Ramkhamhaeng National Park, widely known as Khao Luang, is one of the most remarkable natural and historical heritage sites in Thailand. Covering an area of approximately 213,215 rai, it stretches across Mueang Sukhothai, Khiri Mat, and Ban Dan Lan Hoi districts in Sukhothai Province. Officially declared a national park on October 27, 1980, it was the first park in Thailand to be recognized not only for its natural environment but also for its historical significance. This dual designation highlights its unique role as a place where pristine forests coexist with centuries-old evidence of the Sukhothai Kingdom, making it a destination rich in cultural depth and natural beauty.

 

In the past, the forest here was commonly called “Khao Luang,” a name that simply described its grandeur as the “great mountain.” When the government designated the area as a national park, the name was changed to “Ramkhamhaeng,” honoring King Ramkhamhaeng the Great, the visionary monarch of the Sukhothai period who is remembered as one of the greatest rulers in Thai history. This renaming also helped avoid confusion with another national park in Nakhon Si Thammarat that shares the name “Khao Luang.” Today, Ramkhamhaeng National Park is best known for its towering peaks, diverse ecosystems, and sacred sites deeply intertwined with Thai legends and traditions.

 

The landscape is dominated by rugged mountain ranges running along a north-south axis, rising dramatically from the surrounding plains. From afar, the massif resembles a giant anthill standing boldly above rice fields, creating an iconic backdrop for Sukhothai’s countryside. The highest point is the summit of Khao Luang, which rises to about 1,200 meters above sea level. The climate on the peaks is cool throughout the year, often blanketed in mist during the rainy and winter seasons, with average temperatures ranging between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius. For travelers, the best time to visit is from September to February, when the weather is refreshing and the scenery at its finest.

 

The park’s natural inhabitants include wildlife such as banteng, barking deer, black bears, wild boars, kingfishers, and swiftlets. The forests are home to valuable hardwood species such as teak, takhian, teng, and rang, alongside a wide variety of medicinal plants and herbs that local communities have relied upon for generations. Streams cascade down the slopes to form waterfalls, while caves and rocky outcrops conceal relics of historical and religious importance.

 

One of the park’s main highlights is the summit of Khao Luang, which is made up of four distinct peaks. Khao Narai, at 1,160 meters, is the site of a Royal Thai Air Force telecommunications station. From here, visitors can admire sweeping views of the surrounding provinces, with the twinkling lights of Sukhothai and Phitsanulok visible at night. Khao Phra Mae Ya, rising to 1,200 meters, is steeped in legend as a retreat where Mae Ya, a revered maternal figure of Sukhothai, once meditated. Khao Phu Ka, also at 1,200 meters, and Khao Phra Chedi, at 1,185 meters, are equally captivating, offering panoramic views of the ancient hydraulic system known as the “Sridaphong” and the modern city of Sukhothai spread across the plains below. The summits are covered with expansive natural grasslands spanning some 3,000 rai, where various grasses and herbs grow in abundance, painting the mountaintop in seasonal hues.

 

On the way up to the peaks, travelers encounter several notable spots. The giant fig tree known as Sai Ngam spreads its branches gracefully, providing shade and a tranquil place to rest. Not far from it lies the Nang Nak Shaft, a natural crevice on the mountaintop that measures about half a meter wide and one and a half meters long. Its depth remains unknown, and local legends connect it to tales of King Ramkhamhaeng from ancient chronicles, weaving mythology into the park’s natural wonders.

 

Ramkhamhaeng National Park is particularly famous for its collection of medicinal herbs and sacred plants. Among the species found here are rare and potent varieties such as “Dong Mai Ru Lom,” “Hom Klai Dong,” “Nang Khum,” “Hanuman Prasan Kai,” and “Kamang Suea Khrong,” all of which hold cultural and traditional significance. At the base of the mountain lies Suan Lumphiniwan, a botanical garden dedicated to these medicinal plants. Today, this area also serves as the location of the park’s headquarters, where visitors can begin their exploration.

