All-Time Best
Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai National Park
Thailand's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located just 2.5 hours from Bangkok. The park offers diverse trails through evergreen forests, waterfalls, and wildlife-rich areas where elephants, gibbons, and hornbills are frequently spotted.
Highlights
- Wild elephant sightings
- Haew Narok Waterfall
- Gibbon watching
- Night safari available
Bang Krachao Green Lung
Bang Krachao Green Lung
Known as Bangkok's 'Green Lung,' this 16km² jungle peninsula in the Chao Phraya River offers cycling and walking paths through mangroves, orchards, and traditional Thai villages. It's an oasis of calm just minutes from downtown Bangkok.
Highlights
- Elevated boardwalks
- Traditional Thai gardens
- Floating markets nearby
- Bicycle rental available
Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park
Bangkok's oldest and most famous park offers peaceful walking paths around a large artificial lake. Early morning visitors can join locals practicing Tai Chi, while the park's resident monitor lizards add an exotic touch to urban hiking.
Highlights
- Giant monitor lizards
- Morning Tai Chi groups
- Paddle boats available
- Central location
Erawan National Park
Erawan National Park
Famous for its seven-tiered emerald waterfall, this national park 3 hours from Bangkok offers spectacular hiking along cascading pools perfect for swimming. Each tier presents unique characteristics and swimming opportunities.
Highlights
- Seven-tiered waterfall
- Swimming in emerald pools
- Fish massage experience
- Cave exploration nearby
Chatuchak Park
Chatuchak Park
Adjacent to the famous weekend market, this expansive urban park offers shaded walking paths, a butterfly garden, and peaceful lakes. It connects to Queen Sirikit Park and Wachirabenchathat Park for extended urban hiking.
Highlights
- Butterfly garden
- Railway museum
- Connected park system
- Near weekend market
Benjakitti Forest Park
Benjakitti Forest Park
This newly expanded urban forest park features a 1.8km elevated skywalk through treetops and extensive wetland boardwalks. The modern design creates an immersive forest experience in the heart of Bangkok's business district.
Highlights
- Elevated forest skywalk
- Wetland ecosystem
- Modern architecture
- Near Queen Sirikit Center
Kaeng Krachan National Park
Kaeng Krachan National Park
Thailand's largest national park, 3 hours southwest of Bangkok, offers pristine rainforest hiking with excellent wildlife viewing. The park is a birdwatcher's paradise with over 400 species recorded.
Highlights
- Thailand's largest national park
- 400+ bird species
- Wild elephant herds
- Camping available
Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park
Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park
This botanical garden within Bang Krachao features elevated walkways through mangrove forests and traditional Thai houses. The peaceful setting offers insight into Bangkok's original ecosystem before urbanization.
Highlights
- Mangrove boardwalks
- Botanical collections
- Traditional architecture
- Bird watching
Phu Kradueng National Park
Phu Kradueng National Park
This iconic table-top mountain 6 hours from Bangkok offers a challenging 5km climb to a plateau paradise. The summit features pine forests, cool weather, and spectacular cliff viewpoints over the Isan plains.
Highlights
- Table-top mountain summit
- Cool plateau climate
- Spectacular cliff views
- Multi-day hiking
Rot Fai Park
Rot Fai Park
Built on former State Railway land, this popular park offers extensive walking and cycling paths, a lake, and diverse gardens. Evening walks are particularly pleasant as locals gather for exercise and socializing.
Highlights
- Former railway land
- Lake and gardens
- Evening atmosphere
- Connected to Chatuchak
Best of 2026
Benjakitti Forest Park Skywalk Extension
Benjakitti Forest Park Skywalk Extension
The expanded Benjakitti skywalk system now connects to additional green spaces, creating Bangkok's longest elevated nature walk. New sections feature interpretive displays about urban ecology and native species.
Highlights
- Extended skywalk network
- Ecological interpretations
- Native species spotting
- Free admission
Khao Yai Wildlife Corridor Trail
Khao Yai Wildlife Corridor Trail
New sustainable tourism trails have opened in Khao Yai's wildlife corridors, offering guided experiences that support conservation efforts. These low-impact trails maximize wildlife viewing while protecting habitats.
