Guide to Mountain Biking in Chiang Mai and Thailand Mountain biking tours

Mountain Biking Chiang Mai

Whoooah! Picture yourself careering down a rutted fire road at 40kph with hair pin turns and distracting views while you negotiate tricky trails and bounce down a bone jarring track. Welcome to the world of MTB — pure adrenalin rush and 100% action.

Mountain bikes are for mountains baby!

If mountain bikes are made for mountains then Northern Thailand must be their Shangri La, and Chiang Mai the capital of mountain biking in Southeast Asia. If you’re into downhill or cross-country you’ll be stoked to discover that Chiang Mai has a keen setup for mountain biking tours, and an active group of enthusiastic expats.

The city is ideally located for convenient access to ballsy downhill runs, heaps of wicked single track and brilliant riding in general. In fact, there is something for everyone here, from beginners to experts-only technical stuff. Add to this the hospitality and charm of Northern Thailand, favourable weather and cheap facilities and you have an ideal venue for mountain biking.

We at 1stopchiangmai are MTB enthusiasts like yourselves and when we’re not updating this site we’re often out on the trails, getting an adrenalin rush or seeking out new trails. We also play a hand in organising a local group, the Chiang Mai trail riders, mostly ex-pats who get together regularly and love riding.

Mountain bikes go where tours buses can't

The biggest treat in Chiang Mai is undoubtably Doi Pui, a serious mountain near the city. It’s covered in downhill routes that run for 20kms or more and wind down through lush forest and lychee plantations. Usually we get a ride up to the 1700m summit and end up a few hours later at Huay Tung Tao reservoir, buzzing and ready for a dip and some lunch near the base. You’ll also find lots of locals tackling the mountain climb on the asphalt road each evening and it’s a good way to keep yourself in shape for the cross country.

If you’re living here and looking for trails, the easiest to find are behind the 700 year stadium and the trail head begins from the dam up behind the stadium, it’s pretty obvious to follow and should spit you out at Huay Tung Tao resevoir after some brilliant single track and occassional hectic technical bits.

Southwest of the city, beyond Wat Doi Kam (across the Samoeng road), is a good network of farm roads and former hunting trails to explore and similar stuff can be found in the Mae Rim area near the Prem Centre international school. But the best single track in the Ping valley is behind Mae Jo University starting from the forestry educational centre near the Doi Thaen lake. These are almost copy-book trails as they weave through the forest and throw up some nice technical stuff, yet suitable for all. We can’t tell you exactly where they are, you’ll have to come riding with the group or join a tour!

Welcome to the jungle

There are several ways to get in on the action. If you are just passing through you can get your kicks with some great day trips organised by Mountain Biking Chiang Mai. Run by Ken and Aidan, two experts from the US, this popular company run daily trips down Doi Pui. With more than ten trips to choose from, including a few easier options for the timid, they know the downhill routes here better than anyone. They supply decent full-suspension bikes, complete safety gear including body armour and pads, and make your safety and enjoyment a priority.

If this all sounds a little exhausting or dangerous to you there is the option of Clickandtravel, which runs cycle tours cultural influence under the knowledgeable guidance of Dutchman Etienne. Typically they meander through the flat suburbs of Chiang Mai visiting historic and cultural sites at a sedate pace.

Active Thailand is another option if you are looking for a multi-day trip with some mountain trekking thrown in, or the unique experience of riding to and staying in hill-tribe villages. Alex from Switzerland has an unparelleled knowledge of the Northern Thailand trekking trails and has been organising tours for several years.

Only the brave tackle Northern Thailand by bike

For the mother of all tours, Spice Roads run a very professional outfit out of Bangkok with week-long tours across the region, including Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. But their Northern Thailand tour is probably the most appealing to mountain bikers with its excellent blend of single trails, mountain riding, cultural elements, hill trekking and first class accommodation. If you’ve got the money to spoil yourselfs these guys offer the complete experience.

While up in Chiang Rai, there is also the option of Thailand Mountain Biking Adventures, run by Canadian Jeff Carr, who organise all-inclusive excursions that include the flight up from Bangkok. Chiang Rai is a mountainous province, like Chiang Mai, with the added fascination of a concentration of hill tribe villages.

Finally, we shouldn’t forget to mention our special friends Red Bicycle who operate out of Samui and specialise in providing elite bikes, such as Canondales and Santa Cruz. Samui has some pretty wicked mountain riding too, but insist on being taken on the brilliant single track through the coconut plantations. Owner Mike is as laid back and friendly as they come and his wife Debra makes sure you get to ride a serious bike before you go home.

Wicked single track for the serious

If you need to hire a bicycle, I wouldn’t recommend any of the bikes available from the usual crowd in the centre of the city — these are only good for a casual ride around the city, but Velocity bike shop, near the Novotal Hotel and Rim Ping Supermarket in Chang Puak rent decent bikes.

Where to kit yourself out

Velocity (beneath the Novotel hotel, out of town) rents out decent quality, well maintained mountain bikes cheaply. They also have a selection of Giant mountain (and road) bikes for sale, supported by accessories. Tam, the owner speaks English but isn’t always there.

Jackie Cycles (just off the northern flank of the moat, 100m on the left down the Mae Rim road - signage in Thai only) has the best selection of accessories in town, and stocks Gary Fischer and Klein. He doesn’t speak English but gives good discounts.

Top Gear (Chiang Moi road, parallel to Tapae road) is centrally located and sells high-end gear, such as GPSs, as well as good value Merida bikes. Canadian Tom Matty, the owner, also has arguably the best advice, knowledge and tools in town.

Chaithawat Cycles (conveniently located in the old town on the southern end of Prapaklao road) also offers great value on accessories, as well as Challenger bikes and better known brands.

Cherry Bikes (out of town on the Chiang Rai road) is tricky to find and don’t carry a huge selection of bikes but have some interesting imported accessories.

You can read more about mountain biking in northern Thailand in our “A mountain to Climb - across Northern Thailand by bike” article here.