Johnsy
Member
So here are the details of the best 1 day loop in northern Thailand (IMHO).
Head west off the 107 south of Chiang Doa at the Military check point follow the steep narrow concrete mountain roads which climbs to over 1,400 meters providing great views and scenery on a clear day. The concrete gives way to some great double dirt track and steep challenging single dirt track descending into a few remote hill tribe villages namely Pha Bo Jun eventually coming out at the Mae Taeng elephant camp on the 3162. You continue north west on the 3162 through Muang Khut to Sop Kai mostly along the banks of the Mae Taeng river which is beautiful in places as the river cuts its way down from the mountains. Most of this is on concrete roads which eventually becomes well formed dirt double track to Sop Kai. From Sop Kai you head south on the 4024 to Ban Sopoeng which is on the 1095 (Pai Road), all of the 4024 is a really well made sealed road which provides excellent riding on fast, tight and sweeping corners through some beautiful country. Keep an eye out for the big café on the right side of the hill about 2 or 3 klm’s before you get to Ban Sopoeng they have magnificent coffee, boutique beers, great service and a location/view to die for. After getting to Ban Sopoeng turn left/east to head back to Chiang Dao or Chiang Mai. From the start near the Military check point back to the Military check point is about 110klm’s and involves excellent views, scenery, jungle, remote villages, narrow concrete roads, double and single dirt track (some of it challenging) as well as excellent sealed road much like a motard track, it also has a couple of great cafes and rustic dining locations that makes this loop a must do ride.
Head west off the 107 south of Chiang Doa at the Military check point follow the steep narrow concrete mountain roads which climbs to over 1,400 meters providing great views and scenery on a clear day. The concrete gives way to some great double dirt track and steep challenging single dirt track descending into a few remote hill tribe villages namely Pha Bo Jun eventually coming out at the Mae Taeng elephant camp on the 3162. You continue north west on the 3162 through Muang Khut to Sop Kai mostly along the banks of the Mae Taeng river which is beautiful in places as the river cuts its way down from the mountains. Most of this is on concrete roads which eventually becomes well formed dirt double track to Sop Kai. From Sop Kai you head south on the 4024 to Ban Sopoeng which is on the 1095 (Pai Road), all of the 4024 is a really well made sealed road which provides excellent riding on fast, tight and sweeping corners through some beautiful country. Keep an eye out for the big café on the right side of the hill about 2 or 3 klm’s before you get to Ban Sopoeng they have magnificent coffee, boutique beers, great service and a location/view to die for. After getting to Ban Sopoeng turn left/east to head back to Chiang Dao or Chiang Mai. From the start near the Military check point back to the Military check point is about 110klm’s and involves excellent views, scenery, jungle, remote villages, narrow concrete roads, double and single dirt track (some of it challenging) as well as excellent sealed road much like a motard track, it also has a couple of great cafes and rustic dining locations that makes this loop a must do ride.
