Readme before you journey
Phu Kradueng Wake Up Run 2017: A Breathtaking Event in the Heart of Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Loei, in collaboration with Phu Kradueng National Park, hosted the "Phu Kradueng Wake Up Run 2017" on the opening day of the park for the year 2017, Sunday, October 1st. This event attracted over a thousand participants, including mountain enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals, who were eager to conquer the challenging yet rewarding trails of Phu Kradueng.
The run offered two categories: the 9km "Phu Kradueng Classic" and the 25km "Phu Kradueng Challenge." Both routes provided breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and tested the endurance of the runners.
Phu Kradueng National Park, located in Loei Province, is one of Thailand's most renowned tourist destinations. Established as the second national park in the country, it boasts stunning natural beauty and diverse ecosystems. The park welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually, drawn by its scenic hiking trails, cascading waterfalls, and panoramic vistas.
The opening of the park in October marks the beginning of the peak season, offering ideal conditions for outdoor activities. Visitors can witness breathtaking sunsets, immerse themselves in the ethereal beauty of morning mist, and explore the unique natural wonders of the park's cliffs and forests. October is also the perfect time to admire the cascading waterfalls, adorned with vibrant green moss, creating a truly mesmerizing spectacle.
Whether you're an avid hiker, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a rejuvenating escape, Phu Kradueng National Park offers an unforgettable experience. With its diverse landscapes, challenging trails, and breathtaking views, this natural gem is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit. So, pack your bags, lace up your boots, and embark on an adventure to the heart of Thailand's natural wonders.
My 3-day, 2-night travel itinerary (October 1-3, 2017)
Day 01 : Tean Phu - Lang Pae - Pha Mak Duk
Day 2: Swallow's Cliff - Waterfall Trail - Mak Doo Viewpoint
Day 3: Nakaen Cliff - End of trip, drive back to Bangkok.
For the journey up to Phu Kradueng,
- The park authorities allow tourists to hike from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM daily. **After 2:00 PM, hiking is prohibited** because the distance from the foot of the mountain to the back of the mountain is approximately 5.5 km. The hike uphill takes about 4-5 hours, which coincides with dusk. This could lead to difficulties and potential danger from wild animals foraging at night.
Phu Kradueng National Park is open for hiking and camping on the summit from October 1st to May 31st each year. The park is closed for hiking and camping on the summit from June 1st to September 30th each year to allow for recovery during the rainy season.
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Details and preparations for visiting Phu Kradueng National Park can be found in my previous post here: https://th.readme.me/p/9359
Getting There
From Bangkok:
- By bus: Take a bus from Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) to Loei Province. Runners can purchase a ticket to Wang Saphung District and inform the driver to drop them off at "Pha Nok Khao." Alternatively, runners can purchase a ticket to Khon Kaen Province and then take a bus to Phu Kradueng District, getting off at "Pha Nok Khao."
- By train: Purchase a train ticket from Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) to Khon Kaen Province. Then, take a bus to Phu Kradueng District and get off at "Pha Nok Khao."
- By plane: There are three flights per day from Don Mueang International Airport to Loei Province (Nok Air and AirAsia). Taxis and vans are available for transportation to the park at a negotiated price, taking approximately 1 hour. Alternatively, you can fly to Khon Kaen Airport (more frequent flights) and take a bus to the park.
From other provinces:
- By private car: Phu Kradueng National Park has a parking lot where you can leave your car overnight. Visitors who bring their own vehicles into the park are required to pay an additional fee.
Ready to run? Let's race against each other!
Day 01: Tin Phu - Lang Pa - Pha Mak Duak
Starting at the Sri Than Tourist Service Center to pay the park fee, book a tent accommodation, and prepare the luggage to be weighed and carried to conquer Phu Kradueng.
This morning, both strong runners and novice runners are ready to run to wake up the mountain in a very lively atmosphere. Now there are only 9 km runners and general tourists left, because the 25 km runners have already been released earlier.
Bumped into some familiar faces. An unexpected encounter.
I ran only 9 km from the foot of the mountain to the tent site on top. The organizer gave a cut-off time of 7.30 hours.
Easy, I could even walk there. Lol
The opening day of Phu Kradueng will be refreshing, the soil will be moist, and the trees will be truly lush.
Phu Kradueng is a mountain with a flat top, and there are shops along the way up the mountain. These shops are like rest stops, and some people stop to rest and recharge, while others wait for their friends.
