Mae Rim Day Trip

Mae Rim, just north of Chiang Mai, brings together temples, gardens, waterfalls, mountain viewpoints, cafés, and outdoor activities. The places are spread across the district, so this guide is a collection of ideas rather than a fixed route. Explore whichever places interest you and shape the trip around your own time and transport.

Places around Mae Rim

Around Mae Rim you will find Wat Pa Dara Phirom, Mae Sa Waterfall, Elephant POOPOOPAPER Park, and the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden. The garden’s canopy walkway gives a different view of the surrounding greenery. Other possibilities include Mon Jam, activities around Pong Yaeng, and the Siam Insect Zoo.

The Sticky Waterfalls are farther north and can be a separate outing or part of a longer trip through the area.

Landscapes and activities

The road into the hills passes gardens, cafés, activity venues, and mountain scenery. Some places are easy to visit briefly, while others, such as a waterfall or the botanic garden, can occupy as much of the day as you like. Mon Jam and Pong Yaeng offer still more places to explore higher up.

Mae Rim works equally well for a single destination or a day that combines several different places. Distances between stops vary, especially as the road climbs into the hills.

Food along the way

Mae Rim has roadside coffee shops, farm restaurants, noodle shops, and cafés overlooking the valley. Local khao soi and other Northern Thai dishes are easy to find alongside more familiar café menus.

Getting around

The attractions are spread out rather than clustered in one walkable centre. A car or motorbike makes it easier to move between them, and a local guide or driver is another option. Opening hours vary by venue.