Pa Sap Nam Nature Study Trail

Rating: 4.5/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Generally daily (recommended for daytime visits; avoid heavy-rain days)

Opening Hours: Recommended 06:00 – 18:00

 

Pa Sap Nam Nature Study Trail (Moo 1, Ban Pa Sak Ngam, Luang Nuea Subdistrict, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai) is a nature spot whose real value to the community goes beyond how pretty it looks in photos. The heart of the area is a “pa sap nam” forest—a water-seeping forest that functions as a natural water source for daily community use. The defining character of this kind of forest is persistent moisture: the ground stays damp almost all the time, and water slowly seeps and springs out in intervals, collecting into marshy pools before gently feeding small streams and creeks that sustain the surrounding landscape.

 

From a traveler’s point of view, this is a walking trail that leads you into a “real forest”—still shady, dense, and alive. You’ll notice the scent of wet soil from your first steps, and the deeper you go, the more obvious it becomes that the forest air feels cooler than the roadside. What makes a water-seeping forest special is that it isn’t about a powerful, fast-flowing river. It’s a forest that “releases water slowly” from the ground, as if the ecosystem is quietly working for the community. The overall experience is calm and cool, full of small natural details you only catch when you let yourself walk slowly.

 

Community accounts say there are 2 water-seeping forest areas, with a forest belt continuing north of the village toward the front of Tham Luang. Locals call part of this zone “Sa” (the pool area), which has long been used for foraging forest foods since earlier times. This section is notably humid, with intermittent springs emerging from the ground, making it both a nature-learning space and a place villagers regard as a true “life resource” for the community.

 

Another dimension that gives this trail meaning is community-based conservation. The forest isn’t treated as merely a tourist site; it is also used for the “forest ordination” ritual (buad pa), a ceremony intended to strengthen awareness and protection of soil, water, forests, and streams. It helps visitors understand something immediately: walking in nature doesn’t end with our enjoyment—it ends with shared responsibility for keeping the forest able to do its work.

 

In the same area, the community also mentions a large limestone cave known locally as Tham Luang / the bat cave. It is home to a large bat population. If you visit, keep it simple and respectful: don’t make loud noise, don’t disturb wildlife, and avoid using harsh, intense lights—because quiet is one of the conditions that allows nature to keep thriving.

 

If you want to make your day trip feel complete, plan a “forest – water – viewpoint” route by pairing the Pa Sap Nam Nature Study Trail with Pa Sak Ngam Waterfall and Mae Kuang Udomthara Dam, which is the major landmark in this zone. It’s best to check weather and trail/road conditions in advance, since heavy rain can make the ground slippery and some sections harder to walk safely.

 

Getting There From Chiang Mai city, there are 2 main options. The first is to take a boat across Mae Kuang Dam (about 30 minutes), then continue into Ban Pa Sak Ngam to reach the nature trail. The second is to drive: the commonly referenced distance is about 90 km, taking around 2 hours, generally along the Chiang Mai – Phrao route before connecting into Luang Nuea and Ban Pa Sak Ngam. It’s best to start in the morning or early afternoon so you have enough time to explore and return before dark.

 

 

A: It is in Moo 1, Ban Pa Sak Ngam, Luang Nuea Subdistrict, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai, and is a community nature area with a highly humid water-seeping forest.

 

A: It refers to a forest that absorbs and stores water in the soil, then gradually releases it as seepage/springs, pools, and small streams—benefiting both the community and the ecosystem.

 

A: Morning to afternoon is recommended because it’s more comfortable and safer for walking. Avoid heavy-rain days because the ground can become slippery and some sections may be harder to navigate.

 

A: Generally yes for visitors who enjoy a relaxed nature walk, but wear shoes with good grip and supervise children closely, especially on damp ground or near water.

 

A: Respect the natural space: keep noise low, do not disturb bats, and avoid harsh lighting so wildlife is not stressed.

 

A: Many travelers pair the trail with Mae Kuang Udomthara Dam, Pa Sak Ngam Waterfall, and Phaendin Whid viewpoint for a “forest – water – viewpoint” day trip.