Rating: 4.3/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 06.00 – 18.00

 

Doi Tok is a natural attraction currently in the planning and development phase in Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province. On 24 February 2015, the Royal Forest Department granted permission for Doi Tok to be developed as a new tourist destination of Chiang Mai, under cooperation between the Royal Forest Department, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, related agencies, and local community leaders. The area is still undergoing surveys and assessments to determine appropriate long-term management approaches.

 

Doi Tok has a distinctive status as a overlapping area between Mae Wang National Park and a protected forest zone. It is located along the boundary between Ban Nong Hai and Ban Huai Nam Dip in Khuang Pao Subdistrict, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai. This legal and geographical context means that tourism development must carefully balance conservation regulations, environmental protection, and the livelihoods of local communities.

 

The discovery of Doi Tok did not originate from formal tourism promotion. Instead, local villagers who regularly used the area as a seasonal foraging route for mushrooms and forest products began to recognize the striking beauty of its landscape. Over time, this led to the idea that Doi Tok could be developed into a nature-based attraction, provided that its natural integrity is preserved.

 

Doi Tok is often compared to Pha Chor, a well-known geological attraction in Chiang Mai. However, the key difference lies in the level of development and management. Pha Chor is an officially developed tourist site within a national park, complete with walking trails, safety systems, and visitor facilities. Doi Tok, by contrast, remains largely undeveloped, with minimal infrastructure. Its appeal lies in its raw, untouched character and the experience of entering a genuinely natural forest landscape.

 

The terrain of Doi Tok consists of three main zones: “Pha Daeng,” “Stone Pillars,” and “Pha Dam.” These areas feature natural cliffs and rock formations rather than sandstone formations like those found at Pha Chor. The diversity of rock structures and the surrounding forest environment gives Doi Tok a unique identity and reflects a high level of ecological integrity.

 

A major challenge in developing Doi Tok is the management of land that overlaps between national park and protected forest boundaries. Conventional tourism development models cannot be applied directly. All planning requires coordination among multiple agencies, addressing legal frameworks, conservation priorities, and visitor safety. As a result, current development concepts emphasize community-based ecotourism rather than commercial-scale tourism, with local communities playing a central role in defining access rules and stewardship.

 

Getting There requires caution, as some sections of the route remain natural trails and access often involves walking. Visitors are strongly advised to coordinate with local community leaders or area representatives before entering the site.

 

Route 1 follows the Chiang Mai–Chom Thong Road. After passing the Tha Li junction toward Chom Thong, look for the gate of Mongkhon Waree Temple at Ban Nong Hai on the left side before reaching the Chom Thong Transport Office. A nearby side road leads toward Doi Tok. Vehicles can be parked near the access point, followed by a walk of approximately 2 kilometers.

 

Route 2 also follows the Chiang Mai–Chom Thong Road. After passing the Tha Li junction and before reaching Nana Charoen Market, cross to the side near the Ban Huai Nam Dip police post. Continue slightly northward until reaching a side road heading west, passing a CP pig farm. Park near a large tree and continue on foot toward Doi Tok.

 

 

A: Doi Tok is best suited for travelers interested in nature, hiking, and conservation-focused travel rather than mass tourism.

 

A: While there are some geological similarities, Doi Tok remains far less developed and retains a more natural, untouched environment.

 

A: It is not recommended, as certain sections require walking on natural terrain and there are no formal safety facilities.