Satellite map of Mae Hong Son Loop

Chiang Mai / Mae Hong Son · Thailand

Mae Hong Son Loop

1095Mae Malai to Mae Hong Son

Distance124.6 mi201 km
Drive time4 h 21 minon the road
DifficultyDemandingtightness 6 of 10
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Thailand’s most celebrated mountain highway runs 245 km from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son via Pai, through remote hill-tribe country on continuous switchbacks.

From Mae Malai north of Chiang Mai, Route 1095 climbs into the mountains with sustained switchbacks through jungle. Pai, in a wide river valley, is the main overnight stop at ~80 km; beyond it the road crosses high ridges before dropping to Mae Hong Son. The northern leg of the famous loop that has drawn drivers for its unrelenting curves.

Famous for its 1,864 curves, Thailand’s great mountain loop winds through hill-tribe country and the riverside town of Pai on some of the most relentless switchbacks in Asia.

Why we picked it

Mae Hong Son Loop on the map124.6 mi · point to point

Mae MalaiStart · Chiang Mai / Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong SonEnd · Chiang Mai / Mae Hong Son

Character

Corners593bends
Tightness6of 10
Max gradient10%≈ 1-in-10
Hairpins22bends over 150°
Climb4,575 mtotal ascent
Summit1,451.2 mhighest point of the line · 4,761 ft

Corners

busiest around mile 111
316292 mi

Elevation

under 4%4–8%over 8%210.1 – 1,451.2 m
summit · 1,451.2 m 2505007501,0001,250 m 062123 mi

Points of interest2 stops

  • Doi Kiew LomViewpoint
    73 mi in
  • Phang Ma Pha ViewpointViewpoint
    93 mi in

Hazards

  • Burning-season smoke February to April
  • Monsoon landslides July to October
  • 50 km gaps between fuel
  • Steep descents slippery in rain
  • Minimal guardrails

Sources

Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked

Driving the Mae Hong Son Loop: quick answers

How long does it take to drive the Mae Hong Son Loop?
Mae Hong Son Loop runs 124.6 miles (201 km) and takes about 4 h 21 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Mae Hong Son Loop to drive?
We rate it demanding: 593 corners including 22 hairpins, a maximum gradient of 10%, and a tightness of 6 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Mae Hong Son Loop?
Winter is best.

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