 

The park is also rich in historical landmarks, with four ancient gates providing a tangible link to its past. The “Pa Gate” lies to the north near the ranger station, the “Makha Gate” to the west once served as an outpost, the “Pluey Gate” to the east functioned as a checkpoint, and the “Phra Ruang Gate” to the south is tied to legends of King Ramkhamhaeng flying kites in the area. These gates remind visitors that the mountain was not only a natural stronghold but also a place of cultural and historical importance during the Sukhothai era.

 

Among the most breathtaking natural attractions is the Rainbow Waterfall, located on the western side of Khao Luang. Fed by streams from Khao Chedi, the cascade tumbles down a sheer cliff. When sunlight strikes the spray between late morning and mid-afternoon, a vivid rainbow appears, giving the waterfall its name. The falls consist of four tiers, each accessible by hiking along the stream, with distances ranging from 800 to 1,200 meters from the ranger station. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the natural pools while immersing themselves in the pristine forest setting.

 

Religious and historical sites within the park are equally compelling. At the foot of the mountain lies the Buddha’s Footprint, intricately carved from slate with 108 auspicious symbols, dating back to the reign of King Lithai of Sukhothai over 600 years ago. Nearby stands the Prang Khao Pu Cha, a Khmer-style brick sanctuary from the Baphuon period, built more than 1,500 years ago as a spiritual landmark for travelers. The park also contains caves steeped in legend, such as the Narai Cave, once home to a revered Avalokiteshvara statue, now lost but remembered in local lore, and the Phra Mae Ya Cave, where an image of Mae Ya was once enshrined before being relocated to a shrine near Sukhothai’s provincial hall.

 

The historic Phra Ruang Road runs through the area, linking Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, and Si Satchanalai across a distance of 123 kilometers. Believed to have been built more than 700 years ago, it served as both a military route and a lifeline for trade and communication, and is often considered the first highway of Thailand. Within the park, a designated nature trail allows visitors to walk from the headquarters through herbal gardens, dry evergreen forests, and striking rock formations, ending at Hin Rang Waterfall, a trek of around three kilometers that takes two hours to complete. Interpretive signs are placed along the trail to provide insights into the flora, fauna, and geology of the region.

 

For visitors, the park offers accommodation facilities including three guesthouses that can host six to ten people each, priced at around 500 baht per night. For those who prefer camping, tents are available for rent, or guests may bring their own, with a small fee of 30 baht per person per night. Entrance fees are set at 20 baht for Thai adults and 10 baht for children, while international visitors are charged 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. For those trekking to the summit, porter services are available at about 15 baht per kilogram, which can be arranged at the headquarters.

 

Access to the park is convenient by both private vehicle and public transport. From Sukhothai town, travelers can follow Highway 101 toward Khiri Mat for 18 kilometers, then take a right turn toward Ban Dan Lan Hoi for 13 kilometers before another right turn leading 4 kilometers to the park office. From Bangkok, the journey follows Highway 32 to Nakhon Sawan, then Highway 1 to Kamphaeng Phet, and finally Highway 101 to Khiri Mat. At kilometer 414, about 20 kilometers before reaching Sukhothai town, the silhouette of Khao Luang comes into view, and a left turn leads directly to the park. For those using public transport, songthaews can be hired from Khiri Mat at a cost of around 350–400 baht per trip.

 

Visitors are advised to prepare adequately before embarking on the climb. The park does not permit ascents after 3:30 p.m. for safety reasons. Those planning to stay overnight on the summit should bring sufficient food supplies, as well as essential gear such as warm clothing, hats, flashlights, medicines, and dried provisions. Given the cool temperatures and the challenging hike, being well-prepared ensures a more rewarding and safe experience.

 

Ramkhamhaeng National Park is much more than a natural retreat; it is a place where history, legend, and ecology converge. It tells the story of Sukhothai’s glorious past through its sacred relics and monuments while offering a sanctuary of biodiversity in its forests and mountains. Visitors who journey here not only encounter sweeping views and refreshing waterfalls but also walk in the footsteps of ancient kings, monks, and travelers whose lives were interwoven with the landscape. It remains one of Thailand’s finest destinations for those seeking a deeper connection with both nature and heritage, a living testament to the enduring spirit of the land and its people.