If you’re looking to experience all the very best things Thailand has to offer while you’re here, you must add the Tab Kak Hang Nak Trail to your list. Hiking in Thailand is awesome. This nature trail is one of Thailand’s hidden gems – while tourists do tread its paths regularly, you’re certainly not going to have to take pictures over other people’s shoulders just to see the views.
Interested? Good! This is a morning or day trip you won’t regret – read on to learn everything you need to know about hiking the Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail.
Where is the Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail?
The Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail is located about 30km from Krabi town centre or 18km from the closer town of Ao Nang. The nature trail is on Ngorn Nak Mountain, and at an elevation of 500m above sea level, is the highest peak in the area.
What is the Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail like?
Ao Nang is a well-known resort town in Southern Thailand, and so the nature trail offers breathtaking views out to sea. Much of the trail is under the cover of trees, so you’re likely to see lizards and other wildlife native to the area. There are several view stations and things to see on the way up, streams and a waterfall, so if you don’t fancy going up to the peak, you could simply walk up to the first view area and back, which would be about 5km total.
The entire trail is about 8km, but it’s well worth it to see views that compete with those you’d otherwise only see from the air. Speaking of air, the air on this trail is some of the freshest that can be found anywhere!
The hike can be hard on hot days, but the view at the top makes it well worth the trip. To get the most out of your trip and to feel the most comfortable, make sure you follow the advice in the next section and try to start your hike as early in the day as you can.
The trail is open from 8AM, so starting close to then will allow you to make the most of the cooler morning weather, and you can be back and on your way to your next activity by 1 or 2PM. In other words, it’s a great way to get in a workout with some of the best views in the world and build up an appetite for lunch!
How to Prepare for the Hike
As you now know, the Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail isn’t a leisurely stroll you can do in a couple of minutes, so you should prepare properly for the trip.
Getting There and Back
The first thing to consider is how you’re going to get there, as you’ll need to arrange transport to the area. Most travellers choose to hire a scooter, which can be done for around 200 baht from Ao Nang or Krabi. If you’re willing to spend more and would prefer not to drive yourself, you can hire a taxi or tuk-tuk (just make sure they’re prepared to wait or come back for you).
What to Bring With You
If you follow no other advice in this article, make sure it’s this: bring plenty of water! You need to bring a minimum of 1 litre of water, though 2 litres will be better (that’s per person, by the way). Also bring:
- a few snacks or a packed lunch so you can have a picnic on the way down
- Bug spray
- Sun cream
- A few small first aid items, like some antiseptic wipes and plasters
- About 100 baht to tip the rangers at the start of the trail
What to Wear
Besides wearing clothing that is suitable for the temperature and easy to walk up steep hills in, the main thing to take away is to ensure you have proper footwear. Thongs and other sandals won’t cut it, unless they’re trail sandals. Try to opt for sandshoes (AKA sneakers) or hiking boots.
Be aware that it can be muddy and slippery after rain, so consider delaying your plans if the weather is going to be bad, and making sure you have suitable footwear after rainfall.
How to Find the Tab Kak Hang Nak Trailhead
Finding the entrance to the trail can be difficult if you’re renting a scooter and just using Google Maps, as some visitors have found GPS spotty in the area. Head to Amari Vogue Krabi Hotel and you’ll find the trailhead just a few meters after it.
The Surrounding Area
The Tab Kak Han Nak Nature Trail is well positioned so you can spend the day (or many days) exploring the local area. There are plenty of hotels in the area, restaurants, and activities. Thailand’s beaches are all incredible, but the beaches in this area are the perfect place to spend the afternoon or evening watching the sunset.
If you are planning adventure travel, there are areas to go rock climbing, sailing, snorkelling (consider going at night to see the bioluminescent plankton in the area), ATV riding, mountain biking and kayaking.
Planning Your Trip
Planning an adventure travel holiday or even just a day of your trip can be a daunting undertaking – you don’t want to choose the wrong thing and end up doing a trip or tour that doesn’t fulfil your expectations. That’s where we can help:
With David Hibbins Travel and Resurgence Travel, you don’t have to worry about all the little details – we can guide you with a hiking tour to help you find companionship, support, and of course, have fun!
Life moves fast so don’t delay planning and booking your next hiking tour or adventure travel holiday. To find out more about how we can help you, go to Resurgence Travel, or go to David Hibbins Travel to learn about our philosophy.
