[2025 Chiang Mai Attraction] Travel Guide for Wat Pha Lat Monk's Trail (Updated Apr)

Incredible hike and beautiful temple. We got caught in a rainstorm at the top and watched as the water poured down the mountain and the trail we’d just ascended. Amazing and very easy hike (around 40 minutes, didn’t cause trouble to beginners hikers). It will end on a beautiful view of Chiang Mai and the hidden temple of Pha Lat. You will find so much beautiful vegetation and even some waterfalls while hiking ! Highly recommend this activity in Chiang Mai ! #weekendgetaways

Hello everyone, today I would like to recommend another tourist attraction. This temple is called Wat Phalat, an old temple located in the middle of a forest on Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. This temple is very beautiful and most importantly, very peaceful and shady because it is surrounded by trees and forests. I would like to say that the day I first went there, it was raining with my friends, thinking that it would be a bad day. But believe it or not, after the rain, who would have thought that there would be fog during the day? We saw fog covering the temple very clearly. It made us want to sit in the middle of such beautiful nature all day. For anyone who comes to visit Chiang Mai, don't forget to consider it as another option for tourist attractions. But if we were to recommend, if you don't come, it would be a big mistake. This temple is located on Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. It is very convenient to travel to. There are public taxis, motorcycles, or private cars to pay homage. Wat Phalat, Sukthep Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai Province 50000

This is probably one of closest trial in Chaing Mai city, so if you're up for something quick, a little nature getaway - this is it! Wat Pha Lat is nestled in the forest just a few kilometers down the Doi Suthep road. The trail has a mild incline and takes about 50 minutes from the starting point to Wat Pha Lat. Once you enter the trail, follow the trees wrapped in the customary orange cloth monks. Once in the temple, you’ll see hike was nothing to what you’ll experience. The temple scene is completely surreal and enchanting 🩶 . For this hike, it is highly recommended to wear closed shoes or hiking footwear, as the trail is rough and quite rocky sometimes. But hey, monks do it with sandals! #nationalpark #chiangmaitravel#thailand #2023travelwish #hiking

Hiking the monks trail solo, viewing waterfalls, temples and antient relics all whilst enjoying moments of tranquility in the mountains. This is a medium level hike however you can stop at the first temple but for those seeking a challenge you can do the full incline to the top. The view over the city and the rich history of the site is just another reason to add it to your itinerary #aprilblooms

#thailandtrip The Wat Pha Lat hike, often referred to as the Monk's Trail, is a captivating journey that combines natural beauty with spiritual exploration in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Starting from the base near the city, the trail winds through lush forests, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the chance to encounter local wildlife along the way. As I walked, I appreciated the tranquility of the path, punctuated by the sound of rustling leaves and birds singing. Reaching Wat Pha Lat was a rewarding experience, as the temple is beautifully nestled in the hillside, adorned with intricate carvings and serene meditation spots. The atmosphere is peaceful, making it an ideal place for reflection. The hike itself is moderately challenging, but the well-marked trail and occasional signage make it accessible for most fitness levels. Overall, the Wat Pha Lat hike is a perfect blend of adventure, nature, and spirituality, offering a memorable escape from the city that should not be missed.

Great little hike in the city to go up to the temple, Very different architecture, and calm atmosphere. Probably takes tourists about an hour from town to hike.

#songkran2024 It’s a really nice trail! Very easy for everyone. We started at 8 and the weather was very comfy. By 10 o clock the temple is getting quite busy, so it’s better to come in the morning to take nice pictures. Highly recommend! If the trail seems easy, you can take the second part and go to Doi Suthep trail. The second part is more difficult and hardly works for everyone. So, take care!

❤️Recommendation reason: Chiang Mai has many temples, some magnificent like Wat Chedi Luang, some brilliant like Wat Phra Singh, some splendid like Chiang Mai Royal Cemetery, and some bright like Wat Lamphun. Some say Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the most beautiful temple in Chiang Mai, and its beauty lies in its elegance. 🚉Transportation guide: Take a taxi to Wat Pha Lat Hike (Monk's trail), which is near Chiang Mai Zoo. The car can go directly to the starting point of the hiking trail. The entrance is not very noticeable, there is a green route map wooden sign, and behind it is the road up the mountain. 📝Attention tips: For the first few minutes, the road up the mountain is steep and there is no neat path. It is a dirt road stepped on by mountain rocks or tree roots. Wearing hiking shoes is a wise choice. After 10 minutes, the mountain road gradually becomes gentle and there are more tree shades. Soon, a beautiful mountain path twists and turns, leading people into a beautiful scenery. Butterflies flutter, and the mountain stream appears and disappears from time to time. A deep and green path leads you all the way up, as if entering the world of Avatar. The tropical vines above the head are as thick as arms, twisted into various shapes around the big trees, dotted with large tropical flowers. After walking for about half an hour, you can hear the distant bell ringing. After a few more steps, bend down and pass through a flower cave, and a small bridge appears in front of you. You have arrived. Located in a small fairy valley, a stream flows down the valley along the wide mountain rocks. The pagoda and corridors are stretched out, each one very beautiful, especially the suspended pavilion at the entrance of the back door, where a white Buddha statue overlooks the valley. In front, the huge banana leaves sway under the blue sky and white clouds, and in the distance, the ancient city of Chiang Mai can be faintly seen. The wooden floor is spotless, making it a great place for meditation. Before the mountain road was built, Pala Monastery was the only way for monks to reach the mountaintop temple and was used for rest stops along the way. Nowadays, with cars coming and going on the mountain road, this small path to Pala Monastery has become a good route for light hiking. It used to be famous for its tranquility, but with the strong recommendation of netizens, on the day I went there, tourists were constantly coming and going, and it had lost its peacefulness. Nevertheless, it still retains its elegance and beauty, and if you arrive early in the morning, you should be able to better appreciate its wonders. In front of the main gate, there are tuk-tuks and taxis. It costs 250 baht to return to the ancient city, so it's better to use your own two feet and walk back. The downhill road is easier and more enjoyable. When you reach the foot of the mountain, walk for another 20 minutes and you will arrive near Chiang Mai University.