Into the green: Trekking on Koh Phangan

There are two primary reasons why travelers choose Koh Phangan over other islands in the Thailand archipelago:

-         Moon Parties

-         Untouched nature

The first one is pretty easy to track, just follow the Moon phases and our website and you won’t miss a party!

The second one takes a bit more time and is a true jewel of the island. Truth is that you can still find wild forests and lonely beaches on smaller islands, but Phangan has it all – the mountains, the sunset, shallow and deep waters, new roads through the jungle, lush forest and paths to follow. So when you wake up thinking that you could skip sun and sand for today, this is what the green island heart has to offer.

Khao Ra

Central and by far the most famous trekking road in Koh Phangan. Path is a bit steep and takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the 630m high top, but the reward is glorious – on a clear day, the view spreads across Chaloklum, Thong Nai Pan and neighboring Koh Tao and Koh Samui and sometimes even the mainland!

How to get there: Following the main road to Chaloklum, find a right turn marked with the ‘Khao Ra Bungalows’ sign. Once you are on this path, follow the next left until you stumble upon a bridge, which is a clear sign that you are on the right way.

Bottle Beach Trek

On a more adventurous day warm up and head to the Bottle beach. Expect to get tired as it will take you 2 hours and 4 kilometers one way. Good news is that if you don’t feel like walking back, there is a taxi boat that can take you to Chaloklum. The beach itself is named by the only path leading to it, marked by empty bottles. This means that it is never crowded and holding the title of one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan – powder sand and aquamarine water, surrounded by the jungle and all of its singing creatures. If you start your trekking early in the morning, you will get plenty of time to take rest and refresh in the sea before heading back (which you need to do far before the sunset!)

How to get there: Despite the longer path, Bottle beach route is not a hard one. It also starts around Chaloklum – follow the dirt road that leads you uphill from the western side of the beach.

Haad Yuan trek

The road to the hidden beach settled on the Southeast coast has it all – serious climbing, stunning views, relaxing paths and amazing jungle vibe that awaits once you reach the destination. Many agree that this trek is the most beautiful, though at times the toughest one on the island. You shall start around famous Haad Rin, where the Full Moon Party takes place. Expect a lot of sweating as the beginning of the trek is very steep and humidity as high as the rainforest enjoys it (meaning wet!), so don’t forget water and decent shoes that won’t spread your ankles. But don’t get scared – your way back will be a lot easier. And if you are not in a mood for more walking, relax, enjoy the dusk painting the sky and sea and find a taxi boat which will take you back to Haad Rin.

How to get there: Make sure you are in the northern part of Haad Rin. It will be a little difficult to find the beginning of the trek, so don’t hesitate to ask the locals, they will know. And the good thing is that this is the hardest part. Once you find the road, it will be very difficult to get lost. It will take you around two hours to reach Haad Yuan and a bit more if you decide to continue North, towards Haad Tien.

Whichever you choose, there are three simple rules to follow: use the mosquito repellant, stay hydrated, bring snacks in case of energy emergency and start early so you avoid the dark.