Ride · Northern Thailand
Mae Hong Son Loop
The mountain circuit every rider in Thailand talks about
- Distance
- About 600 km
- Time
- 4 to 6 days
- Bike
- 150cc or more
- Road
- Paved all the way
This is the ride people fly to Chiang Mai for. You go out on Route 1095 through Pai and come home on Route 108 through Mae Sariang, and for most of it you're climbing or leaning into a bend. Mae Hong Son province counts 1,864 curves on the way to its capital, and you'll feel like you rode every one of them.
Good for: Riders who already hold a motorcycle licence and have real hours on mountain roads.
Not for: A first ride. The road to Pai is steep and tight, and it's busy with vans in high season. Get some hours in on easier roads before you take this one on.
Watch the road first
Thai Travel Diaries filmed this ride from the saddle. It's the quickest way to see whether these roads suit you and your bike.
A Scenic Road Adventure: the beauty of Thailand's Mae Hong Son Loop · 18 min · by Thai Travel Diaries
Stop by stop
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Chiang Mai Rent the bike here and take it for a short day ride first, so the first time you meet a hairpin isn't on Route 1095. About 135 km Routes 107 and 1095. The famous stretch. There are 762 curves between the turn-off and Pai, steep and tight, and most riders take three to four hours with stops.
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Pai A relaxed valley town and the usual first night. It's worth two if you want a rest day. About 110 km Route 1095. Quieter and just as twisty, over the passes around Pang Mapha. The caves near here make a good break.
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Mae Hong Son The small provincial capital, set around a lake. Pang Ung is a side trip north of town. About 165 km Route 108. South through Khun Yuam. The road opens up a little and the traffic thins out.
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Mae Sariang A quiet town on the Yuam River and the last night for most riders. About 190 km Route 108. The easiest leg of the loop, east through Hot and back to Chiang Mai. Doi Inthanon is a detour off this road if you have a spare day.
- Chiang Mai Back where you started. Give yourself a night here before you fly or take the train.
Side trips: Pang Ung, Doi Inthanon National Park.
Fuel: You'll find fuel in every town on the loop. Fill up before you leave each one, because it's a long way between them.
Our advice: Don't try to do it in three days. Four is the minimum that leaves you time to stop. With five or six you can add Pang Ung or Doi Inthanon and still be off the road before dark.
Distances are rounded and come from road and news sources, checked November 2026. Lines on the map show the order of stops, not the exact road.
When to ride
The North: best Nov to Jan.
- Jan Best
- Feb Good
- Mar Avoid
- Apr Avoid
- May Mixed
- Jun Mixed
- Jul Mixed
- Aug Mixed
- Sep Mixed
- Oct Good
- Nov Best
- Dec Best
Before you ride
You need a motorcycle licence from home and an International Driving Permit, and your travel insurance has to cover the bike you rent. The insurance that comes with a rental bike doesn't do that.
Read the checklistCommon questions
How long is the Mae Hong Son Loop?
About 600 km from Chiang Mai and back, using Route 1095 through Pai and Mae Hong Son and Route 108 through Mae Sariang. Side trips to Pang Ung or Doi Inthanon add to that.
How many days do you need to ride the Mae Hong Son Loop?
Four days is the practical minimum, with nights in Pai, Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang. Five or six days gives you time for side trips and a rest day.
Can a beginner ride the Mae Hong Son Loop?
It isn't a good first ride. The road to Pai alone has 762 curves, many of them steep hairpins shared with vans and trucks. You need a motorcycle licence and experience on mountain roads.
What is the best month to ride the Mae Hong Son Loop?
November to February, when it's cool and dry. From late February into April, smoke from burning can hide the views, and June to October is the rainy season.
Which direction should you ride the loop?
Either way works. Going through Pai first puts the tightest road on day one. Starting through Mae Sariang lets you warm up on the easier Route 108 and saves the 762 curves for the ride home.
Sources: Lonely Planet: Mae Hong Son Loop road trip · Wikipedia: Highway 1095