Khaoyai National Park

Khaoyai National Park is the third largest in Thailand, covering an area of 2,168 square kilometers. On July 14, 2005, Khaoyai National Park, together with the Dong Phaya Yen mountains further north was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This national park is not as well maintained as the ones in the US or Australia, and the driving signages are not very clear, but it has a unique rustic feel. We drove in to visit 2 waterfalls – Haew Narok and Haew Suwat. Tip: If you are googling for locations of these waterfalls to drive to, type “Heo”, “Haew”, “Haeo”. Many different platforms spell it differently.

Haew Narok Waterfall (น้ำตกเหวนรก) is the largest and highest waterfall in the park. While the signboars says this is only 1 kilometre walk from the main road to the viewpoint, my endomondo said I burnt 580kcal because it is a steep flight of stairs in the last 300metres, which also means quite a climb when you are coming back up! But worth the exercise, the waterfall has considerable strength.

Almost vertical stairs

Majestic Haew Narok Waterfall

Steep climb back up!

Haew Suwat Waterfall (น้ำตกเหวสุวัต) is a famous waterfall (I believe some of The Beach movie scenes were shot here) and the waterfall is only 100 metres by foot from the sign below in the parking area. From the carpark, a short walk straight will bring you to the point where the waters and plunging. If you turn left, there is a distant viewpoint where you can see a view of the waterfall through trees, or you can walk down to the waterfall itself.

View from where the water starts plunging

View from viewpoint

We spotted monkeys, elephants and deer!

Free roaming deer

There are much more trails to trek! Must try if you are nature lover. Beautiful relaxing drive which helps take my mind off city life and I hope it will help relax and remind you of nature’s beauty and majesty as well!