff that is 2 km. further away from the campground so that we can get some beautiful pictures of sunrise and the pine trees in the mist. Looking into the valley, there was a thick blanket of fog covering the villages and forest below. Pha Nok Khao is another cliff considered a great spot to watch the sunrise also.As the plateau of Phu Kradueng is an abundant forest of pine trees, a savanna in a cold-climate and many other natural sites, to make all destinations within one day is not recommended. We traveled to 5-6 spots per day. On our trip, we were extremely delighted to see the red maple leaves falling giving a great picture as they landed on the green mosses and ferns on the rocky ground around Pen Phop Mai and Tham Yai waterfall. After wandering around the park we were heading to Pha Lom Sak, the most popular cliff for watching the sunset and the most attractive scenery on Phu Kradueng. When it became dark, using our flashlights we returned to our tents. We had a full day tomorrow as there were still plenty of waterfalls, ponds, streams, cliffs, wild animals, and endemic species of plants and a lot more to explore.
At the end of this trip I was really overwhelmed with all the natural wonders and my adventure on Phu Kradueng. I wrote a postcard to myself and wished I could be back at Phu Kradueng once more.
If you ever conquered any higher mountains in other countries and want to do trekking in Thailand, Phu Kradueng should be added to your next destination list.
Travel tips:
*Phu Kradueng National Park: closed June–September Open October–May annually
*The park fee is THB 40/20/20 for Thai adults/children/students respectively, and THB 400/200 for foreign adults/children.
* The park’s headquarter is open and allows visitors to climb up to the mountain from 7.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. daily. After 2 p.m. they would not allow visitors to walk up because it might get dark during trekking and visitors might be harmed from night animals.
* If you are allergic to some kinds of insects or plants, don’t forget to bring your medicine or anti-mosquito and insects lotions.
* You should bring a flashlight and sweaters.
* You should spend at least two nights on the plateau to ensure you see all the sights.
* There are signs posted all over the park, you don’t need a guide.
Contact Information:
Phu Kradueng National Park
Moo 1, Srithan Village, Srithan
Phu Kradueng District
Loei Province 42180
Phone: + 66 4287 1333, +66 4287 1458
If you ever conquered any higher mountains in other countries and want to do trekking in Thailand, Phu Kradueng should be added to your next destination list.
Travel tips:
*Phu Kradueng National Park: closed June–September Open October–May annually
*The park fee is THB 40/20/20 for Thai adults/children/students respectively, and THB 400/200 for foreign adults/children.
* The park’s headquarter is open and allows visitors to climb up to the mountain from 7.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. daily. After 2 p.m. they would not allow visitors to walk up because it might get dark during trekking and visitors might be harmed from night animals.
* If you are allergic to some kinds of insects or plants, don’t forget to bring your medicine or anti-mosquito and insects lotions.
* You should bring a flashlight and sweaters.
* You should spend at least two nights on the plateau to ensure you see all the sights.
* There are signs posted all over the park, you don’t need a guide.
Contact Information:
Phu Kradueng National Park
Moo 1, Srithan Village, Srithan
Phu Kradueng District
Loei Province 42180
Phone: + 66 4287 1333, +66 4287 1458
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