🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Hup Pa Tad sits inside the Tham Prathun Non-Hunting Area in Thung Na Ngam, Lan Sak district, about 90 kilometres from Uthai Thani town. What makes it different from any ordinary forest is that it's a sealed valley — a flat patch of ground locked inside a ring of limestone hills, and the only way in is through a short cave. The moment you come out the other end, everything changes: the air turns damp and cool, and sunlight pours down in shafts through openings in the rock and the canopy, leaving the forest a deep green that usually photographs even better than you'd expect.
What is Hup Pa Tad, and why is it called a prehistoric forest?
Hup Pa Tad was discovered by Phra Khru Santi Thammakoson (Luang Pho Thong Yot) in 1979. Back then there was no way in — you had to climb over the hills to reach it. In 1984 a tunnel was cut through the cave to make a walking path into the valley, which is how ordinary visitors can stroll in as easily as they do today.
It's called a prehistoric forest because most of the plants down here are ancient species that have grown in a closed environment for a very long time. The star is the fan palm (ton tad), a tall, straight palm that gives the valley its name and grows so densely you stay in its shade the whole way along the trail. You'll also find rare plants like fishtail palm, small khat khao and ground jackfruit, mixed in with moisture-loving ferns and moss that keep the forest floor lush all year round.
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What makes Hup Pa Tad worth the walk
- The cave-tunnel entrance — a short, slightly dark passage through the cave with stalactites and stalagmites to look at along the way. It's the doorway that connects the outside world to the valley.
- Light beaming through the cave roof — from mid-morning to noon the sun pours down in shafts through gaps in the rock and the treetops. This is the moment photographers wait around for.
- Groves of towering fan palms — walking beneath rows of straight palms that line the whole valley really does feel like a forest from another era.
- Pink dragon millipedes — these tiny bright-pink creatures turn up in the valley during the rainy season, roughly August to November. Spotting one is a lucky bonus.
When the light is at its best
If you want clear shafts of light coming down through the cave roof, aim for mid-morning, around 9:30–11:30. That's when the sun sits high enough to fall straight into the valley. Come late afternoon and the light starts to slant, leaving the forest looking darker and flatter.
What's the trail like — is it a hard walk?
Good news for anyone who doesn't hike much — Hup Pa Tad is easier than the name might make you fear. The nature trail is a loop, around 700 metres out and back, and takes a relaxed 30–45 minutes. Most of the path is concrete or smoothed-out dirt, with no climbing involved, so kids and older walkers manage it fine. Just watch your footing inside the cave and after rain, where it gets slippery.
- Footwear — wear trainers or anything with good grip, since the cave and forest floor stay damp the whole time.
- Insect repellent — a damp forest means a fair few mosquitoes, so put some on before you head into the valley.
- A small torch — the cave passage is fairly dark. There's some lighting, but a torch or your phone light gives peace of mind.
- Pack out your rubbish — this is a protected area, so don't pick the flowers or leaves, and keep the noise down so you don't disturb the wildlife.
Opening hours and entry fees
Hup Pa Tad is open daily, 8:30–16:00. Entry for Thai visitors is 30 THB for adults and 20 THB for children (under-3s and seniors free). For foreign visitors it's 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children. Prices can change, and since this spot is well outside town, it's worth carrying enough cash with you.
Leave yourself enough time
The valley walk itself only takes about 30–45 minutes, but it's a fair drive out from town. Pairing it with a nearby spot or two on the same day makes a lot more sense than driving all that way for one stop.
Getting to Hup Pa Tad
Hup Pa Tad is in Lan Sak district, about 90 kilometres from Uthai Thani town — roughly a 1.5-hour drive. The main route is Highway 333 (Uthai Thani–Nong Chang), then Highway 3438 (Nong Chang–Lan Sak), following the signs to Hup Pa Tad from there. It's paved the whole way, so a regular car handles it easily.
Self-drive
The most convenient option here, since it's out of town and you'll likely want to stop at other spots too. There's a car park at the entrance.
Rent a motorbike
Best for riders used to longer trips. The 90km haul takes a while, so fill up the tank before you leave town.
Charter car / taxi
If you're not driving, charter a car from town for a round trip. Combining several stops in one day makes the fare worth it.
Where to go next from Hup Pa Tad
Because Hup Pa Tad is over on the Lan Sak side, driving all that way for a single stop and turning back is a waste of the distance. Try building it into a day that takes in nature and cafés around Lan Sak and Ban Rai — you'll get a much fuller trip out of it.
- Mountain-view cafés around Lan Sak — there are several cafés with mountain views close to Hup Pa Tad, perfect for sitting down with a coffee after the forest walk.
- Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary — a natural World Heritage site on the Lan Sak–Huai Kha Khaeng side, ideal for serious nature lovers.
- Caves and hills around Ban Rai — the Ban Rai area has caves and mountain viewpoints to add on, easily enough for a full day of nature.
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