Doi Pakia Mountain Biking

Today we took a 4-wheel drive loaded with mountain bikes up Doi Pakia to the 5,800 foot summit, which sits across from the famous Doi Chiang Dao, the “‘last tooth of the Himalayas” and the third highest peak in Thailand. From the summit, which was covered in pine trees planted by the King 50 years ago to replace opium fields, we traced the ridgeline biking along dirt paths taking in amazing views before we plunged down into the Mae Taeng Valley 25 kilometers below. Our trail guides, Danai and Tony, took us through a Hmong village, a coffee plantation, and cut samples of chestnuts, honeysuckle, coffee beans, and other trailside treats. It was a good day to kick up a little dirt and test the brakes!