An off-road ride to a stunning Wat Luang Khun Win in the Thai forest jungle.
Table of Contents
Off-Road Route to Wat Luang Khun Win
Approx 43km from Samoeng Village (Google Map)
You can also download a .klm map from HERE
From Chiang Mai, head to Samoeng village. (It’s Best to fuel up at a gas station in Samoeng village. If the petrol station is closed, there is a 24-hour self-service pump.) Then, from Samoeng village, head to the main bridge. Cross over and follow the track to this junction.
Head straight up the track and turn left.
After this point, the route is fairly obvious. Keep going straight forward through the dirt tracks and village
Video of Route Condition
Video of the terrain condition.
(During Hot Season, when the route is fairly dry and dusty).
Eventually, you will notice a distinct left turn, indicating the temple road. There should also be a sign for Wat Luang Mae Win (but facing the opposite side of the road).
After a short ride down, you will arrive at the entrance of Wat Luang Khun Win
Wat Luang Khun Win Hidden Temple
Wat Luang Khun Win is a historic temple believed to date back to the Lanna Kingdom era. The temple is intricately carved from Teak wood.
*Note* – The temple is occupied by female monks. It is a quiet meditation retreat and although visitors are permitted, rules about dressing respectfully and being quiet should be followed.
Key Features
- Buddha Statue: The temple features a striking, hand-carved Buddha statue made from teak wood, showcasing intricate craftsmanship.
- Natural Setting: Surrounded by dense forests and mountain views, the temple offers a refreshing and meditative environment.
- Traditional Architecture: The wooden structures blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings, highlighting Northern Thai design influences.
Video of Wat Khun Win Temple Grounds
Remaining Section to Mae Wang
Once you leave the temple and head back on the track towards Mae Win, there is a mix of dirt, possible muddy sections, and single track.
Note: Possible Roadworks Ahead
Occasionally, you may encounter roadworks on this part of the route. Over the years, there has been a plan to fully pave the route to the Wat Luang Khun Win from the south side. So, keep in mind that there may be some excavation work.
Bulldust.
Once you reach the Karen Eco lodge you know that you are at the end of the off-road section and now in Mae Wang area.
Karen Eco Lodge
Close to the end of the route, you will come across the Karen Eco Lodge. This is an eco-tourism homestay open to day visitors and available for overnight stays.
There are a variety of activities available at the lodge, but visitors should book activities in advance, as schedules and availability can vary.
For more information, visit the Karen Eco Lodge website.
Mae Wang
You are now in the heart of elephant territory!
Suggestions for Mae Wang Valley
Once back on the paved R1013, there are a variety of route options you can take. Below are some trip reports and guides to help you decide, or download a copy of the GPS Route Map on Mae Wang, which guides you through amazing attractions, provides historical information and takes you on the most scenic and exciting (paved) roads.
GPS Route Guide
MotoSplore Guide for Mae Wang
MotoSplore Guides
A Guide to the best routes and attractions in Mae Wang Valley
@Motogirlthailand
Riding solo in Thailand and sharing my adventures, insights, and tips is a passion of mine. If you’ve enjoyed my report, there are a few ways you can support me and help keep the wheels turning.
Say Thanks!:
Consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com/motogirlthailand or becoming a patron on Patreon.com/motogirlthailand. Your support helps me continue creating content, exploring new routes, and bringing you closer to the rich culture and landscapes of Thailand.
Motogirl Shop!:
Check out my shop page where you can find MotoSplore GPS Route Map guides, exclusive MotoGirlThailand merchandise and products I recommend for every rider. Every purchase gives you a great adventure and helps fund and support the running costs for Motogirlthailand.com
Great report, has me excited to give it a go. Love the arrows to enable one to follow correct route. Got a feeling I’ll still get lost though. 🙂 555. Cheers Zed.
Thanks! I think you will really enjoy this track, especially as you are a more experienced off-road rider than me. I am sure you will tackle it easily and there are more tracks around the area too, but I am not confident enough yet to explore them.
Thank you for the report. As I am not living in Thailand I should like to do this trip but my next visit in october is during wzt season and limited to go to motoGP in Buriram. Maybe next year the road will be already paved?
Hi Bennie. I believe it will be a VERY long time before this route is paved…and even then, I believe it will just the small section from the temple to Mae Win that will be getting paved and the temple to Samoeng route will remain a dirt road.
I dont imagine there will be a huge amount of progress by October, given how slow the progress is going at this time.
Certainly most of the track will remain dirt for the foreseeable future..so no worries!
P.s. Much easier to find the entrance to this route via the Mae Win side, but I did like going from the Samoeng side.