Solo ride from Mae Sariang to Ban Tha Ta Fang, on to Mae Sam Laep hugging the mighty Salween River which separates Thailand from Myanmar, then returning to Mae Sariang via Route 1194.
Heading directly west from Mae Sariang, enter Saladin National Park. Entry fee is 120 bhat for rider and bike. Road through the initial 7 or 8kms is steep and twisty as it gains in elevation, plateauing on the ridge line.
Up here you’re above the jungle and clouds and it’s simply beautiful. So still and quiet with sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
The road until this point is a mix of concrete slab w/ dirt and some loose gravel. Beginning the descent, the road turns to full clay / dirt. Some sections deeply rutted but lines are apparent.
At the first junction, take a left and follow it through to the end of the obvious road on the map at which point it turns into strictly unpaved dirt and single track at times. Route finding can get a little tricky at times but for the most part the way is apparent.
The leisurely journey from Mae Sariang to Ban Tha Ta Fang took me 3 hours. That may seem like a long time for a 45km ride, but included multiple stops for photographs, route assessment and appreciation for the surrounding terrain. There are 60 plus river crossings, some of them quite long.
You pass through only one small village along the route, otherwise I saw nobody. It’s pretty remote in some ways and don’t expect help to be just around the corner. It is a pretty committing ride, but so very rewarding on many levels.
There is one river crossing in particular towards the latter part of the ride that is a couple hundred meters downstream. The route simply disappears into the river with no apparent outlet as far downstream as you can see. Nothing for it but to ride right down the middle of the river and keep looking to your right for the exit.
Some river crossing approaches and exits were a little steep and rocky so a bit of caution is appropriate at times, as too is giving it some gas! It is a superb ride and the most fun I’ve had in Thailand yet.
I did this trip on a rented Honda CRF 250M and for the most part the bike handled pretty well even though it did not have full off-road tires. Would I take my BMW F 800 GS down this track? The answer is yes I would though particular attention would have to be given to some of those Rocky River Crossing‘s.
From Tha Ta Fang there’s no need to route find - it’s an obvious dirt road that parallels the river all the way down to the town of Mae Sam Laep, though is rough riding at times.
Here is a good place to rest and get some lunch before tackling the remaining 45 kms back to Mai Sariang on some stellar tarmac twisties
Heading directly west from Mae Sariang, enter Saladin National Park. Entry fee is 120 bhat for rider and bike. Road through the initial 7 or 8kms is steep and twisty as it gains in elevation, plateauing on the ridge line.
Up here you’re above the jungle and clouds and it’s simply beautiful. So still and quiet with sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
The road until this point is a mix of concrete slab w/ dirt and some loose gravel. Beginning the descent, the road turns to full clay / dirt. Some sections deeply rutted but lines are apparent.
At the first junction, take a left and follow it through to the end of the obvious road on the map at which point it turns into strictly unpaved dirt and single track at times. Route finding can get a little tricky at times but for the most part the way is apparent.
The leisurely journey from Mae Sariang to Ban Tha Ta Fang took me 3 hours. That may seem like a long time for a 45km ride, but included multiple stops for photographs, route assessment and appreciation for the surrounding terrain. There are 60 plus river crossings, some of them quite long.
You pass through only one small village along the route, otherwise I saw nobody. It’s pretty remote in some ways and don’t expect help to be just around the corner. It is a pretty committing ride, but so very rewarding on many levels.
There is one river crossing in particular towards the latter part of the ride that is a couple hundred meters downstream. The route simply disappears into the river with no apparent outlet as far downstream as you can see. Nothing for it but to ride right down the middle of the river and keep looking to your right for the exit.
Some river crossing approaches and exits were a little steep and rocky so a bit of caution is appropriate at times, as too is giving it some gas! It is a superb ride and the most fun I’ve had in Thailand yet.
I did this trip on a rented Honda CRF 250M and for the most part the bike handled pretty well even though it did not have full off-road tires. Would I take my BMW F 800 GS down this track? The answer is yes I would though particular attention would have to be given to some of those Rocky River Crossing‘s.
From Tha Ta Fang there’s no need to route find - it’s an obvious dirt road that parallels the river all the way down to the town of Mae Sam Laep, though is rough riding at times.
Here is a good place to rest and get some lunch before tackling the remaining 45 kms back to Mai Sariang on some stellar tarmac twisties
Last edited:
