Explore/Thailand/TH 57/Mae Hong Son Loop — Northern Thailand Highlands
THChiang Mai, ThailandModeratePaved3-day tripMotoVault Pick

Mae Hong Son Loop — Northern ThailandHighlands.

Distance
600 km
Duration
3 days
Climb
5,200 m
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Curated by Rider · Updated Aug 2026
Overview

Mae Hong Son Loop — Northern Thailand Highlands.

The Mae Hong Son Loop is Southeast Asia's most celebrated motorcycle route — a 600km circuit through the mountains of northern Thailand. The road crosses 1,864 curves (counted), passes through hill-tribe villages, Buddhist temples, and the misty Mae Hong Son valley. Best ridden October–February (post-monsoon, cool and clear).

Quick facts

SurfacePaved
Distance600 km
Days3
Total climb5,200 m
DifficultyModerate
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Day-by-day

3 days, 3 moods.

A suggested split across 3 days with 11 waypoints to discover along the way.
DAY 01
Chiang Mai → Mae Hong Son
4 stops
Start
Chiang MaiStart · Start in Chiang Mai. Fuel up at the city edge. Take Route 108 south toward Mae Sariang.
Scenic
Ob Luang Gorge National ParkScenic Point · A narrow gorge where the Chaem River cuts through granite walls. Short walk to the suspension bridge above the gorge.
Food
Mae SariangRestaurant · Lunch in Mae Sariang on the Salween River. A relaxed riverside market town. Burmese influence in the temples here.
Overnight
Mae Hong SonOvernight · Overnight in Mae Hong Son. Small mountain city surrounded by peaks with a beautiful lake in the centre. Morning mist most mornings.
DAY 02
Mae Hong Son Wat Jong Kham → Pai
4 stops
Photo
Mae Hong Son Wat Jong KhamPhoto Spot · The twin temples on the lake, reflected in still water at dawn. One of Thailand's most photographed temple scenes.
Scenic
Pang Mapha CavesScenic Point · The area around Pang Mapha has extensive cave systems with prehistoric coffins inside. Day detour possible.
Scenic
Pai Canyon ViewpointScenic Point · Narrow red-earth canyon ridges above the Pai valley. Excellent sunset spot.
Overnight
PaiOvernight · Overnight in Pai — the bohemian backpacker town at 800m. Heavily developed now but the mountain setting is still beautiful. Hot springs 7km east.
DAY 03
Pai River Valley → Chiang Mai
3 stops
Scenic
Pai River ValleyScenic Point · The road north from Pai is the mountain section — constant 180° bends through limestone karst and teak forest.
Food
Mae RimRestaurant · Café stop in the orchid and elephant country north of Chiang Mai.
End
Chiang MaiEnd · Return to Chiang Mai completing the loop. 1,864 curves total.

More routes in TH 57

Doi Tung — Chiang Rai to the Northern Border via the Royal MountainTH 57 · 130 kmDoi Mae Salong — Chiang Rai to Santikhiri Tea MountainTH 57 · 150 kmPhu Chi Fa & Doi Pha Tang — Thai-Laos Border Sky RidgeTH 57 · 210 kmDoi Ang Khang Royal Project Circuit — Chiang Rai Highlands LoopTH 57 · 200 km

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