Being always on the search for awesome hiking spots wherever I travel to, most of the time I find out about them after asking the locals. On this occasion, during my time solo Solo backpacking in Thailand I was looking on what to do in Krabi and it was a good friend of mine who is now an expat in Phuket that told me about Khao Ngon Nak National Park for the best Krabi viewpoint!
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How to go to Ao Nang
To go to the best viewpoint in Krabi I recommend you to start from Ao Nang. There are plenty of options from some of the most visited places that you will go when backpacking in Thailand. For example:
By bus from Phuket.
By boat and bus from Koh Lipe.
By boat from Tonsai beach / Railay beach (which is what I did). Alternatively, you could just make it a day trip from Tonsai as there are enough boats to go to Ao Nang, go for the hike and then return to Tonsai beach.
How to go hiking to the best viewpoint in Krabi:
To check the best viewpoint in Krabi, the Khao Ngon Nak National Park is about 10km away from Ao Nang, the easiest way to get there is to rent a scooter from Krabi or Ao Nang.
If you’re travelling solo, the best thing would be to team up with someone at your hostel, not only to split the costs but also for the pillion passenger to check on the route while the other one rides the scooter.
I rented a scooter near Simple Hostel where I stayed a night in Ao Nang. This was the cheapest hostel in town so do not expect anything special but just a place to crash. Check out here for more hostels in Ao Nang.
Once you reach the road right next to the sea, it will be a straight line until the end of the road which marks the start of the Khao Ngon Nak National Park. It will take you about 25min to get there from Ao Nang, a bit more from Krabi.
You can also go with a tuk tuk if a scooter is not for you, it will just cost you a bit more (1000-1500thb depending on where you are, compared to 200thb to rent a scooter for a full day at Ao Nang)
Pro tip: if you plan to rent a scooter in Thailand, make sure to have an international driving permit as otherwise you’re risking yourself to get a fine. Always make sure to wear a helmet even if you see others no using it. And finally but extremely important, before agreeing to rent a scooter, make sure to ask for a quick test around the block to check the brakes work well.
At the entrance of the park you will find a small stall to buy drinks and snacks in case you didn’t prepare in advance. I strongly recommend you to always carry water when you go hiking in Krabi and in Thailand in general as the humidity can make it really difficult for you even if the hike yuo’re doing is not that challenging. This particular hike to the best viewpoint in Krabi is short but can be steep at times and very hot because of the humidity.
The hike to the Krabi viewpoint
The path towards Khao Ngon Nak viewpoint is just short of 4km. It’s super well marked so it’s impossible to get lost there.
It’s mostly on the shade but the high humidity can get the best out of you so make sure to come with plenty of water and a snack (I love the peanut-caramel bars they sell almost in every market in Thailand and across SE Asia)
Although there are many climbs, some of them with wooden steps, none are too steep.
It’s not a technical hike and I consider it as fairly doable for anyone with a minimum level of fitness. But consider that the humidity can make it harder if you’re not used to it, so always take plenty of water with you.
It took us just an hour to get to the best viewpoint in Krabi so it’s not the longest or toughest hike out there, but it’s good fun and you get plenty of other viewpoints on the way.
As it’s well transited by other hikers (not too crowded when I went though) the chances of spotting wildlife are limited and for us it came to just some lizards and birds.
The highlight for sure is the final overhanging rock where we all took incredible photos! if you’re on you own make sure to ask another fellow hiker to take you one!
There are plenty of spots to enjoy the wonderful views of the Andaman Sea and the surroundings of the Krabi region, the steep cliffs will give you a good idea of the altitude you’re at and the views of the jungle are breath-taking! you can definitely spent a long time sitting and enjoying the landscape.
On the way up to the viewpoint you will also see a diversion to Pha Nam Yot, this is also an extra bit to add to the hike, it’ll not take more than 10min to get to this waterfall, as we went on the dry season it was just a little more than a stream, still ok to refresh your face though!
This is a short hike but lots of fun, makes it a perfect day out if you’re in Krabi, Ao Nang, Railay or Tonsai Beach.
If you’re at Railay or Tonsai you will have plenty of time to catch the boats to and fro. It will also add something different to your eyes if you have spent several days by the beach already.
The Krabi viewpoint hike is perhaps one of the shortest hikes I’ve ever done but a tremendously beautiful one!
If you need to relax a bit after this beautiful but possibly tiring hike, check this tour including the Emerald Pool and hot springs.
Check out the rest of my backpacking in Thailand adventures for ideas on your next trip!
Feel free to drop any questions! 🙂
