Immerse Yourself in the Splendor of Autumn Foliage at Phu Kradueng National Park

Escape the confines of your daily routine and embark on a captivating journey to Phu Kradueng National Park, nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Loei Province, Thailand. This majestic mountain, towering at an impressive 1,288 meters, offers a sanctuary of tranquility and natural beauty.

As you ascend the winding trails, covering a distance of 9 kilometers, prepare to be mesmerized by the vibrant tapestry of autumn foliage. The once-lush green canopy transforms into a kaleidoscope of fiery hues, painting an unforgettable spectacle that will leave you breathless.

Phu Kradueng National Park beckons adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. Whether you're an avid hiker or simply seeking a respite from the urban jungle, this natural wonder promises an experience that will stay with you long after your return. So, pack your bags, lace up your boots, and embark on an unforgettable adventure to Phu Kradueng, where the magic of autumn awaits.




This was my first trip to Phu Kradueng, and my main goal wasn't to conquer the summit but to see the maple leaves change color. After lurking in the "Love Phu Kradueng" Facebook group, I saw members constantly updating on the changing colors of the maple leaves. When I saw the beautiful pictures, I lost my mind and booked tickets immediately! I had to go! Luckily, I managed to persuade a friend to join me on this trip. However, for my friend, it seemed more like bad luck than good. 55555+

Friday, December 23, 2016

Meet at Mo Chit Bus Terminal and board the P2 bus from Bangkok to Erawan National Park and Wang Saphung at 9:30 AM.

Saturday, December 24, 2016
Arrive at Pha Nok Khao at 5:30 AM. Take a shared taxi in front of Jay Kim's shop to the Phu Kradueng National Park Tourist Service Center.
To arrange accommodation and pay the park entrance fee. If you come with a large group, divide into different queues to speed up the process.
Counter 1: Contact for accommodation and tents. If the park's tents are full, book a camping area.
Then go to the welfare tent or shop on top to book a tent. Rest assured that there are plenty available.
Counter 2: For those who have booked accommodation and tents online.
Counter 3: Pay the park entrance fee.
Counter 4: For those who have booked camping space online.


After finishing the hike, those who need porters can contact the luggage pick-up and drop-off point at Building No. 4. The service fee is 30 baht per kilogram.
However, due to our frugality on this trip, we carried our own backpacks, while our friend hired a porter for convenience in climbing the mountain.

After everything was ready, we set off on foot at 8:30 am. Let's see what time we will arrive!

The signpost reveals the long road ahead, but as long as there is light, we can continue our journey.

The first 5 km is an uphill climb, serving as a warm-up for the legs. The trail alternates between steps and dirt paths.

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The main characters of Phu Kradueng are the porters. When you meet them, you should quickly make way for them. Each resting point has wooden beams for the porters to rest and place their belongings.


The first rest stop on Phu Kradueng, complete with shops and stunning views, is a popular spot for weary hikers to refuel and relax. With a variety of food and drink options available, visitors can indulge in a well-deserved break without worrying about going hungry. Even those who come prepared with their own provisions often find themselves tempted by the enticing offerings.

After a satisfying meal, I felt refreshed and ready to continue my journey to explore the local dim sum scene. The prospect of delicious food motivated me to keep walking.


The changing colors of the leaves along the way, with yellow contrasting against green, create a beautiful sight.

After visiting almost every waterfall, we had to exert ourselves, especially during the period from Sam Krae to after Pae. I must admit that it was really tough, as we had to climb over rocks to reach Pae. My knees were almost shattered.


Dragging our weary bodies, we climbed the rocks to reach the back of Pha, the spot where everyone must take a picture with the sign "Conqueror of Phu Kradueng." We rested at the pine clearing before continuing to the campsite. Notably, behind Pha, we encountered the first maple tree since we began our ascent. Although its leaves weren't as vibrant as we'd hoped, it was reassuring to know that our journey wasn't in vain.

This is not a hawker stall, but sometimes tourists choose to carry their own belongings. Especially during peak season when there are a lot of people, it's better to carry your own things if you can so you don't have to wait long.

From the back of the waterfall to the Wankwang tent site, it is a good flat path for 3.5 km. Walk comfortably through the pine forest all the way. If you can't make it, sleep by the side of the road and then continue walking.

We arrived at the Wankwang tent site at 3:30 PM after a 7-hour hike. We took breaks to rest, take photos, check in, and buy snacks. We tried almost every snack, even though they were more expensive than those sold below. However, we understood the difficulty of carrying the goods up for sale. Even walking normally was tiring. In the end, we didn't eat the food we brought ourselves and carried it back to Bangkok. I wonder why we carried it all the way up.





