Motorbiking in Thailand: 140 km Loop Near Chiang Mai
Most people who go motorbiking in Thailand stick to the same handful of routes. The Mae Hong Son Loop. The road to Pai. Maybe Doi Suthep on a Sunday morning. And there’s nothing wrong with that — but if that’s all you see, you’re missing what makes riding in Northern Thailand truly special.
I’ve been living and riding in Chiang Mai since 2020. Not as a tourist passing through, but as someone who rides these roads week after week, year after year. And the more I explore, the more I realize how much is hidden just a few kilometers off the main highways — places that don’t show up in travel blogs, that aren’t on any “Top 10 Things to Do in Chiang Mai” list, and that most visitors will never know about.
This route is one of those discoveries. A 140 km day loop that you can do on a motorbike, a scooter, or even a big adventure bike. You don’t need to ride for days or cross the country. Some of the best motorcycle routes in Thailand are right here, close to Chiang Mai — you just need to know where to look.
In this guide, I’ll share the exact route, every stop worth making, where to eat, what the roads are actually like, and exactly how much it costs. Whether you’re planning a motorcycle trip in Thailand or just looking for a unique day trip from Chiang Mai, this one’s for you.
The Route at a Glance
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- Distance: 140 km loop
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- Riding time: ~3.5 hours (without stops)
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- Realistic time: Full day (there’s too much to see for a quick ride)
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- Suitable for: Motorcycles, scooters, big bikes — any two wheels will do
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- Starting point: Chiang Mai area
- Wat Sri Don Moon
- Wat Mae Ta Khrai
- Mae Kampong Village
- Muang On Cave
- Three unique food stops along the way
What Makes This Route So Different?
I’ve ridden hundreds of routes across Thailand, and this one keeps surprising me. On the map, it looks like a simple 140 km circle. In reality, it packs more variety into a single day than most week-long motorcycle tours in Thailand.
Here’s what I mean:
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- Japan meets Ancient Thailand. One stop feels like you’ve wandered into a Japanese village — complete with torii gates, zen gardens, and sushi. The next takes you a century back into traditional Thai life, walking through a 100-year-old preserved village with wooden houses and hanging lanterns.
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- Cacao farms and Latin vibes. Halfway through the ride, you’ll be sipping craft hot chocolate at an estate that feels more like Central America than Southeast Asia. They grow their own cacao right here in the hills of Northern Thailand.
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- Monkeys you didn’t expect. Everyone associates monkey chaos with Southern Thailand — Krabi, the islands, temple monkeys stealing your sunglasses. But on this route, you’ll ride right through a troop of wild monkeys with their babies. The difference? These ones are completely calm. No aggression, no grabbing. Just monkeys being monkeys.
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- A bizarre cultural mix. Vintage motorcycle collections from the last century. Custom race cars in the middle of nowhere. An abandoned temple filled with graphic Buddhist “horror” sculptures. This route has it all.
Stop 1: Wat Sri Don Moon — A Hidden Temple Off the Tourist Map
Chiang Mai is famous for its temples, but most travelers only visit the same few — Doi Suthep, the Old City temples, maybe Wat Umong. Wat Sri Don Moon is nothing like those.
The architecture here is unlike anything I’ve seen in Thailand. It’s intricate, colorful, and clearly significant to the local community — yet it’s completely ignored by the tourist crowds. The reason is simple: it’s tucked away, far off the usual routes. You won’t stumble upon it unless you’re specifically looking for it or, like me, you’re riding backroads and following your curiosity.
Right next to the temple, there’s a garden filled with artificial mist and tropical plants — a little oasis designed for relaxation. It’s the kind of detail that tells you this place was made for locals, not for Instagram.
Inside the temple, you can buy a traditional prayer flag. The color depends on the day of the week you were born. You hang it up as a gesture of gratitude to Buddha, and in return, you’re supposed to receive good fortune. Whether or not you believe in it, the ritual is beautiful.
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Practical info: Free entry. Budget about 30–45 minutes here if you want to enjoy the garden too.
Stop 2: Wat Mae Ta Khrai — Thailand’s Most Unsettling Abandoned Temple
This is the stop that nobody expects. I found Wat Mae Ta Khrai completely abandoned — overgrown with weeds, wrapped in silence, with no other visitors in sight.
What’s inside is equal parts fascinating and unsettling. The temple grounds are filled with life-size statues depicting the consequences of one’s actions according to Buddhist mysticism. These aren’t gentle reminders — they’re graphic, brutal scenes showing exactly how you’ll suffer after death if you behave poorly during life. People being boiled in cauldrons. Figures twisted in punishment. It’s raw, visceral, and completely unique.
If you’re riding around Thailand on a motorbike and you think you’ve seen every kind of temple, this one will prove you wrong. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop, stare, and rethink what Thai Buddhism actually encompasses beyond the golden spires and serene Buddhas.
This is off-the-beaten-path Thailand at its most authentic — not curated for tourists, not softened for comfort. Just a forgotten temple telling uncomfortable truths.
Practical info: Free entry. No facilities, no vendors, no other people. Just you and the statues. Budget 20–30 minutes.
Stop 3: Mae Kampong Village — A 100-Year-Old Village Frozen in Time
Mae Kampong is over 100 years old and perfectly preserved, with traditional Thai wooden architecture lining narrow streets that wind through the hillside.
