Phu Chi Fa Hike
A Guide to getting to and hiking Mount Phu Chi Fa Viewpoint
Difficulty - 2/10
Distance - 1.4km
Time - 0.5 hrs
Directions
This hike is just a 2 hour drive outside of Chiang Rai. It is located in Phu Chi Fa forest park just 3km's from the main town of Phu Chi Pa. The trail head is located right at the end of "Phu Chi Fa Forest Park, VC2W+2C2, Unnamed Road, Tap Tao, Thoeng District, Chiang Rai 57310, Thailand"
The trailhead is right off the parking lot and easy to see and follow.
This is a very popular destination for both locals and people from Chiang Rai to visit on weekend. If you are visiting there are a number of hostels and hotels available in the town (Id recommend booking in advance to make sure there is room especially in busy seasons and weekends).
If you don't wish to rent a scooter or a car to get here
There is also campsites in Phu Chi Fa forest park that can be booked if camping is up your alley.
What To Expect
Everyone has heard of the "White temple" or the Chiang Rai "Clock tower" but the Phu Chi Fa is a hidden gem with mostly only locals know about.
This hike is very short and beautiful! It is only 700m to the famous lookout / viewpoint which sits at 1400m high on the border of Thailand and Laos.
You can expect it to be busy in the mornings and evenings as all the locals flock to the trail head to peak over the clouds and at night watch the sun disappear behind the giant peak.
This hike has a bit of elevation but isn't anything too strenuous as the pass brings you to the peak.
I personally visited it for both sunset and sunrise as both offer different views, its truly beautiful and well worth the drive out of Chiang Rai.
Be sure to bring some warmer clothes as when the sunsets it can get chilly! There is also no where to buy snacks or water at the trailhead so stock up in town.