How many shops will we have to pass? Here we go, let's walk and read the signs as we go. The total distance is about 5 km to the back of the field.
Sam Haek
Sam Bon
Sam Khok Gok
Sam Ko Sang
Sam Khok Wua
Sam Khok Phai
Sam Khok Don
And the last shop where we will stop to recharge is "Sam Krae". Let's sit down and rest for a long time. Let's save our energy for the final climb before reaching the back of the field.
The entire journey was shrouded in mist, perhaps hinting at the breathtaking sea of mist that awaited us at Sam Haek. Let's get excited!
Runners, tourists, and porters all share the trail. Please be considerate and give way to each other. In particular, if you encounter a porter, please give them priority.
As the sun's rays began to illuminate the landscape, cutting through the mist, beams of light emerged, creating a truly breathtaking spectacle.
Running with a great atmosphere like this is hard to find.
Upon reaching Sam Haek, I rushed to the cliff's edge to witness the sea of mist. It was truly a breathtaking sight.
Imagine the breathtaking view from Nok Aen Cliff this morning. Let's witness the beauty together tomorrow morning at Nok Aen Cliff.
Take a break and recharge! If you're hungry, I recommend eating here. One thing I never miss, and eat almost every time, is the watermelon. Large, sweet, and crunchy slices for only 10 baht. It's a great way to refresh yourself after sweating.
Grilled sticky rice, grilled eggs, grilled bananas - there are snacks to eat at every rest stop.
Take a break to catch your breath, say hello to the beautiful runners, oh my, they are so cute, can I join you? Wait for me.
For those who have difficulty walking, there is a service to carry you up the mountain. However, you will still need to walk a short distance from the resting point, as the terrain is quite steep and dangerous. (The carriers joked that they were afraid tourists would fall to their deaths before reaching the summit.)
The path is slippery and green, so please be careful. Your shoes are also important.
The road is muddy and slippery, so please proceed with caution.
No matter how many times you visit, in every season, there will always be maple trees to admire.
We've only just reached the halfway point, and we're already seeing runners (with incredible stamina) starting to head back down. I'm a little embarrassed, haha. Have they already received their medals? I'm waiting for you guys, don't worry. Take it easy, guys.
We can keep going without taking a break. If we stop, we might run out of time and miss out on getting enough coins. The path is muddy and slippery throughout.
We have finally reached the top of the hill, marking the end of the uphill climb. In the local Isan dialect, "แป" means "flat" or "level," which is why my friends jokingly call me "Bucky Dang Pa" (meaning "flat nose").
Don't forget to take a picture with the sign at the top. No other photo will make you feel as proud as this one. Show it off to your friends and boast, "I did it!" From here on, the trail is flat for about 3-4 km until you reach the Wankwang Tourist Service Center campsite. This marks the end of the 9 km run. Get ready to walk, or rather, run again!
Everywhere you look, you see couples. I'm not jealous, just a little envious.
I can massage your legs if you're tired. You're so cute.
Runners who have reached the finish line of the 9 km race received their medals. Some went back down the mountain, while others stayed overnight and continued sightseeing like me.
Wait, is there a shuttle service? That's so VIP.
The runners have already passed the finish line, and the car is empty. We're going back to the campsite for another lap. Should we jump in? But we're not going to get in. We came to run. Remember that.
And finally, I reached the finish line. The total distance was 9 km, and it took me about 6 hours. See, I had plenty of time left (almost fainted, haha). This is a picture of my friend, "Kim," not me.
After lunch, we picked up our luggage and stored it at the rented tent. With some time to spare, we went for a walk to watch the sunset. The "Pha Mak Doo" viewpoint was about 2 km from the campsite, and we followed the red dog there.
The light today is not very beautiful, but the view is very romantic. The weather is cool to cold. Don't forget to bring a flashlight, because it will be dark when you walk back to the tent site.
Today, as planned, we finished at "Pha Mak Duk".
We then walked back to the campsite, ate dinner, and relaxed. This time, we got to sleep in the park's new tents. Good night, everyone. Tomorrow, we'll go see the sunrise at Pha Nok Aen and hope for a sea of mist.
Day 2: Pha Nok Aen - Waterfall - Pha Mak Dook
Early morning:
- 5:00 AM: Gather at the visitor center. A park ranger will lead the group to Pha Nok Aen.
- Important: Do not hike to Pha Nok Aen alone.