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The tents were set up, but the adventure was far from over. With only two days and one night, we had to make the most of our time. We decided to hike to Pha Mak Duk, a viewpoint offering stunning sunset views, located about 2 kilometers away. For those who prefer a less strenuous option, bicycles are available for rent. Don't forget to bring a flashlight, as the return journey after dark can be challenging.

Maple trees at Wang Kwang, on the way to Pha Mak Duk.

December 25th, 2016
After walking 13 kilometers yesterday, I was too tired to wake up to see the sunrise at Pha Nok Aen this morning. The weather was perfect, 12 degrees Celsius, so I decided to sleep in and rest my body. If you want to see the sunrise at Pha Nok Aen, there will be staff to guide you at 5:00 AM. You must go with the staff! Don't be reckless and go by yourself for your safety.

For those who will be descending and need to hire porters to carry their bags, the park will open for registration from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM. Tents and sleeping equipment can be returned when descending, in case anyone wants to collect them and descend later.






We opted to descend after noon, hoping to witness the vibrant foliage of the maple trees. We planned to linger at the first suitable spot we encountered, as visiting multiple locations would likely cause us to miss the 2 pm deadline for exiting the park. Given the distance, Penพบใหม่ Waterfall seemed like the most promising option. Our expectations were exceeded, as the maple trees at Penพบใหม่ Waterfall were ablaze with crimson hues. Moreover, a carpet of fallen maple leaves beneath the waterfall provided a picturesque backdrop for photographs.


After visiting the newly discovered Phaen Waterfall, we set up camp at Wang Kwang Campsite. We decided to take a different route back, passing through the pine tunnel and stopping to pay respects at the Phra Phutthametta Buddha statue. We then took the trail to Pha Mak Duk, where we stopped to take photos of the maple trees at Wang Kwang again. In total, we walked about 5 kilometers on the mountain this morning.

A three-day, two-night trip to Phu Kradueng National Park is recommended to fully explore the park without getting exhausted. Visitors who prefer not to hike can rent bicycles, as most attractions are located within 2-3 kilometers of each other. The terrain is generally suitable for cycling, making it a relatively easy way to get around the park.

I don't know how it got there, but I was packing up my tent and getting ready to head down when I saw this little guy. It was next to my tent, lying still and smiling at me.
After taking a picture of the deer, we started our descent from Wang Kwang at around noon.
Although it was the same path we took up, going down was a real challenge on our legs, knees, and toes.
I felt sorry for my friend, who I had invited to come along and suffer with me. His knees were shot.
After dragging ourselves down to the tourist service center at the bottom around 6:30 pm, we seemed to be the last group to come down. The porters had to call to check on us because they had been waiting to collect our bags since 2 pm.
When we got to the bottom, we were afraid of missing the bus if we took a shower at the tourist service center.
So we picked up our bags and took a songthaew to Je Kim's shop to shower and eat.
We waited for the tour bus back to Bangkok at 2 pm. Once we got on the bus, there was no need to ask how we were doing. We slept all the way back to Bangkok.

Phu Kradueng Trek: 2 Days, 1 Night

While it may seem rushed and tiring, the 2-day, 1-night trek on Phu Kradueng is an enjoyable experience. The abundance of food vendors along the trail ensures a satisfying hike.

This trek provides an opportunity to test your physical limits and witness the breathtaking sight of changing maple leaves. The vibrant foliage is expected to last until mid-January, as some trees haven't reached their peak color yet.

For the latest updates on the foliage and trail conditions, check the "Love Phu Kradueng" Facebook group. Hikers regularly post photos and information.

Regarding food, there's no need to worry about going hungry. Just make sure to bring enough money, as you might even gain weight from all the delicious options available.

Estimated Expenses for a 2-Day, 1-Night Trip to Phu Kradueng National Park

Note: This is a translation of the provided text.

Roundtrip Bus Fare to Pha Nok Khao from Bangkok: 648 Baht

Additional Expenses:

  • One-way Songthaew fare: 30 Baht
  • Return Songthaew fare: 43 Baht
  • Park entrance fee: 40 Baht
  • Camping ground fee: 30 Baht
  • Welfare tent rental: 150 Baht
  • Sleeping mat rental: 20 Baht
  • Food expenses: 495 Baht

Total Cost: 1,456 Baht

Note: Price per person, excluding welfare tent fees.





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