Dirt Bike Routes in Chiang Mai

A challenging and rewarding trail leading towards the Myanmar border, following technical single track and nice flowing double track. Thrilling views, cool forests, a bespoke coffee shop and helicopter pads.

An accessible single track leading through the hills and forests of Eastern Chiang Mai to the quaint hill tribe village of Mae Kampong. Enjoy fast and flowing single track, steep rutted sections and a fun hill climb.

A great loop through the forests of Northern Chiang Mai, leading to the small town of Phrae before looping back to Chiang Mai. An easy beginner ride with 4x4 roads suitable in all seasons.

A fun, relatively easy (though potentially bush-wacky in some parts) ride into the hill of Chom Thong before heading into the jungle. Over-grown, fun adventurous, this trail will leave you talking about it weeks later.

A fun ride through the best parts of Samoeng and Khun Win. Ideal for beginners looking to explore the best areas of Chiang Mai for dirt riding.

Also known as The 1,000 Rivers or The River Run, this is an excellent beginner trail suitable for an easy morning. Starting in Hang Dong and winding up a scenic 4x4 trail up to an elephany sanctuary, this is a great break-in ride or a place to go if you are taking beginners for a ride.

Hardly a dirt ride anymore, there is only a few kilometers of dirt left on this historic route between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. However, it is an excellent ride, passing through the hills and fields of Northern Thailand.

A fun single track ride through a bamboo grove, creek and forest. Great full day ride, plenty of varied terrain. Note: the national park closes during the dry season to prevent forest fires. Be aware of signs indicating restricted access. Fines and other penalties may apply.

A fun, easy 4x4 route through the tea plantations of the Ramming Tea Estate, leading to the cute riverside town of Muang Khong before ending in Chiang Dao

A great 4x4 and single track loop through the hills of Lampang. Known for fallen trees, this loop will require you to push your bike over, under or around these obstacles.

A great loop around the dirt and concrete roads of Northern Lampang, near Mae Kachan and Wang Nuea. Can get quite dusty in the dry season.

An excellent dirt and concrete ride up through Phang Ma Pha (near the helicopter trail) coming to the Myanmar border. Commands stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including into Myanmar, this is an excellent way to explore the Northern frontier.

A great ride to Pai via the dirt and concrete backroads.,

An easy beginner loop close to Chiang Mai. Perfect for an easy day or taking new riders out to explore.Next to the sticky waterfalls for a great activity afterwards or during a lunch stop.

A fun, fast ride up a scenic and forested mountain near Chiang Mai. 4x4 and farm trails predominate here, with a few single tracks available for exploration

A fun, though challenging at time, adventure through the forested hills near Doi Inthanon. Starting at a statue of Jesus at a local church (hence the name), this single track trail winds up the mountains before finally joining a larger 4x4 road leading to a small village at the base of Doi Inthanon. A classic trail in Chiang Mai and a must visit at least once.

A great ride though dirt and concrete 4x4 roads around the Western side of Mae Chaem. Creeping up the hills behind Mae Chaem and offering stunning views of Doi Inthanon, this route takes you through farm roads, fields and villages.

A scenic concrete and 4x4 dirt road route leading to the remote Karen village of Tha Koh Kha. A great way to get to the Western border of Thailand and also featuring Karen hospitality. No hotels or homestays here, just camping. The villagers are extra ordinarily hospitable and will assist you if you need anything. A nearby waterfall is well worth a visit.

An unforgettable ride up a rocky, rutted and at times, steep, ascent to the peak of Doi Soi Malai. Offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills and of the Bhumipol lake, formed from the Mae Ping river.

A mixed ride of dirt 4x4, concrete and main roads leading from Chiang Mai to Nan. An excellent ride with varied surfaces. A must ride route.

A fun, rutted and rocky ascent that sits between Chiang Mai and the trails of Mae On proper. A great trail to ride before heading into the hills of Mae On.

A route up the North side of Doi Pui. A great rdie, easy, fun, shaded, and available whenever the park allows the trails to remain open. Typically closed during the burning season to combat forest fires, keep your eyes open for park closures before you ride this trail.

A dirt trail from Mae Wang to nearby the Chom Thong Area

A beautiful ride near the Western Border of Thailand. From the town of Mae Sariang the route will take you through a national forest (be aware of closures) and then to the border town of Mae Sam Laep. A great ride and must visit.

A challenging ascent of the Mae On hills and ending in Mae Kampong. Rutted, steep and quite challenging single track. Not advised to ride this track solo.

A ride from Mae Sariang through the national park to the abandoned border police station at Tha Ta Fang. A beautiful ride through the national park (be cautious of closures) and through remote Karen villages. A must ride trail.

A fun rip through the mountains of Chiang Dao.

Explore the entirety of the area around Chiang Dao. From the town of Chiang Dao, into the mountains towards the town of San Pak Khia, where a series of farm tracks leads to Muang Khong. Here, head South to Mae Taeng.

Rutted, steep, un-used and dry, this track is falling into disrepair. However, it is quite engaging still. A meandering track through the hill of Samoeng to the small village of Ban Om Long, this trail takes you through creeks, full in the rainy season and nearly dry in the winter. A hill climb section in the middle of the trail is the crux, but it is entirely doable, if you have proper tires and motorcycles.

A short 4x4 trail that has become disused and rutted. It runs through the hills and forests of the back-side of Doi Pui and then to Samoeng Town.

