The Nan Loop — Northern Thailand's Hidden Riding Route

If the Mae Hong Son Loop is Thailand's most famous ride, the Nan Loop is its best kept secret. Tucked into the far northeast of northern Thailand, close to the Laos border, Nan Province sees a fraction of the visitors that head to Pai and Mae Hong Son — and the riding reflects that. The roads are quieter, the towns are more traditional, and the sense of riding somewhere genuinely off the tourist trail makes the Nan Loop one of the most rewarding experiences in the country for riders who have done the big loop and are looking for something deeper.

This guide rides the loop clockwise from Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai to Phrae

The loop heads east out of Chiang Mai on Route 11. Phrae is the first worthwhile stop — a quietly charming provincial town with a well-preserved old city, beautiful teak mansions and some of the finest traditional northern Thai architecture in the country.

Recommended stop: Guesthouses within the old city walls — walking distance from the teak mansions and the morning market.

Phrae to Nan

The road from Phrae to Nan on Route 101 sees the landscape shift — rolling hills, thinning traffic and gradually more rewarding riding. Nan itself is the highlight of the first half — a beautifully preserved city with Wat Phumin, one of the most extraordinary temples in Thailand, famous for its 600-year-old murals. Allow a full day in Nan.

Recommended stop: Nan city centre near the night market — convenient and lively in the evenings.

Nan to Doi Phu Kha and the Mountain Roads

North of Nan, the loop enters its most dramatic terrain through Doi Phu Kha National Park. The road to Bo Kluea — a remote salt-mining village deep in the mountains — is a particular highlight worth the detour.

Recommended stop: Pua has simple but comfortable guesthouses — a good base for exploring the Doi Phu Kha roads.

The Return to Chiang Mai

The loop returns via Route 1083 and Route 1, descending through increasingly familiar terrain before arriving back in Chiang Mai.

Tips for Riding the Nan Loop

• Nan is less visited than Mae Hong Son Loop towns — book accommodation in advance during Thai public holidays
• The mountain roads north of Nan toward Doi Phu Kha are among the best in the north — do not rush through this section
• Fuel is available in all major towns but sparse in the mountain sections — fill up in Nan before heading north
• The Nan Loop combines well with an extension toward the Laos border at Huay Kon for riders interested in a cross-border detour