How to Hike to Mae Yen Waterfall in Pai

Mae Yen waterfall is an epic jungle waterfall located near the peaceful mountain town of Pai, Thailand.

If you’re looking for epic day trip adventures or short independent hikes in Pai, then Mae Yen waterfall might just be the ticket!

Getting to the waterfall is an adventure in itself. While the hike is fairly easy, it does take at least two hours one way. Along the way, you’ll pass through banana plantations, jungle river systems, and incredible Northern Thailand landscapes.

Quick Things to Know About Mae Yen Falls

• Cost: Free! Unlike some of the other waterfalls in Pai, this one won't cost you a single baht! (Update: traveler Jen let me know there were guys at the trailhead asking for 300 baht entrance fee. I couldn't validate that this was official.
• Hike Length: The Mae Yen waterfall hike will take roughly 2 hours each way.
• Distance: Roughly 6 km (3.7 mi) each way.
• Hike Difficulty: The trail is flat and relatively easy for most of the hike besides a steep final section near the end.
• Map & Route: My Strava | Download GPX (.gpx 991 kB).

The waterfall features a stunning 30-meter drop, perfect for a refreshing swim before heading back.

The trail involves multiple river crossings, so be prepared to get your feet wet. Start early to avoid the midday heat and bring plenty of water, snacks, and insect repellent. The trailhead is accessible by motorbike or car, about 6 km from Pai town center.

How to Get to Mae Yen Waterfall

The best way to get to Mae Yen waterfall is to rent a motorbike in Pai and ride to the start of the hiking trail. As far as I'm aware, there are no guided hikes to Mae Yen, so you'll need to tackle this one independently.

Mae Yen Waterfall Starting Point

The Mae Yen waterfall starting point is located beside a campground named "Wunderland Camping", approximately 10 minutes from Pai. You can search for "Mae Yen Waterfall Hiking Trail".

Once you arrive at the campground, you can park your motorbike and cross the first river adjacent to the campground. The first crossing gives a bit of a teaser for what to expect along the trail!

My Experience Hiking to Mae Yen Waterfall

After crossing the first river, we continued along, following the wider road through a banana plantation and small village until we eventually entered the thicker jungle scrub.

From here, we followed the river which is actually the source of the waterfall for the entirety of the 2-hour hike. Along the track, you'll cross that same river 36 times (we counted) before eventually climbing a rather steep final section and finally arriving at Mae Yen waterfall.

What to Expect at Mae Yen Waterfall

Although it's less popular than other waterfalls in the area, this one is in my opinion, the best waterfall in Pai! Once you arrive, you'll enter a beautiful jungle oasis, surrounded by steep moss-covered rock walls.

Mae Yen waterfall is actually made up of three, steep levels that flow into small pools. The bottom bool is quite shallow and definitely doesn't allow for any cliff jumping or diving. However, you'll probably want to make the most of it by cooling down in the fresh flowing waters.

If you're careful, it's possible to climb up the right side of the waterfall to sit in a small, waist height pool at the bottom of the second flow. You'll need to be careful since it is very slippery and remember to always keep an eye out for changes in conditions.

Where to Stay in Pai

FAQ About the Mae Yen Trail

I hiked this waterfall trail quite a few years ago now but I've kept this guide up to date to help you on your trip. Here are some updates and questions I get about the trail.

Over to You

I hope that this travel guide for Mae Yen Waterfall Pai Thailand has been enough to get you off the well-trodden trail and into the epic jungles of Northern Thailand. If you have any questions, please leave a comment or even send me a message.

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