Ride Story

30 Mins

Epic Ride to Mok Fa Waterfall

Mae Taeng | Chiang Mai Province | Rainy Season | 175 KM Loop

A ride to the Soppoeng area of Chiang Mai in Mae Taeng District, where Mok Fa Waterfall lies. A fantastic ride through scenic farming zones, with mixed terrain, soft dirt sections, and secret viewpoints.

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Most of this route is paved with concrete, with single-track sections, broken concrete and occasional gravelly, craggy and mossy areas.

Outbound Ride – 64 KM

The Route – Lush Northern Jungle

I started off on the main R107 highway route, which is a fairly standard Thailand main route. My aim was to get off this section as much as possible and into the smaller B routes, which give more of a taste of local Thai life.

After a few km on these back routes, a stunning single tracked opened up into glorious twisty farming routes, forestry areas and mountain views!

The road began to wind through the sleepy farmland, I took plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views.

There are moments where the road dips into shady forest patches or runs alongside quiet farming areas, where the scent of moist earth and foliage fills the air. This isn’t an aggressive off-road trail – but it’s far from sterile.

As I rode along, the lush green landscape began to change slightly as I approached a small rural Thai village zone.

One of the things I always need to be mindful of in these back zones, especially if riding during or after the Rainy Season, is the presence of mossy concrete and wet leaves, particularly in shaded areas under dense tree cover.

These slick sections can be surprisingly hazardous, even on low-speed stretches.

Rest Stop – Temple & Coffee

This temple is one of those stunning hidden temples that foreign visitors rarely see. I have been enjoying how it has progressed over the years and certainly, the architecture is breathtaking. The entranceway alone has taken well over 10 years to complete.

The temple is locally renowned for housing the Four Buddha Footprints, a revered site that attracts pilgrims and travellers seeking tranquillity and reflection.

Inside the temple grounds, opposite the temple’s entrance, there’s a pretty coffee shop that offers a selection of beverages and light snacks. It’s an ideal spot to grab a cool drink, relax, and soak in the peaceful surroundings before continuing your journey. I took a moment enjoy a coffee, rest and reflect.

After a walk around the temple grounds, I got back on my bike and set off again.

Eventually, the road led me down a steep single track and to the stunning Mok Fa Waterfall.

Rest Stop – Mok Fa Waterfall

I parked up at Mok Fa falls, purchased a ticket and took a quick refreshing dip in the waterfall. I was lucky to have the place to myself.

Rest Stop – Pankled Coffee

Mok Fa Waterfall doesn’t have much in the way of food stalls or restaurant options on-site, but luckily, Pankled Coffee is just around the corner. This little food gem is tucked inside a lush garden setting and offers a decent amount of affordable food options.

It’s not just the food or proximity to Mok Fa that draws people into this cafe. The peaceful ambience, greenery, farm animals, and wandering peacocks make it a memorable stop. It’s a firm staple for me when I ride in this area.

Belly full, I set off for the inbound ride, but on the return leg I wanted to try find a back dirt route area I had ridden many years before. I wondered if it had been paved or if it was still dirt.

Inbound Ride – 111 KM

The Route – Rural Back Zones

After leaving Pankled Coffee, I headed north up trying to spot where the turning was for the route I wanted to take. There are a few variations up this way and for the life of me I just couldn’t remember which one it was that I was looking to ride again. Instead, I decided to just pick any, to see where it would take me.

It turned out to be a very interesting route, cutting through small rural village areas and quiet single track.

I met close to no other vehicles on the route, but was met with a few friendly smiles from locals pottering about in their gardens or talking with friends. The village spots soon turned into farming areas again. I parked up to soak in the views.

Continuing along the farming zones, I enjoyed the stunning scenery all around me.

I had to watch out for some low branches and wandering wildlife.

In the rainy season, moss and wet leaves in these shaded parts can get slick, so I was mindful of that.

It felt like I was riding tucked away from the world. Like discovering a secret path in life. What makes this route truly special is the tranquil atmosphere with very little traffic. As I rode along, sections began to feel familiar as I began to link up to areas I know well.

Rest Stop – Hidden Temple

Realising I was close to a stunning hidden temple I once found whilst exploring, I decided to make a quick stop in, to see how it was looking.

Some years back, I put this stunning temple on the map, so to speak. It is so hidden away and unknown even to locals, given that it is a Vietnamese temple with funding from Vietnam. I had been out riding in the areas, checking nooks and crannies, and couldn’t believe it when I happened upon this temple, which at the time was in disrepair. It has since seen more of a revival.

The temple was established in 2005 by a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, and spans approximately 7 hectares. Dotted all around are solar panel lights and speakers, and many of the lights are unique and interesting ways (such as cherry blossom flowers and lotus leaves within the water).

The architecture is a harmonious blend of traditional Vietnamese and Thai styles, featuring elegant pagodas, serene Buddha statues, and landscaped gardens.