Chiang Mai's 10 Best Road Bike Rides

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#10 The Mae On Loop

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This is a flat metric century that heads east of Chiang Mai past San Khampeng. It’s open land and the ride follows the valley north past the Hot Springs and around the hills. It covers Chiang Mai roads and scenery while staying out of the high density city.

#9 Finish Line by way of the Hmong Village

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This is a great way to see rural Thailand life. Great views back towards Chiang Mai and every kilometer is interesting. The only reason this ride is at number 9 is during the rainy season it gets muddy in the valley.

#8 Mae Khan Valley Loop

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The Mae Khan Valley Loop is a pleasant ride down the Canal Road south of Chiang Mai. The Canal Road is a fast, wide-shouldered road that starts most of the south-going rides. At about the 16K mark take a right turn into the Mae Khan Valley. There are several Wats along the ride, the most significant being Wat Doi Sapphanyu. It’s worth the climb for both the view of the valley and the view of the four giant Buddhist images.

#7 Samoeng Loop

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This is a ride to remember. Multiple big hills. Amazing views. Thailand village life. The Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Mae Sa Elephant Camp, The Seven Spirals of Doom. Everything! It’s just under a metric century but you have to earn every single meter.

#6 Lampoon Loop

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A cool weather metric century with no hills, open air, and lots of room. The last part is on Highway 11’s wide shoulders so you have the opportunity to really go fast with the wind at your back. I often ride this loop alone feeling totally safe. There is a big 7/11 at the half way point with bathrooms and snacks. Can’t get lost as the ride starts going south on the Canal Road and curves around without making any turns or decisions.

#5 South River Loop

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A flat, no-prep ride that hardly anyone knows about. It starts out heading south on the Canal Road then cuts east to the Ping River. The ride continues north along the Ping River to the Middle Ring Road, then back south on the Canal Road to complete the loop. This ride has everything from the fast flats to the newly resurfaced road along the river. Just past the halfway point is a dam and walkway over the river. There is always someone fishing, picnicking, or strolling there and I feel part of the community when I stop to watch. It is well shaded making this a 60K all-season ride that can be done in less than two hours.

#4 Wat Doi Suthep

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Every rider coming to Chiang Mai rides to Wat Doi Suthep. One of the major Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai and the destination for many, many Thais and tourists. People from all walks of life are ascending to the temple and sometimes it is very humbling to see the effort being put in for this merit-making activity. At Wat Doi Suthep it’s traditional to have a fruit shake. The vendors love riders and usually give us an extra-large serving.

#3 Kristadoi

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A 30K ride to the top of the first challenge hill. It gets more and more rural as you go, passing coffee shops, workshops, and smaller villages. The route generally follows the river and midway up the final hill you can hear water falling from behind the wall of jungle green. An alternate route is called “Five Hills” as it climbs up to Wat Phra That Doi Kham, descends, climbs and descends the hill behind the Wat, then joins the normal route climbing Kristadoi and returning the same way. That’s five good climbs compressed into one nice ride. For the brave at heart the descent is the fastest I have ever ridden on a bike.

#2 Antenna

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This is the “money ride” - a 40K all-season ride building on Kristadoi and continues up to the cell phone antenna on the top of the second challenge hill. More rural life, Wats, markets, a couple great coffee shops, waterfalls, and elephants. Almost every ride I see elephants coming down the mountain. I get excited every time I see these magnificent animals. Sometimes I just have to get off the bike and interact with them.

#1 Finish Line

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The Finish Line is the best ride in Chiang Mai building on all the good things in the Kristadoi and the Antenna climbs. The summit is only 3K further but the altitude gain is significant so everyone should find a challenge. At the top there is a small sala to catch your breath and listen to the jungle insects and watch the birds. It’s a great feeling to reach the top and know that not many people have accomplished this. It’s nice to be out of the high density city breathing the cool, cool air.