The Best Motorbike Trips from Chiang Mai: Top 10 Routes
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Chiang Mai is popular with travelers for many reasons, chief among them its welcoming population and slower pace of life – at least compared to a sprawling metropolis like Bangkok. This laid-back city in northern Thailand is a longtime backpacker and expat favorite, persuading travelers to slow down and stay a while since long before “digital nomading” was a thing.
I’ve spent quite a lot of time there over the years, and I’m the first to admit that Chiang Mai has its flaws. However, its location in the green, mountainous north of Thailand is simply not one of them. It’s one of the main reasons I keep coming back.
And in my opinion, the best way to explore this part of the country is by motorbike. There are countless waterfalls, small towns, remote temples, and beautiful landscapes to discover – I’m convinced I could spend a lifetime of dry seasons here and never get bored.
If you’re planning to stay medium- to long-term in Thailand’s “rose of the north,” exploring some of the gorgeous motorbike trips from Chiang Mai is a must-do. Whether you’re looking to escape the city for a day, weekend, or longer, you have plenty of incredible options. Below are my top picks!
Buying or renting a motorbike in Chiang Mai
You’ll see motorbike rental shops all over town, but be aware that some are more reputable than others. Also note that Thailand has very strict defamation laws, so you’ll sometimes have to read between the lines a little when it comes to online reviews.
Steer clear of any place that requires you to leave your passport with them, and test drive your rental before signing any paperwork.
You should also thoroughly document any scratches or dents on your bike before heading off.
I have rented from Mango Bikes several times and had good experiences. They offer daily, weekly, and monthly rentals, and they require a reasonable cash deposit and a copy of your passport.
Chloe Motorbike Rentals, Zippy Motorbike Rentals, and Vanessa’s Motorbike Hire also have good reputations.
Since Chiang Mai is such a popular base for digital nomads, people leave and sell their motorbikes fairly frequently. I ended up buying a bike secondhand from someone on Facebook marketplace, and I was able to resell it when I left for the same price I paid (which was only about 300 USD). Although I had to spend a bit of money on maintenance and repairs throughout the year, it still saved me a significant amount of money compared with renting. (I also took comfort in knowing that if I drove it off a cliff, I’d only be out $300.)
Safety and preparation for your ride
Make sure you’re heading out with a full tank of gas and plenty of air in your tires. Check the weather and try to avoid steep, winding routes if there are downpours in the forecast.
Also keep in mind that unless you’ve gone through the process of getting a Thai motorbike license, you are technically driving illegally. The rental shops absolutely do not care, but your travel insurance likely will. Check your policy to see if you’re covered in the event of an accident. You also may get stopped at one of the various police checkpoints around the city and “fined.”
Finally – do not rely on whatever beach bucket helmet comes with your scooter rental. Anyone who has spent time riding in Thailand can tell you that accidents are common, and close calls even more so. Go to a store and shell out for a proper full-face helmet. Helmet Shop Chiang Mai on Sridonchai Road has a good reputation. (The owner was very kind and patient with me as I agonized over which helmet to buy for over an hour.)
I also usually drive in long pants and long sleeves. Plenty of people don’t, but we’ve all seen those backpackers wrapped up like mummies after taking a spill. (And everyone takes a spill at some point.) I’ve seen destroyed bikes and people lying on the highway who I think probably didn’t make it.
I absolutely love the freedom and beauty of driving through the Thai countryside. You can’t beat it; it’s one of my favorite things on this Earth. But you really do have to be careful.
Best single-day motorbike trips from Chiang Mai
Whew! On to the fun part. There are incredible temples, waterfalls, and views within a few hours’ drive of Chiang Mai that can easily be done as day trips.
Visit the Floating Pagodas in Lampang.
In my humble opinion, the most amazing single-day motorbike trip from Chiang Mai is the drive to Wat Chalermprakiat, also known as the Temple of the Floating Pagodas.
The drive itself takes you through beautiful mountain scenery with forest temples and a few gorgeous lookouts. Once you get into Lampang province, you’ll head past rice fields and through small towns.
The temple itself is located on the top of a limestone karst. It’s a bit of a climb, but the views are incredible and well worth the effort.
Explore a Royal Project farming community in Mon Cham.
Mon Cham is a hillside farming community that is part of the Thai Royal Project. There is a small restaurant on the mountain with panoramic views, and you can wander around the nearby vegetable gardens.
For me, though, the drive itself was the main attraction.
If you continue west along route 4051 from Mon Cham, you’ll find yourself meandering through small villages with beautiful views on a nice day. (Slow down, these really are tiny communities.)
I love to just keep driving and see what I find. Quiet temples, campgrounds, hot springs? In this particular case it was a road closure, but not before I got in a solid 30 minutes of winding through green farmland in the warm October sunshine.
Go for a swim at the gorgeous Mok Fa waterfall.
There is no shortage of beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, but Mok Fa (sometimes spelled Mork Fa) is definitely one of the most picturesque.
It’s located about an hour away from Chiang Mai on the road to Pai, which means it could easily be combined with one of the multiday trips listed below.
Ride around the Samoeng Loop.
Another awesome day trip is the Samoeng loop, which takes you around the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park and through the Mae Sa Valley. (The turnoff to Mon Cham is actually along this route, so you could easily add this to your trip.)