Here’s what makes it interesting for riders: while it’s a known destination, you’ll rarely see Western tourists here. It’s almost exclusively visited by Thai and Asian travelers who come for the photogenic streets, the hanging lanterns, and the cozy atmosphere. If there’s one thing locals love, it’s a good photo opportunity — and Mae Kampong delivers.
The village is small enough to walk through in an hour, but rich enough to keep you there for an afternoon. The narrow streets are packed with small cafes, romantic getaways, and hidden homestays. It’s the kind of place that just forces a smile on your face.
If you’re planning a motorcycle trip in Thailand and want to experience a side of the country that most foreigners miss, Mae Kampong is the perfect example. It’s touristy in the Thai sense — but completely off the Western radar.
Practical info: Free to walk around. Small parking area. If you want to stay overnight, there are homestays and small guesthouses — worth it for the evening atmosphere.
Stop 4: Muang On Cave — Wild Monkeys and a Cave All to Yourself
The last major stop on this loop is Muang On Cave, and it comes with a welcome committee — dozens of wild monkeys with their babies, hanging out by the entrance.
If you’ve dealt with the aggressive temple monkeys in Southern Thailand (the ones that steal your bags, your food, and your dignity), you’ll be pleasantly surprised here. These monkeys are completely chill. No violence, no grabbing. They just sit there, nursing their babies, and basically ignore you.
The cave itself is the reward for riding these backroads. Because this route is so far off the tourist trail, we had the entire cave to ourselves. No crowds, no noise — just limestone formations, the echo of dripping water, and a truly massive stalagmite that has become a local talking point (you’ll understand why when you see it).
Practical info: Headlamp rental is 20 THB. Budget about 1 hour for the cave and monkey watching.
Where to Eat: 3 Food Stops That Are Destinations in Themselves
One of the best things about motorcycle day trips near Chiang Mai is that the food stops are often as memorable as the main attractions. This route has three that stood out.Skugga Estate — Craft Chocolate in the Thai Hills
Skugga Estate feels like it belongs in a different country. They grow their own cacao right here in Northern Thailand — you can walk through the gardens and see the cacao pods on the trees. They produce everything on-site: craft chocolate, chocolate drinks, and even wine.
Order the signature hot chocolate or iced chocolate. This isn’t the powdered stuff — it’s the real deal, made from beans grown a few meters from where you’re sitting.
But here’s the unexpected bonus: the estate also houses a massive collection of custom vintage cars. Classic roadsters, restored beauties — all just sitting there between the cacao trees.
Must try: The signature iced chocolate. Don’t miss: The car collection (entry 20 THB).
Nekoemon Cafe — A Slice of Japan in Thailand
Walking into Nekoemon Cafe feels like stepping into Japan. There’s a full-size torii gate, perfectly manicured zen gardens, a koi pond, and a menu packed with Japanese food — sushi, bento boxes, and all the details done right.
It’s a surreal experience in the middle of a Thai motorcycle ride. One moment you’re on dusty backroads passing rice paddies, the next you’re strolling through a Japanese garden eating sushi.
Best for: Lunch stop. The gardens are worth walking through even if you’re not hungry.
Gamberry Cafe Wieng Mae Mod — Where Coffee Meets Vintage Motorcycles
If you’re into motorcycles (and if you’re reading this, you probably are), Gamberry Cafe is a must-stop. It’s a coffee shop built inside traditional Thai wooden houses, decorated with a strange mix of Arabic-hippie vibes, and filled with a serious collection of vintage motorcycles.
The owner spent years living in the US and now restores bikes from the last century right here in this small Thai village. Every corner has something to look at — a restored Harley here, a century-old engine there.
Best for: Coffee and motorcycle nerding. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to look around.
Roads, Costs & Practical Tips for This Route
Best Roads on This Loop
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- Road 1229 — Smooth, scenic, and so good you’ll want to ride it twice. This is one of the best-kept secret roads for motorbiking near Chiang Mai.
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- Road 1230 — The opposite. Abandoned, adventurous, full of potholes, and occasionally blocked by cows. If you like your rides raw and unpolished, this is your road.
Can I Do This Route on a Scooter?
Yes. The entire loop is paved. Road 1230 is rougher, but manageable on a scooter if you take it slow. A bigger bike gives you more comfort and confidence on the uneven sections, but a 125cc scooter will get you through.What It Actually Costs
Here’s exactly what I spent on this 140 km motorcycle loop:| Item | Cost |
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| Fuel | ~200 THB (based on 34 THB/L) |
| Temple Prayer Flag | 50 THB |
| Car Collection entry | 20 THB |
| Headlamp rental (cave) | 20 THB |
| Bike rental (CB500X, if needed) | 1,300 THB/day |
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- With your own bike: under 300 THB (~$8 / ~8 EUR) — not counting food
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- With a big bike rental: ~1,600 THB (~$45 / ~42 EUR)
Why Motorbiking Is the Best Way to See Thailand
Thailand is a country built for two wheels. The roads are endless, fuel is cheap, and the best places are always the ones you can’t reach by tour bus or tuk-tuk.
You don’t need a big bike. You don’t need years of riding experience. You don’t need to cross the country. Some of the most incredible motorcycle routes in Thailand are short day loops hiding just outside the major cities — you just need someone to point you in the right direction.
If you want to see the real Thailand — not the sanitized, tourist-friendly version, but the weird, beautiful, confusing, and unforgettable version — get on a bike and start riding.
Plan Your Ride
Helpful links for planning your motorcycle trip in Thailand:-
- Google Maps route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SfsRkYfgxP7XweEU8
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