Hang Nak Mountain Tour

Hang Nak is a mountain park – a national park in Krabi province, Thailand that is near Ao Nang beach where all the tourists go.

If you want to go for a couple hour hike up a mountain trail and see amazing views from 500 vertical meters (1,500+ feet) you should climb this mountain!

The trail is well-marked and it’s not easy to get lost. At the finish is the most amazing view maybe you’ve ever seen in your life. Krabi has a lot of things to do and this is one of the best if you’re looking for some physical activity and climbing without putting your life at risk.

The mountain stream that runs down the length of the mountain, forming a waterfall at one point, passes by the start of the trail here at the bottom of the mountain near the parking area. Thai children are often found swimming here on hot days as the water is clean and quite cool.

At the base of the trail is a nice map. The trail up the mountain is 3.7 km long and at it’s peak reaches 500 meters above sea level. There are a few scenic view points and a waterfall along the way, so if you don’t make it to the top at least you’ll have taken in some incredible views.

The path is well worn and easy to follow. It’s quite warm most days after noon so I’d suggest you go around 9 a.m. You won’t likely see too many hikers in the morning, but around lunchtime you might see ten or more as this becomes a more popular trail among those looking to explore some of the lesser known attractions in Krabi, Thailand.

The first viewpoint at 2.5 km offers a glimpse of the ocean and some limestone formations in the waters of Tubkaak Bay. Tubkaak has sea kayaking and is an excellent day trip away from the crowds doing the same thing in and around the more crowded Ao Nang and Railay Beaches.

The path continues upward until at 2.8 km it splits at the sign for the waterfall. The waterfall is a no-go in my opinion. You’re probably going to be tired by the time you reach this sign. It’s a strenuous trek. The waterfall consists of a drop of water over some rocks… and that during the height of the rainy season! If you insist on going it’s only another 200m or so to get there. Be careful to return on the same path from the waterfall that you took to get there as a couple from the UK got lost going the other way last time.

As one gets closer to the top of the mountain there is more variety of plant-life like these yellow bulbs that I’ve never seen before. I saw some ferns that I remembered from Oahu, Hawaii ridge hikes called “Uhule” ferns, they are rough and scrape your legs as you walk by.

I also saw some fly-eating plants that I took videos of. They were 4-inch vertical tubes growing on vines close to the ground. They had some sticky juice in the bottom that kept the insects from flying away once they landed in it. There were probably hundreds of plants and flowers I missed because of my focus and excitement to be close to the top.

Don’t worry about snakes – I’ve looked hard and not found many. There are water monitors that will tear through the woods – running away from you as you get close. Once I surprised a big eagle near the top too.

Once you are within the last hundred meters of the peak there are many open areas to take in the views. This was one looking northeast in the direction of the Surat Thani province. The Hang Nak Mountain peak is clearly visible from most areas in Krabi, and even as far as Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi Town.

The final thirty meters or so will take you longer than you might think. One can’t help stop at all the little places that open up to wide open views of limestone mountains and views of Thalen Bay. The last few meters are rocky and not really a path at all, you just find your own way up to the top.

The summit gives a clear view of Ao Nang and Noppharat Thara Beaches to the south. Whichever way you turn there are breathtaking views from this 500 meter-high peak. The day I did this hike the air was not all that clear but still I could see the whole way to Krabi town, Thalen Bay, and all of the beach areas.

Hang Nak Mountain Trail in Tubkaak Beach, Krabi province is a must-do hike that most of the family can take part in. It’s challenging if you’re going to go quickly up the hill, but if you pace yourself and bring a couple liters of water for each person and some fruit (rambutans are amazing) you’ll probably make it and be very glad you did!

Copyright ©2009 Vern Lovic, ThaiPulse.com. Publishing rights have been sold to other travel-related websites. This is the original article.