Rating: 4.4/5 (7 votes)

Open Days: Daily (recommended to contact/request permission and reserve accommodation in advance, especially in winter and during festivals)

Opening Hours: Generally 08:30 – 16:30 (hours/conditions may change depending on official announcements and on-the-ground conditions)

 

Kia Forest (Mae Taman) is a mountain escape in Chiang Mai that sea-of-fog lovers keep recommending by word of mouth. From the agency area and rest points around here, you may catch distant views of Doi Luang Chiang Dao alongside morning fog that rolls in layered waves across the forest. What makes this place special isn’t a loud “must-check-in” landmark vibe, but the feeling that you’re entering a real headwater conservation and watershed management area where silence and raw nature still set the rhythm.

 

The word “Kia” is a Northern Thai (Lanna) term meaning “pine.” That’s why people often picture pine forest first whenever they hear about this place. High-altitude pine woodland feels clearly different from humid evergreen forest: the breeze is more open, sunlight slices through in soft shafts, and the air is usually cooler than the lowlands. In late rainy season through winter, moisture in the air brings fog in gentle pulses, and simply being still among the pines can feel surprisingly “worth it” without having to do much at all.

 

Another layer that makes Kia Forest interesting is the sense of “trial plots and living with the mountain.” The area is often described as having flower plots and experimental coffee plots, which hints that this isn’t only about scenery. It’s also about working with real highland conditions. The trip’s meaning shifts from “going up to see fog” to understanding how people and agencies here constantly balance forest health, appropriate land use, and tourism in a way that doesn’t let popularity overwhelm the place.

 

If you plan to stay overnight, it helps to know that this area suits travelers who are comfortable with simplicity. Many recommendations emphasize bringing your own food and essentials because dining options on the mountain are limited, and some stretches don’t lend themselves to easy, carefree stop-and-buy travel like typical road trips. The upside is that once you’re prepared, the experience feels genuinely close to nature, and the early-morning air at altitude delivers a kind of light and freshness you can feel instantly.

 

Getting There Kia Forest (Mae Taman) lies in Chiang Dao District, and the approach includes rough dirt sections, potholes, and steep grades. That’s why people commonly stress that a 4-wheel-drive vehicle (4x4) is needed. Two main self-drive approaches are often mentioned. Route 1 follows Highway 107 (Chiang Mai–Fang), then turns left around kilometer markers roughly 67–68 into the Ban Mae Na area before entering an off-road dirt climb to the Mae Taman watershed management unit. This dirt section is about 21 km and requires extra caution. Route 2 turns left around km 60–61 (Ban Kaeng Pan Tao area, Mae Na Subdistrict) and continues via the Raming tea plantation route toward the unit, roughly 29 km. Overall, plan extra time because average speeds on these roads are much lower than on paved highways, especially in the rainy season when surfaces get slippery and visibility drops.

 

If you don’t have a 4x4 or you’re not confident on mountain roads, a common approach is to park near the entrance around Ban Mae Na and hire a pickup truck to take you up. This can reduce both vehicle risk and travel stress. Whichever option you choose, check your vehicle first (brakes, tires, fuel, lights) and build in buffer time. A place like this isn’t suited to rushing to “make it in time”—it’s better to arrive safely and unpressured.

 

In terms of responsible travel, Kia Forest is best enjoyed lightly: don’t litter, keep noise down, stay within designated areas, and avoid activities that leave tracks on soil or disturb headwater zones. Impacts in watershed areas often travel farther than what you can see. When you travel with respect, the fog you capture tends to look better without effort—and more importantly, the forest keeps enough breathing room for the next visitors to feel the same quiet wonder.

 

 

A: If you want a higher chance of sea-of-fog mornings and cooler weather, late rainy season through winter is usually the best. Always check road conditions and any area management announcements before you go.

 

A: The approach includes long dirt sections, potholes, and steep grades, so a 4x4 is strongly recommended for safety. If you don’t have an appropriate vehicle, many people park at the entrance near Ban Mae Na and hire a pickup truck to go up.

 

A: Bringing your own food and essentials is the safest plan. Pack warm layers, personal medications, a flashlight/emergency light, and allow extra travel time because average speeds on dirt roads are much lower than normal.

 

A: Contact the Watershed Conservation Division, the Mae Taman watershed management unit, or the San Pa Kia Highland Agriculture Research Station (Faculty of Agriculture, CMU) using the numbers listed in the table, and always contact them before traveling.

 

A: Don’t litter, stay within designated areas, keep noise down, and avoid activities that leave tracks on soil or disturb headwater zones. Watershed areas recover slowly, and impacts can spread far downstream.