Pha Nok Aen:
- A stunning viewpoint for sunrise, especially when paired with a sea of fog.
- Today's sunrise was less vibrant due to thick clouds, but a light fog still offered a breathtaking view.
- The panorama encompasses the surrounding landscape, including Pha Nok Khao.
- Enjoy the fresh, cool morning air and the scenic vista.
Runners and tourists who spent the night at the summit woke up early to witness the breathtaking scenery. Some, however, opted to stay asleep, likely due to fatigue and sore legs from the previous day's activities.
For me, just seeing this view is enough to make me happy.
Captured a memorable photo with familiar friends.
We will return to catch the sea of mist and the beautiful sunrise again tomorrow morning. Now it's time to go back to eat, refill caffeine, and prepare lunch boxes with drinking water to continue walking on the nature study trail near the waterfall.
Along the way, there are things to see and take pictures all the way.
"Dew"
The first waterfall you will encounter after starting your hike from the campsite is the closest one, "Wang Kwang Waterfall".
After that, we continued to Phaen Phop Waterfall, followed by Tham Yai Waterfall, which was the last waterfall.
The water level is currently high and the current is strong, making it dangerous. Some waterfalls are inaccessible.
There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way. This is the charm of the early season when new mountains are opened. Don't miss it if you're interested.
I once saw a beautiful picture in the OST newsletter. The waterfall at Phu Kradueng was so stunning, with every rock covered in green moss. It made me want to visit and take pictures there so much.
Don't get tired of waterfalls yet. These have been carefully selected. I don't want to delete them. It's a pity.
Finally, the "Tham Yai Waterfall".
After spending a considerable amount of time exploring the waterfall, I felt the pangs of hunger as the afternoon sun began to set. Leaving the main waterfall, I crossed to the other side of the entrance and enjoyed a meal. From there, I embarked on a scenic trail that led me to Pha Nanoi, a breathtaking cliff overlooking the landscape.
I contemplated continuing my journey to Pha Lom Sak, a distance of approximately 6 kilometers. However, considering the remaining daylight and my weary body, I decided against it. Instead, I opted to revisit Pha Mak Duak for another glimpse of its stunning views. The golden light cast a magical glow upon the surroundings, leaving me in awe. As I stood there, I couldn't help but envy those who were witnessing the sunset at Pha Lom Sak. The thought of its beauty filled me with a sense of longing.
After returning to the campsite, I took a shower, ate, and rested, saving my energy for another attempt at catching the sea of mist at Pha Nok Aen before heading back. Farewell to this heart-shaped mountain.
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Day 03: Pha Nok Aen - Return Trip
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As usual, we gathered at 5:00 AM and were led by the park ranger to Pha Nok Aen. Don't forget your flashlight! As I walked, I wondered if there would be beautiful light and a sea of mist this morning. It was a small hope for a traveler like me. As they say, nature is unpredictable. I could only repeat the mantra, "No expectations, no disappointments."
When we arrived at Pha Nok Aen, we saw a little bit of sea mist. Don't even ask about the sunlight. There were only massive clouds ready to unleash a downpour.
Race against time to capture the moment, before the rain pours down and forces us to return.
This morning, there are significantly fewer people than yesterday. It seems they have exhausted their energy and are saving their strength for the return journey.
After packing their belongings and preparing their backpacks, they enjoyed a meal and hot coffee before bidding farewell to Phu Kradueng.
Farewell, mist, waterfalls, mountains, and little leeches.
You will not be alone, my dear pine tree. The mountain will open in a few days.
This is my 8th time visiting, and my 9th time was in the winter of December 2017, according to this review: (link to Facebook review)
The next time will be the 10th time I have signed up to run again with the activity "Phu Kradueng Wake Up Run 2018 Run to wake up Phu Kradueng Year 2" on October 6, 2018. This time I challenge myself to run 25 km to Pha Lom Sak. Whether I can do it or not, please follow my condition. Haha.
This heart-shaped mountain, Khao Phukradueng, offers a unique and breathtaking experience with its ever-changing beauty throughout the seasons. Each visit reveals a new and captivating aspect of its splendor, making it a must-see destination for all nature enthusiasts. I will surely return to witness its magic once again.
"New experiences, if you don't go out and find them, you'll never encounter them." Life is a journey.
#Phu Kradueng #Loei #Thailand #JustTraveling
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Wednesday, February 26, 2025 8:43 PM
