Location
Phu Kradueng National Park is found in the province of Loei in Northeast Thailand. Loei is the province that joins the northeast region called Isaan with the northern region of Thailand. The Isaan region is mostly flat farmland but as you travel further northwest the mountains start to take over, and in this region you find Phu Kradueng National Park. Phu Kradueng is actually a plateau at the top of a steep climb. The fun is that each visitor must climb the path up to get to the top. There is no easy way up; you must hike up.
Entrance to park / Parking / Visitor Center
You will pay the entrance fee as you are driving on the road leading up to the park. Once you enter the main area of the park, you will see a large parking lot and multiple buildings.
Entrance to Hike
The large parking lot sits next to the visitor’s center buildings where you can prep for your hike! Then just behind the buildings, you will find the entrance to start hiking! Please note that you must pass through the entrance before 1 PM or they close the gate and you must wait until the next day to hike.
If you are bringing luggage along and wish to have a porter, you will need to get it weighed and pay for a carrier before you go through the entrance. There are marked numbers to take you through the process of offloading your luggage.
*Family tip – make sure you use the toilet before beginning the trek up.
As you walk through the entrance, you will need to show your ticket.
During the Hike
The terrain changes throughout the hike. There will be parts that are more flat and parts that are steeper.
Watch for the distance markers. The last kilometer is by far the steepest. It is doable with preschoolers but just expect to help them a lot and to really slow down your pace.
You will find two different rest stops along the way. They have restaurant stalls with Thai main dishes like fried rice and papaya salad. There are stores with souvenirs as well as ice cream and popsicles! There are also necessities like toilet paper, band aids, and drinks. You can also find bathrooms along the path at the rest stop.
At the Top
Once you reach the top, you can take a picture with the Conqueror Sign. But remember, the top is a plateau with several kilometers of walking paths and viewpoints dotted around the edge looking out at the far away land below.
To get to the campsite, you have a long walk on the top of the plateau for another 30 minutes or so depending on your pace, but it is flat and easy. You should also be able to rent a bicycle to the campsite, if there is someone there to operate the bicycle rental station.
Camping at the Top
Once you get to the end of the path leading to the campsite, you will come to a huge field that looks like a village. Buildings for the edges of the field, and streetlights dot the middle, lighting up the way around the little camping village in the dark. The first building you come upon will rent you the equipment you need to camp, as well as give you tent numbers where you will stay (tents are already set up in groups). Do not expect them to take credit cards, have cash or Thai bank transfer available.
Enjoy the cool weather at the top! There are dinner options and many breakfast options in the morning! Our family highly recommends the Thai donuts early in the morning with a hot coffee or hot soy milk!
The next day, you make your way 5.5 kilometers down. Some say it’s easier going down, some say the unsteadiness on the knees makes it harder. Enjoy your trip and decide for yourself! Do you enjoy the hike up or down more?