Spend the night at Phu Pha Man National Park
Towards Loei you are on the 201. Past Chum Phae you turn right, because you drive straight ahead to Phetchabun. This is all well marked. Don't take the turn Phu Pha Man itself, but continue for another 10 kilometers and then you will see the exit to on your left Phu Pha Man national park. You can't miss this either.
Just sign up and if you don't want to spend the night, you can just drive on. Still, I would recommend an overnight stay. You don't have to leave it for the costs.
After 5 kilometers you will arrive at the tourist center of the park. Here you can register for the rental of a simple sleeping cabin for two or more people. There are even wooden bungalows that can accommodate twelve people. Simple yet neat furnishings. Very well maintained toilet groups with showers are widely available and also a building that houses a kind of museum. It is striking that you can enter here with your shoes on. After fifteen minutes you've seen it and you can sit outside at the restaurant, eat something small or do something against your thirst.
Enjoy the enormously beautiful view of the mountains and the beautiful nature. The mountains are so steep that it seems as if you are looking at a net curtain.
There are hiking trails through the woods where you can see beautiful trees. Visit caves with stalagnites and stalactites. In the rainy season also beautiful waterfalls at 1,5 kilometers, so within walking distance.
Also funny is the 'wrong' signage. A campfire is in English Bonfire, but here Campfire. Not the biggest mistake, but that the word also has a past tense, is unknown to me. So here: camefire!
Back in your car before nightfall to watch the departure of the millions of bats. Just ask what time you have to be present, because I arrived half an hour late once and the birds had flown, literally and figuratively.
The next day the journey to Loei can be continued, but it is also recommended to turn to Phu Kradueng.
Yes a beautiful park, been there years ago,
And the scenery is also beautiful, hence one
Speaks of little Switzerland.
It is certainly very beautiful because we have it there near our house. If you are in the area, take a look at the bat cave, which is in Phupha. Man himself comes there at about 6.30 in the evening to see hundreds of thousands of bats emerge, a beautiful sight. . If you drive a bit further, you can also go to the Phu Talo Cave and Tat Fa Waterfall. For the latter, inquire with the locals whether you can get there by car, the road can sometimes be impassable.
regards Marcel
Thank you for your tip.
I have been to the Phu Kradeng, Phu Rua and in the Khao Yai National Park with a group of hiking friends http://www.tt-wandelreizen.nl/wandelreizen-2016/azie-oceanie/wandelen-thailand#prasat-hin-khao-yai
We enjoyed it and will also check out this area.
The Phu Pha Man National Park is located in the province of Khon Kaen, and borders the provinces of Loei and Petchabun. The area called “Little Switzerland” is called Thung Salaeng Luang and is located northwest of the city of Petchabun. It is about 80 kilometers further west than Phu Pha Man, so Pilot is mistaken about this. Personally, I think Loei and Petchabun are beautiful mountainous provinces, which can rival Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai in terms of natural beauty.
Can someone tell me how to get there from Cha,am or Hua-Hin? possibly with public transport?
take the bus from bangkok to chumphae you can also take the minibus to phu pha man but to get to the park will not be easy no taxis and no buses there. From chum phae you take the bus that goes to loei and you have to get off at the park then it is a long walk. Maybe you can arrange a taxi from Chumphae (don't know if there are any, I've never seen them anyway). The best thing is with your own transport you can drive in 1 and if it is very easy 2 days.
By private transport from Cha am/Hua Hin follow the highway 4 then follow the 35 SAMUT SAKON then the 9 then follow the indication SARABUR highway 1, at SARABURI follow the highway 2 towards NAKHON RATCHA SIMA (Korat) take exit SIKHIU (201) and keep following it Chayaphum > LOEI.
from HUA HIN to the highway 35 +/+ 100 km
from SIKHIU to ChumPhae +/+ 226 km
Succes
A detail perhaps. A campfire is indeed a campfire. A bonfire is a bonfire.
Phu Pa Man Park is indeed in the nose of Khon Kaen province and not in Petchabun.
The bat cave Tham Khang Khao is a bit south of the park. Near the village of Phu Pa Man. Millions of these flying mice live here. Every evening, after 17 p.m., these bats leave the cave in a winding line, 00 kilometers long. You hear them too. The spectacle lasts more than half an hour. You will have to arrange transportation yourself. For example from Chum Phae. There are plenty of facilities in this city. A choice of hotels. There is even a farang bar: Caladonian Bar
Overnight accommodation options are available at the cave:
Phuman Camp Countryview & Resort
Seems a bit messy, but beautiful bungalows. There is a restaurant. Just a few hundred meters from the bat cave.
Phuphaman Ban Phasuk Resort
Spacious bungalows with a beautiful view of the mountains. With restaurant. Breakfast is possible. 2 km from the bat cave. There is a supermarket nearby, but the resort also has a shop.
Phu Pa Man is a village of reasonable size. There is even a hospital.
A beautiful environment.