The drive itself takes about 3-4 hours, but you’ll likely want to make several stops along the way. You can visit the Mae Sa waterfall, which is actually a series of falls where it’s easy to find a quiet spot to yourself.
There are also several gorgeous lookouts with amazing views on clear days, and a few lovely spots for lunch amidst the rice fields.
Best overnight or 3-day motorbike trips from Chiang Mai
With a little more time, spend a night or two in one of northern Thailand’s beautiful small towns.
Escape to Chiang Dao for the weekend.
Just a few hours north of Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao makes for a perfect overnight or weekend trip away. There are many unique and beautiful guesthouses at the foot of Doi Luang Chiang Dao, the third-highest mountain in Thailand. (You can climb this peak, but only during the winter hiking season, and only if you are very fast when online reservations open in October.)
Although the drive north from Chiang Mai is not particularly scenic, the area around Chiang Dao is perfect for exploring. Check out the beautiful Chiang Dao temple, explore Chiang Dao cave, or just take a drive along route 3024 to take in the spectacular views.
Stay in a unique guesthouse near the Sticky Waterfalls.
The Bua Tong waterfalls (sticky waterfalls) get their name from the grippy limestone rock that allows visitors to easily climb up and down without slipping. The falls are great fun on a hot day (which is most days in Thailand).
Many visitors come for a few hours and head back to Chiang Mai, and the Bua Tong falls are certainly close enough to be done as a day trip. But you’ve driven all the way here, and there are some very cool accommodation options nearby! You can reserve a cabin on the Mae Ngat Dam or stay in one of the amazing treehouses just 25 minutes from the falls.
To add a day or two to your adventure, you could continue to Chiang Dao the following day. Take Route 1001 through Sri Lanna National Park, and then turn left (west) on the absolutely spectacular Route 1150. (This will be a lot slower than taking the 107, but far more pleasant.)
I wrote about this route (plus the houseboats and treehouses!) in a separate post here.
Embrace (or discover) your woo-woo side in Pai.
Pai is a few hours’ drive from Chiang Mai on a notoriously curvy road. If you don’t have the time or desire to drive the full Mae Hong Son Loop, Pai is a worthy destination in itself. It’s a great base from which to enjoy hot springs, waterfalls, and hikes in nature. It also has an amazing variety of delicious food for such a small town!
It’s certainly not the tranquil, off-the-beaten-path haven it once was, and prices have risen accordingly. That said, the spiritual, bohemian scene remains. If you’re looking for a cacao ceremony, you’ll definitely be able to find one.
Manage your expectations, appreciate it for what it is, and enjoy the people-watching!
Visit the famous temples of Chiang Rai.
Chiang Rai is a charming city about four hours northeast of Chiang Mai, near the borders of Laos and Myanmar. You can easily visit as a 2-3 day trip from Chiang Mai. If you’re going to drive yourself there, though, I highly recommend including Chiang Rai as part of the Mae Salong Loop outlined below. (The out-and-back route along Route 118 is not as scenic as the trip through Fang and Tha Ton, though still nice.)
Chiang Rai itself is quiet and laid-back. There are plenty of lovely coffee shops and restaurants to check out, and its main sights will keep you busy for at least a day or two.
Chiang Rai’s most famous attractions include two incredible temples and a unique art museum. The museum, Baan Dam (or Black House), is actually a group of buildings designed by the famous Thai painter, sculptor, and architect Thawan Duchanee. In contrast to the rather dark nature of the art, the large grounds of the museum are quiet and peaceful.
Wat Rong Suea Ten, also known as the Blue Temple, is just north of the Kok River, not far from the town center.
Wat Rong Khun, the famous White Temple, is located south of Chiang Rai on the route back to Chiang Mai.
Best loops for 4+ days
If you have a bit more time on your hands and want to really experience the rural beauty of northern Thailand, there are a number of longer trips to choose from. In my opinion, the two best circuits from Chiang Mai are the Mae Salong Loop and the Mae Hong Son Loop.
Drive through incredible scenery on the Mae Salong Loop.
This is my absolute favorite motorbike route through northern Thailand. The loop takes you through incredible mountain scenery, tea plantations, rice fields, and vegetable farms. You have the opportunity to visit gorgeous temples in Tha Ton and Chiang Rai, and you’ll get to experience a bit of Chinese culture in Mae Salong.
Read my full post on the Mae Salong Loop for details.
Explore the Mae Hong Son Loop, the most famous motorbike trip from Chiang Mai.
The Mae Hong Son Loop is a classic northern Thailand motorbike trip, and for good reason. The route takes you southwest from Chiang Mai to Mae Sariang, north to Mae Hong Son, east to Pai, and then back to Chiang Mai.
The scenery is spectacular, and there are tons of interesting side trips to take along the way. It can be done in four days, but I recommend stretching it out for up to a week if you have the time!
You can read more about this route in my guide to the Mae Hong Son Loop.
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More on traveling in Thailand
The best of Thailand in 3 weeks: My itinerary suggestions
Northern Thailand:
A guide to the Mae Hong Son Loop: Thailand’s most famous road trip
Mae Salong and Chiang Rai: A 4-day circuit from Chiang Mai
Sticky Waterfalls and Chiang Dao: A 3-day loop from Chiang Mai
Why is Chiang Mai so popular with long-term travelers and remote workers?
Southern Thailand:
All about the floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park
