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ContentsWhat to do
Background/Topography/ClimatePhu Kradeung National Park is situated in Si Than Sub-District, Phu Kradeung District, Loei Province. The mountain was declared a National Park on November 23rd, 1962, which makes it the second National Park of Thailand. It covers an area of 348 km² with 60 km² of plateau of the top of the mountain. The elevation of Phu Kradeung is between 400-1200 meters with the summit point of 1316m at Khok Moei. In general, Phu Kradeung consists of sandstone and boasts an abundance of flora and fauna and numerous cliffs, savannas, streams and waterfalls. Phu Kradeung also is the watershed of Lam Nam Phong River, which is one of the most important rivers in Northeastern Thailand. Due to its high elevation and climatic conditions, the weather on Phu Kradeung is cool all year round. In winter, the temperatures may drop to the freezing point. Thai people are fascinated by this, so Phu Kradeung is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand. In fact, every Thai should conquer Phu Kradeung at least once in his life. At the Park Headquarters
Equipment RentalThere are three important things to do at the Headquarters. First,
you can rent your equipment here, such as tent, sleeping bag, sleeping
mat and pillow. But don't worry, you don't have to pick up all that
stuff here, instead you only pay here and receive a booking confirmation
and pick up the equipment at the Visitor Center on the top of the
mountain. You can also book small houses here if you don't like
camping. Porter Service
Entrance FeeThe last step, and the most unpopular, is the entrance fee, which you pay on exiting the grounds of the Park Headquarters. The entrance fee policy is, as usual in Thailand, a bit discriminating against foreign visitors: Thai people pay 20 baht, foreigners pay 200 baht. The Trail to the Mountain
The first 1000 meters after the Park Headquarters are quite steep, climbing 250 meters. After reaching Sam Haek, the trail gets easier. 700 meters are almost flat before it gets steeper again. But still, the following 2400 meters are not that hard. Some segments of the trail are several meters wide and constructed like a staircase, others get steep and narrow. The final 1300 meters are the hardest part. The trails gets very steep again, some inclines are covered by stairs made from steel which are very steep. But in order to put it into perspective: if a 60-kg-guy carrying 75 kgs on his shoulders can manage to climb this path, then why shouldn't you be able to do the same without all the weight? After reaching the top, most visitors stop to take photos, since a photo with the sign greeting the proud conqueror of the mountain makes a pretty good souvenir. From this point on, the path to the Visitor Center is almost flat, with just minor changes in elevation. A true relief after the steep trail on the way up. The landscape changes from forest to savannah with only scattered trees. What to seeWaterfallsFlora & FaunaCheck my Album How to get thereBy carFollow Highway No. 1 out of Bangkok. Change to Highway No. 2 near Saraburi, then turn left to road no. 201 in Pak Chong District. Follow the road through Chaiyaphum, turn left in Chumpae to road no. 12 and the right again onto road no. 201 in Phu Pha Man district. Turn left into road no. 2019 in Pha Nok Khao district to reach the park. The distance from Bangkok is roughly 470 km. By busThe the Bangkok-Loei bus at the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mor
Chit 2) and get off at Pha Nok Khao or Phu Kradeung Bus Terminal.
Then take the local bus (Songthaew) to the park. By trainGet on the train at Bangkok's Hualumphong Railway Station and travel
to Khon Kaen. In Khon Kaen, take the bus to Loei and get off at
Pha Nok Khao or Phu Kradeung Bus Terminal. Then take the local bus
(Songthaew) to the park. By airThere are daily flights from Bangkok to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani, which are both not too far from Phu Kradeung. From your destination, you can travel to Phu Kradeung by bus or by rental car. AVIS has car rental stations in both Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. Links
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(c) Carsten Müller - Contact me | |
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At
the Park Headquarters, which is located at the foot of the mountain,
you can buy everything you need for the trail. There are several
restaurants which sell warm food, but also snacks and drinks. You
can also buy hats and scarfs made from wool, which may be necessary
for cold nights in winter, but actually they are also a nice souvenir.
The
second important thing is the porter service. Yes, porter. Like
a sherpa in Nepal, these superhumans carry your bags for you for
only 10 baht per kilogram. That's why you will see many Thai people
at the camp who seem to have brought their complete household with
them. These guys not only carry your bags, but also the supplies
for the restaurants on the top of the mountain. You will even see
porters carrying heavy gas flasks. Some porters carry up to 75 kg
all the way up, you will even see women doing this hard work.
