Mae Hong Son Hills

The Mae Hong Son Loop is one of Thailand's most iconic road biking challenges. Starting and ending in Chiang Mai, this tour takes riders to some of the tallest mountain peaks in Thailand, featuring spectacular winding roads that offer tough yet rewarding climbs and exhilarating descents. The route meanders through jungle-clad hillscapes and farmlands cultivated by various highland cultures, including the Karen and Shan, with breathtaking panoramas from viewpoints, tranquil Buddhist temples, and warm smiles from curious locals along the way.

After meeting and warming up, the tour kicks off with a section of the Samoeng Loop, one of Chiang Mai's classic road cycling routes in the surrounding mountains. Following a ride through the rice fields of the Mae Rim Valley, riders venture further west into the rugged mountains of Mae Hong Son Province, descending into Pai, Thailand's hippy town. From there, riders conquer the famed Doi Kiew Lom Climb and trace the undulating contours of the densely forested Shan Hills.

After a night at a riverside hotel in Mae Sariang, the tour tackles its queen stage, gaining nearly 3,000 metres over 130 km to the base of Doi Inthanon. Standing at 2,565 metres, the 30 km winding ascent to the top of the "Roof of Thailand" serves as the grand finale, after which riders transfer back to Chiang Mai.

Highlights:

• Ride a section of the classic Samoeng Loop through Chiang Mai's forested mountains
• Descend a long, technical road into Pai, Thailand's laid-back "hippy town"
• Conquer the iconic Doi Kiew Lom Climb through the Shan Hills
• Ride remote highland roads through Karen and Shan hill-tribe country
• Tackle the tour's queen stage: nearly 3,000m of climbing over 130km
• Summit Doi Inthanon (2,565m), Thailand's tallest mountain, via a 30km climb

Surface and terrain:
Predominantly smooth paved asphalt, with occasional rough patches, debris or potholes. Terrain is consistently mountainous, with gradients from gradual (5–7%) to steep double-digit bursts (up to 20% on Doi Inthanon). Average climbing is 1,661m/day, with total elevation gain over 13,000m.

Weather:
Tropical climate. Hot and dry March–June (27–40°C days), rainy July–October (brief heavy bursts), cooler dry season October–February (20–30°C), the best time for this tour. Departures avoid the wettest months and northern Thailand's March–April burning season.

Suitable for:
Rated "Pro" difficulty. An advanced-level road biking challenge for seasoned riders comfortable with 1,500–2,000m of daily elevation gain, back-to-back centuries (three days over 100km) and technical descents. Less experienced riders are welcome but should prepare extensively. Group size 2–16, minimum age 18.