Highlights
- Conservation-focused tourism
- Expert wildlife guides
- Elephant corridor access
- Supports local communities
Bang Krachao Eco-Trail Network
Bang Krachao Eco-Trail Network
Upgraded boardwalk systems and new eco-trails make exploring Bangkok's green lung easier than ever. Community-led tourism initiatives offer authentic experiences with local families.
Highlights
- Upgraded boardwalks
- Community-led tours
- Local family homestays
- Traditional farming
Spring Hikes
Khao Yai Waterfall Season
Khao Yai Waterfall Season
March through May brings thundering waterfalls to Khao Yai as the dry season ends. Haew Narok and Haew Suwat falls are at their most impressive, with trails offering cooler temperatures before the monsoon.
Highlights
- Peak waterfall flow
- Pre-monsoon temperatures
- Wildlife activity
- Fewer crowds than winter
Lumphini Morning Walks
Lumphini Morning Walks
Spring mornings offer the most comfortable conditions for walking in Lumphini Park, with locals gathering for exercise before the heat sets in. Monitor lizards are particularly active during this season.
Highlights
- Comfortable morning temperatures
- Local exercise groups
- Active wildlife
- Blooming flowers
Summer Hikes
Erawan Falls Swimming Hike
Erawan Falls Swimming Hike
Summer's heat makes the emerald pools of Erawan Falls irresistible. Early morning starts beat the crowds and heat, allowing time to hike all seven tiers with refreshing swims along the way.
Highlights
- Cool emerald pools
- Seven swimming spots
- Fish massage experience
- Early morning recommended
Bang Krachao Early Morning Cycle-Hike
Bang Krachao Early Morning Cycle-Hike
Beat the summer heat with dawn explorations of Bangkok's green lung. The mangrove-shaded paths stay cool longer, and morning mist creates magical photography opportunities.
Highlights
- Cool morning temperatures
- Misty mangroves
- Bird watching
- Local breakfast spots
Fall Hikes
Kaeng Krachan Mist Season
Kaeng Krachan Mist Season
October through November brings mystical mist seas to Kaeng Krachan's mountain viewpoints. The post-monsoon landscape is lush green, and wildlife viewing improves as animals emerge from the wet season.
Highlights
- Sea of mist views
- Lush green landscape
- Active wildlife
- Cooler temperatures
Khao Yai Post-Monsoon Trails
Khao Yai Post-Monsoon Trails
After the monsoon rains, Khao Yai's trails reveal lush forests and flowing waterfalls. The cooler temperatures and reduced humidity make October to November ideal for longer hikes.
Highlights
- Lush post-monsoon forests
- Active waterfalls
- Wildlife emerging
- Comfortable temperatures
Winter Hikes
Phu Kradueng Cool Season
Phu Kradueng Cool Season
December to February offers perfect conditions for climbing Phu Kradueng, with cool plateau temperatures and clear skies. The pine forests and cliff-edge sunrises attract hikers from across Thailand.
Highlights
- Cool mountain temperatures
- Clear sunrise views
- Pine forest atmosphere
- Peak hiking season
Khao Yai Peak Season
Khao Yai Peak Season
The cool dry season from November to February is Khao Yai's peak hiking time. Wildlife is most active, trails are dry and accessible, and comfortable temperatures allow for full-day adventures.
Highlights
- Peak wildlife activity
- Comfortable temperatures
- Dry trail conditions
- Best visibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While Bangkok is known for urban attractions, the city offers several green spaces for walking including Lumphini Park, Chatuchak Park, and the incredible Bang Krachao green lung. For more serious hiking, national parks like Khao Yai are just 2-3 hours away.
The cool dry season from November to February offers the best hiking conditions with comfortable temperatures and minimal rainfall. Early mornings are recommended year-round to avoid heat and humidity.
Khao Yai is about 2.5 hours from Bangkok by car. You can rent a car, join a guided tour, or take a bus to Pak Chong and arrange local transport. Having a car provides the most flexibility for exploring the park's trails.
Khao Yai offers chances to see wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills, and deer. Kaeng Krachan has similar wildlife plus excellent birding. Even in Bangkok, Lumphini Park has large monitor lizards, and Bang Krachao features diverse bird species.
Phu Kradueng in Loei province offers a challenging 5km climb to a mountain plateau, though it's a 6-hour drive. Closer options include the trails at Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan national parks with varying difficulty levels.