An exciting adventure ride of mostly 4x4 but also including some single track leading from Samoeng to Mae Win. A great ride through hills, forests and farm lands.

An increasingly paved section of trail, the dirt sections here won't last too long. Leading from a key junction of the old Elephant Trail to the town of Pai, this route leads through the forests and hills South of Pai.

An easy ride from Muang Khong to Wiang Haeng following hills and rivers. Mostly through farm roads and community, this dirt track will most likely be paved soon.

An absolutely spectacular ride from a small border outpost through a muddy and hilly track to the border community of Lee Tong Ku, home to a community of Karens who still hold pre-Christian and pre-Buddhist beliefs.

A beautiful trail from the town of Wiang Haeng to the Myanmar border.

An easy, fast and scenic 4x4 and concrete road leading from the town of Wiang Haeng to Pai (or, at least, the 1095).

From Pai to Chiang Mai featuring fun sections of dirt / broken concrete to Baan Saar Neaua, single track near a forest temple and plenty of 4x4 roads.

Single track and farm roads from South Chom Thong to Mae Chaem

A great mix of 4x4 and single track leading from the Western edge of Samoeng down to Mae Chaem. Featuring a great wooden bridge crossing and plenty of fast and flowing 4x4 roads.

A great 4x4 and single track route leading through Chom Thong and featuring an ascent of Doi Pha Khao Noi.

A great flowing 4x4 route leading from the town of Hot to the mountain town of Om Koi. A great scenic route doable in all seasons, though the red clay in some sections will get quite slick during the rainy season.

A great through the hills and valleys of Om Koi district. Significant portions are paved, but the remaining are great 4x4 dirt roads leading through small villages.

A fun, easy route through the Huai Nam Daeng National park to the small town of Muang Khong before heading South to Mae Taeng and finally to Chiang Mai

A great route that leads from Mae Sariang into the hills and valleys near the Myanmar border. A great trail featuring an amazing river run section that should not be missed.

A great route leading through easy 4x4 trails through the farms and hills of Mae Wang and near the out-skirts of Doi Inthanon. An easy day ride.

A full day route best done in the dry season as wet and slick trail conditions will make this route quite long. Nearly 250 km of road, concrete, and dirt, this is a full view of the 4x4 dirt roads between Chiang Mai, Samoeng, Wat Chan and Pai. A great route.

A great 4x4 road through the hills of Chom Thong to Mae Chaem. Excellent ridgeline views, forest tracks, and farm trails.

A great selection of dirt trails in the Mae Rim area.

A fun river run trail at the start of the route. Beware, there is a massive fallen tree blocking the main trail. A fairly elaborate go-around trail has been constructed but that can easily become quite difficult during rainy or wet conditions. The remainder of the trail is in great shape.

A great loop exploring some of the best scenery in Western Chiang Mai district. Plenty of red clay, making this route quite slick during the rainy season, it's still extremely doable and a fun adventure. The first part of the route is heading to the trail head, which involves 2 hours of road riding.

A jaunt through the backroads of Lampang, East of Mae Kampong, following the farm roads and dirt tracks through corn and rice fields. Challenging at times, due to the washed out nature of the roads. When wet or raining, this track will become quite difficult, meaning that it should only be attempted in the dry season.

A great 4x4 road exploration of the villages and communities in rural Phayao and Lampang, especially the community Ban Mae Ngio. Featuring fast and flowing dirt roads, jaw dropping cliff views, this is a track that can be ridden all year round.

A great ride through the Silanna National Park up to a secluded waterfall overlooking the Phrao valley. Slippery, forested and, at times, a bit steep, this track is a great ride at the end of rainy season when the waterfall still is pumping but the ground has dried a bit.

A great ride through the farm and hill tracks from Northern Samoeng to Mon Jam. Featuring a mix of concrete, 4x4 and single track, this is an excellent ride regardless of the season. However, as a note, during the rainy season the red clay becomes extremely slippery, so exercise caution. In addition, there were a few fallen trees, requiring care to find the go-around trail.

A ride along the Mekhong river from the border town of Huay Xai to the small town of Muang Long, nesteled in the hills of Northern Laos. A great ride into the countryside that is far preferable to the main road.

A fun 4x4 dirt road nearing the Chinese border leading to the town of Luang Nampatha. A great ride.

A mostly tarmac ride though with sections of dirt from Luang Namptha to Phongsaly.

An amazing ride from the Northern town of Muang Khua to the riverside town of Muang Khua.

A fantastic ride from Muang Khua to Nong Khiaw.

A fun ride from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang

A fun ride on 4x4 dirt roads up the river from Muang Ngoy to Nong Khiaw. From there, hiking to viewpoints in the hills affords an excellent view of the valley of Nong Khiaw. The route then proceeds South towards Luang Prabang

A dusty (or muddy) dirt road leading to the riverside town of Pak Beng. While the town isn't much, the hotels are nice and the views are spectacular.

A fun and scenic ride down the dirt roads following the Mekhong river from the border town of Huay Xai. The second half of the ride is on relatively good tarmac roads connecting the Mekhong river to the town of Nam Nguen. From this town, its a short ride to Pak Beng and the hotels over-looking the Mekhong River.

A bit of a main road slog, but a good ride to the plain of jars.

Taking the dirt road past Plain of Jars Site 2 & 3 to the town of Long Tien which was used as a CIA air base during the Vietnam War.

Taking the dirt road past mining sites and small villages to the tourist town of Vang Vieng.