Cycling in Chiang Mai
Everything you need to ride in and around Chiang Mai, Thailand: where to cycle, where to fix or rent a bike, and who to call for a guided tour. Free and independent since 2000.
- 5 classic routes
- 29 bike shops
- 10 areas
What do you need?
Where to go cycling in Chiang Mai
Five rides you can do on your own, from a flat hour along the river to a full day in the mountains. Each one starts within easy reach of the Old City.
Cycling routes →Bike shops in Chiang Mai
Where to buy, fix or upgrade a bicycle in and around Chiang Mai. Shops are grouped by area so you can find the one nearest your hotel or your route.
Bike shops →Bicycle rental in Chiang Mai
Renting a bike in Chiang Mai is easy. Renting a good one takes a little more care. Here is where to go and what to check before you hand over your passport copy.
Bike rental →Guided cycling tours in Chiang Mai
If you would rather not plan the route, fix the punctures or find lunch in a village where nobody speaks English, join a tour. These operators run cycling tours in and around Chiang Mai.
Guided cycling tours →Self-guided cycling tours from Chiang Mai
Freedom to ride when and how you like, without having to work out routes, rent a good bike or book every night yourself. That is the idea behind a self-guided tour.
Self-guided tours →Classic rides from the city
Doi Suthep climb
The climb every cyclist in Chiang Mai ends up doing.
Route guide →
Samoeng loop
A paved loop of roughly 70 km around the back of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, joining Mae Rim in the north to Hang Dong in the south via the mountain town of Samoeng.
Route guide →
Huay Tung Tao reservoir ride
The easiest half-day ride out of town with a proper destination: a lake below Doi Suthep with bamboo huts on the water where you can eat lunch with your feet up..
Route guide →Cycling by area
Chiang Mai is flat in the middle and steep at the edges. Where you start shapes the ride.
Cycling in Old City & Tha Phae Gate
First-day rides · Renting a bike · Temple-hopping
Explore the Old City →
Cycling in Nimmanhaemin & Suthep
The Doi Suthep climb · Road cycling · Pre-ride coffee
Explore Nimman and Suthep →
Cycling in Hang Dong, south of Chiang Mai
Starting the Samoeng loop · Last repairs before the hills · Flat village rides
Explore Hang Dong →
Cycling in Tha Sala, San Kamphaeng & Mae On
Flat countryside · Families · Craft villages
Explore Tha Sala and San Kamphaeng →When is the best time to cycle in Chiang Mai?
September to March. December to February is the sweet spot: cool, sunny mornings and the countryside in flower. September, at the tail of the rainy season, is lush without being too muddy.
By the end of March the trails are dusty and hot, and the air can be smoky from seasonal burning. In the rainy season, from June to September, days are cooler and overcast, which suits riders who do not mind getting wet and muddy.