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Phitsanulok Nature Trip
Phu Hin Rong Kla–Thung Salaeng Luang–Waterfalls

Phitsanulok is more than Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat and its famous dangling-leg noodles. The eastern side of the province is all forest and mountains: Phu Hin Rong Kla with its Lan Hin Pum knobbly rock field and Pha Chu Thong cliff, the savanna-like grasslands of Thung Salaeng Luang, and big waterfalls like Kaeng Sopha lined up along Route 12. This 3-day, 2-night plan strings them all together at an easy, unhurried driving pace, so you get mountain views, morning mist and waterfalls in one trip.

⛰️ Mountains & sea of mist💧 Big waterfalls🚗 Route 12 road trip
Phitsanulok Nature Trip Phu Hin Rong Kla–Thung Salaeng Luang–Waterfalls

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Phitsanulok's nature route runs along the eastern edge of the province, climbing from Nakhon Thai district up to Phu Hin Rong Kla, then looping back down to play in the waterfalls along Route 12 (Phitsanulok–Lom Sak). Driving yourself is by far the easiest way to do this, since public transport barely reaches these spots. The plan has you stay one night on the mountain to catch the morning mist, then work your way down through the waterfalls. If you're short on time you can trim it to two days, but with three you never have to rush the drive.

Best time to go

Rainy season into early winter (roughly August–January) is when nature here looks its best: the waterfalls are full, the forest is green, and you've got a real chance at a sea of mist on Phu Hin Rong Kla. Some stretches of road get slippery though, so drive slowly. In the hot season the waterfalls drop off and run fairly dry.

Day 1 — Up to Phu Hin Rong Kla: Lan Hin Pum and Pha Chu Thong

On day one you drive straight from Phitsanulok city up to Phu Hin Rong Kla. The route through Nakhon Thai district is about 120–130 km total, and the final 30 km is a winding mountain climb, so leave plenty of time. Arrive before noon and you can walk all the main highlights in a single afternoon.

Day 1

Phitsanulok city → Phu Hin Rong Kla

07:30
Leave Phitsanulok city heading for Nakhon Thai districtFill the tank up before the climb — fuel stations on the mountain are scarce
09:30
Stop in Nakhon Thai for breakfast/coffee and a top-up before the final mountain stretchThis is the last spot with plenty of convenience stores and restaurants before the climb
11:00
Reach the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park headquarters, check in to your cabin/campsite and pay the entry feeEntry for Thais is 60 THB adults, 40 THB children; open 06:00–18:00
12:00
Lunch at the park restaurant, then walk Lan Hin PumLan Hin Pum is a field of knobbly, button-shaped rocks looking out over the forest below — also a sunset viewpoint
14:30
Carry on to Lan Hin Taek, the deep rock crevices that split into narrow walkwaysThe path is real rock — sneakers with good grip are easier to walk in
16:30
Head to Pha Chu Thong for the wide cliff view and to wait for sunsetPha Chu Thong is a historic spot where the communist insurgents once raised their flag; the sunset view is lovely
18:30
Back to your lodging for dinner and rest — it's cool up here year-roundPack a warm jacket; nights on the mountain are cold even in the hot season

Book mountain lodging ahead

Phu Hin Rong Kla's park cabins number around 31 and fill up fast on long weekends and through winter. Book ahead via the national park lodging system (nps.dnp.go.th). If you can't get a cabin, there are campsites plus guesthouses and homestays around Nakhon Thai and the foot of the mountain as backups.

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Book the activities in your Phitsanulok trip ahead

Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.

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Day 2 — Morning mist, historic sites, then down to Thung Salaeng Luang

The second morning is the payoff for sleeping on the mountain: wake up to catch the mist at Lan Hin Pum or a clifftop viewpoint. After that, drop by the park's historic sites before packing up and heading down. In the afternoon you drive on to Thung Salaeng Luang National Park on the Nong Mae Na side.

Day 2

Phu Hin Rong Kla → Thung Salaeng Luang

06:00
Wake up for the morning mist at Lan Hin Pum / a clifftop viewpointFrom the rainy season into early winter there's a good chance of a high sea of mist; it's chilly, so bring a jacket
08:00
Breakfast, pack up, check out
09:00
Visit the Battle Museum + the Political and Military SchoolThey tell the story of the communist-insurgency era in this area; the Political and Military School is about 6 km from the headquarters
10:30
Drive down the mountain toward Thung Salaeng Luang (Nong Mae Na side), going via the Khao Kho routeThe descent is winding — use a low gear to help with braking and don't rush
13:00
Reach the Thung Salaeng Luang Nong Mae Na headquarters, check in, have lunchThere are cabins and campsites; cabins run roughly 900–2,400 THB/night depending on size
14:30
Explore the Thung Salaeng Luang savanna grasslands / Kaeng Wang Nam YenThung Salaeng Luang is a wide-open grassland like a savanna; the main meadow is about 25 km from the Nong Mae Na headquarters, and some sections require a park vehicle or 4WD — check with staff first
18:00
Back to your lodging, dinner, and sleep to the sounds of the forest

Thung Non Son for hikers

If you're into trails, the Thung Salaeng Luang area also has Thung Non Son — savanna grassland mixed with pine forest atop Khok Son peak, about 31 km from the Nong Mae Na headquarters. From late rainy season into early winter the meadow fills with wildflowers. Tents rent for 400–500 THB, but you have to hike in and should contact the park ahead. It's not for anyone after an easygoing trip.

