Rating: 4.2/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Daily (recommended to call ahead / make an appointment before visiting)

Opening Hours: Generally 08.30–16.30 (may vary depending on on-site operations)

 

Mae Lod Royal Project Research Station is a quiet corner of Chiang Mai for people who want a getaway that comes with real learning, not just a quick drive up the hills for a photo and back. The essence here isn’t a staged garden made purely for strolling; it’s a working Royal Project site that connects local livelihoods with research, trials, and hands-on occupational support—especially arabica coffee research, which is essentially the station’s lifeblood based on the information you provided.

 

The station was established in 1984 (B.E. 2527) on an area of about 60 rai. Its core purpose is to help improve the quality of life for people in the area by promoting economic crops suited to the geography and climate of the Mae Taeng–Sop Poeng zone. What gives Mae Lod its clear identity is its focus on research into 28 hybrid arabica coffee lines, alongside companion crops such as cardamom and black pepper grown together within coffee plots (to diversify the system, create multiple income streams, and reduce the risk of relying on a single crop).

 

If you’re into coffee, this place makes the term “arabica” go beyond taste and into the true upstream process—from seedling propagation and plot care to choosing suitable lines for the landscape and climate, all the way to harvesting coffee cherries and beans. The whole approach aligns with the larger picture of Royal Project work and earlier coordination on arabica coffee support that you mentioned (including cooperation dating back to 1974), which gives Mae Lod’s coffee story layers of time and intention—not simply “plant and sell.”

 

In terms of location, Mae Lod Royal Project Research Station is in Ban Mae Lod Nuea, Moo 10, Sop Poeng Subdistrict, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai. The elevation is around 680 meters above sea level, and the station supports development work across thousands of rai within the context of highland communities. Available information is consistent that the station’s operational area involves several villages within Sop Poeng. Naturally, this zone sits at the meeting point of mountains, headwater forests, and agricultural land, so visiting often feels calmer and more unhurried than being in the city.

 

Agritourism-style activities here tend to be especially satisfying for people who enjoy details. It’s not only about coffee plots, but also the bigger picture of integrated farming that you can explore scene by scene—demonstration plots of multiple arabica lines, learning points for seedling propagation and harvesting, and the companion crops grown alongside coffee, such as black pepper and cardamom. It helps you see that “companion crops” aren’t just extras; they’re part of a livelihood design that helps communities stand on their own feet.

 

There are also herb plots that shift the mood from “coffee aroma” to “green-leaf fragrance,” including USA mint, oregano, and jing joo chai. You’ll also find seasonal demonstration vegetables such as zucchini, spiny cucumber, and super hot chili. Overall, you get to see a diversity of crops selected to fit highland conditions and community management—more revealing than only seeing produce at the market endpoint.

 

If you prefer a more “nature” mode than a “trial plot” mode, the surrounding area offers plenty, especially winter birdwatching. Migratory birds are often observed in the station’s greener pockets, making it ideal for slow walking with a camera or binoculars, trading notification sounds for forest sounds.

 

Another highlight people commonly link into the same trip is Mok Fa Waterfall, a well-known tall waterfall in the Mae Taeng area. Water flows year-round during many periods, and it’s often recommended that the walk from the parking area isn’t very far (roughly a few hundred meters in many travel notes). Mok Fa’s beauty isn’t just its height; it’s the misty spray that hangs in the air like a thin veil, perfect on hot days or when you want your head to feel clear again.

 

If you want a short nature study walk, routes in this zone often connect with headwater forest landscapes. There are points people talk about, including a bat cave and various local tree species (as you noted). The key is to walk without rushing, wear shoes with good grip, and avoid days of heavy rain because paths can be slippery and water levels can change quickly.

 

On the cultural and community side, Mae Lod sits within a context of both local residents and Karen hill-tribe communities. If you happen to encounter community activities, you may see a way of life still moving to the rhythm of household work, farming, and merit-making—such as rice pounding, “Teh Na” music, the new-rice ritual, or textile crafts like woven fabric and shoulder bags. The most important thing is to visit respectfully: don’t rush, don’t stare, don’t take intrusive photos, and if you’d like to support the community, purchasing woven crafts or seasonal produce is the most direct, meaningful way.

 

For accommodation, the station has 2 guesthouses that can host around 20 people per house, plus a camping area (it often suits group visits, and reservations should be arranged in advance). For food, the station does not have an on-site restaurant, but meals can be pre-ordered before staying, or you can use restaurants before reaching the station for convenience.

 

Getting There From Chiang Mai city, the distance is about 57 km. Take Highway 107 (Chiang Mai–Fang) to the Mae Malai Market junction, then turn left onto Highway 1095 (Mae Malai–Pai Road) and continue for about 18 km. Turn left at the Mok Fa Waterfall entrance and go on for about 3 km to reach the station. The route is accessible for all types of cars, and if you prefer not to drive, you can use hired transport services around the Mae Malai area as you mentioned.

 

Before you wrap up the trip, here’s a simple thought: if you come to Mae Lod wanting only to “rest,” you’ll definitely rest. But if you come wanting to “understand” as well, you’ll start to see how hard a place can work to help people live with the mountains without harming them—and how one cup of coffee can carry a story that’s bigger than its aroma.

 

 

A: It’s ideal for travelers who want a learning-focused trip, enjoy arabica coffee, like walking through demonstration plots, and want a quiet nature-oriented break rather than loud, high-energy activities.

 

A: Yes, if you plan to explore the plots and add Mok Fa Waterfall. If you want a slower pace or early-morning mist and stargazing vibes, staying overnight is better (arrange accommodation in advance).

 

A: The station does not have an on-site restaurant, but you can pre-order meals before your stay, or eat at restaurants before reaching the station for convenience.

 

A: Its strength is the research-and-livelihood support dimension behind arabica coffee, plus integrated farming through companion crops, so you see the system and thinking—not just a single-crop plot.

 

A: The main route is via Hwy 107 and Hwy 1095, then about 3 km from the Mok Fa entrance. It is generally accessible for all vehicle types, but drive carefully in the rainy season.

 

A: Mae Lod Royal Project Research Station: 053-318-303, 089-555-7030, 081-961-0014. If you’re also visiting Mok Fa Waterfall, you can call 053-210-244 for commonly referenced contact information.