Chiang Mai: Cycling to Huay Teung Tao Lake

A friend of a friend recommended that we visit Huay Teung Lake for a peaceful day away from the crowds of tourists in Chiang Mai. It was lovely.

We rented bikes and cycled to the lake from Chiang Mai. The ride there wasn't particularly nice as we had to ride along a major highway, however; there was little traffic and the road followed a canal that had some shaded spots where we could pull into and rehydrate.

The lake is lined with bamboo huts that are served by restaurants. We ordered drinks to our hut and sat to eat our picnic before jumping into the merky water to cool down. It is possible to rent inner tubes of pedalos to take onto the lake too. Beyond the lake are the green slopes of Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon mountains, the latter boasting Thailand's highest peak. 

Ric reading by the lake.

Even though we visited at weekend, supposedly the busiest time, the lake was peaceful and there wasn't another tourist in sight. Most of the huts were occupied by young Thai couples enjoying a quiet meal, although we had to move away from one group of drunk Thai friends who were playing guitar and singing horribly out of tune! 

Huay Teung Tao

We cycled the complete 5.1km loop around the lake before heading back into town along the highway. There are some hiking trails that leave from the lakeside for the very energetic visitor, but we were happy reading and swimming. It's one of the nicest places we visited during our week in Chiang Mai.

How To Get To...
Huay Teung Tao Lake: 

• Exit the old town on the west side to avoid getting caught up in the one way system that circles the old city walls (clockwise traffic goes outside of the moat, anticlockwise traffic goes on the inside of the moat.) 
• Take the main road that leaves from the north-west corner of the old town ring road (Route 1004). This is a very busy road.
• After approx. 2km take a right at the traffic lights onto Highway 121. This is a quiet road that runs along the canal. 
• After approx. 6km turn off the highway where you see a giant sign for the lake. 
• Follow the road, you'll reach a ticket booth where you pay a 20Baht entrance fee.

It's about 9km in total to get from the old town to the lake, easily ridable. The road climbs ever so slightly in the direction on the lake but there are no real hills. 

We Stayed At...

It's easy to visit the lake as a day trip and there are no hotels in the area. However, I believe it is possible to camp on the lakeside.