Day 3 — Kaeng Sopha and the Route 12 waterfalls before heading back to the city

The last day is all waterfalls. Drive out of Thung Salaeng Luang onto Route 12 (Phitsanulok–Lom Sak), which has several waterfalls lined up along it. The highlight is Kaeng Sopha Waterfall, the biggest and most beautiful in the Khek River group, and you can stop at smaller waterfalls along the way back to the city.

Day 3

Thung Salaeng Luang → Route 12 waterfalls → city

08:00
Breakfast, check out of Thung Salaeng Luang
09:30
Kaeng Sopha Waterfall, a big 3-tier waterfall on the Khek RiverAbout 9 km from the Thung Salaeng Luang headquarters, with several viewpoints; the flow is strong and gorgeous in the rainy season
11:30
Stop at Kaeng Song Waterfall around the km 45 mark of Route 12You can swim here, and there's a Kaeng Song coffee shop nearby to sit, sip and take in the view
12:30
Lunch along Route 12, then drop by Sakunothayan Waterfall (Wang Nok Aen)A small waterfall in an arboretum, shady and relaxed — easy for a stroll and photos
14:30
Leave Route 12 and head back to Phitsanulok cityIt's about 50–70 km from the waterfall stretch back to the city, an easy drive
16:30
Reach the city, pick up souvenirs, and stop for dangling-leg noodles or other Phitsanulok eats before heading homeClose the trip with a local meal by the Nan River

Waterfalls along Route 12 worth stopping for

Route 12 Phitsanulok–Lom Sak has several waterfalls lined up along it. If you have time to spare, here are some good extra stops.

Highlight

Kaeng Sopha Waterfall

A big 3-tier waterfall on the Khek River, tens of meters high in total and the most beautiful in the group; full and powerful in the rainy season.

Swimming

Kaeng Song Waterfall

Around the km 45 mark, you can swim here and there's a coffee shop nearby — a good rest stop along the way.

Chill

Sakunothayan Waterfall (Wang Nok Aen)

A small waterfall about 10 meters high in an arboretum, shady and easy for a stroll and photos.

Quiet

Poi Waterfall

A small waterfall in the Khao Krayang forest park, quiet and uncrowded — good for those who like peace and quiet.

What to prep before a Phitsanulok nature trip

  • You'll need your own car — the sights are spread out and hard to reach by public transport, so driving yourself or hiring a car is easiest
  • Fuel up before the climb — stations are scarce on Phu Hin Rong Kla and the mountain stretch, so fill the tank in Nakhon Thai or at the foot of the mountain
  • Warm clothes — it's cool on the mountain year-round, and nights are much colder than in town
  • Book park cabins ahead — both Phu Hin Rong Kla and Thung Salaeng Luang fill up fast on holidays; book via nps.dnp.go.th
  • Check road conditions in the rainy season — the climbs and descents get slippery when it rains, so drive slowly and use a low gear going down
  • Comfortable walking shoes — Lan Hin Pum and Lan Hin Taek are real rock surfaces, so sneakers with good grip are easier

Want a different kind of Phitsanulok plan? See the full city guide covering every route

See the Phitsanulok travel guide →

FAQ

How many days do you need for a Phitsanulok nature trip — Phu Hin Rong Kla and Thung Salaeng Luang?

Three days and two nights is the sweet spot: one night on Phu Hin Rong Kla to catch the morning mist, and one more night at Thung Salaeng Luang or along Route 12. If you're short on time you can squeeze it into two days and one night, but you'll be driving in a hurry and won't see everything.

How far is Phu Hin Rong Kla from Phitsanulok city?

The route through Nakhon Thai district is about 120–130 km total, with the final 30 km a winding mountain climb. The drive takes around 2.5–3 hours, so allow extra time for rest stops too.

What are the entry fees and lodging at Phu Hin Rong Kla?

Entry for Thais is 60 THB adults, 40 THB children. The park has around 31 cabins plus campsites, and you should book cabins ahead via the national park lodging system (nps.dnp.go.th), especially in winter and on long weekends.

What time of year is best for a Phitsanulok nature trip?

Rainy season into early winter, roughly August to January: the waterfalls are full, the forest is green, and there's a chance of a sea of mist on Phu Hin Rong Kla. The mountain roads get slippery when it rains, though, so drive slowly — and in the hot season the waterfalls run dry.

Can you do this route without your own car?

It's fairly tough, since the sights are spread out and hard to reach by public transport. Your options are hiring a car with a driver from Phitsanulok city, or going with a tour that packages the Phu Hin Rong Kla–Thung Salaeng Luang route.

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