Well it’s done, Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai is tracked and ran! The first GR footpath in Thailand does exist, we’re a living proof. We can witness the first long mountain trail is born, we’ve ran it in 7 days and 6 nights. Of course it is not marked yet; of course it doesn’t officially …
The first stage of our journey will leave from Chiang Mai and finish 49k and 3000m+ further in the Karen village of Ban Mae Kha. The route will pass through the pilgrim trail that goes up through jungle to the magnificent temple of Wat Palaad and Thai Buddhist sacred site of Wat Doi Suthep. With a …
The second stage between Mae Kha and Sop Kai has the same distance (49k) but a smaller elevation (2250m instead of+ 3000m) than the 1st stage. It will be important to manage efficiently the series of running days. After a first and tough day it will be interesting to see how the shape is. Hopefully …
This third stage with 58k will be the second longest one of the race. It will be also one of the toughest. It will come after two tough running days: when starting this stage we will have already 100k and 5000m elevation “in the legs”. It will be a “mountain stage” with a majority of …
The 4th stage of our journey is probably the wildest one. Less hilly but very wild. It will see us going through jungles and tropical forests for many kilometers without crossing any village. The atmosphere will be magical and sometimes oppressive; progress in some areas might be difficult. I even got lost when I was …
This stage of “transition” will be much welcome for our group. It will allow us to relax a litlle bit after 4 days of intense running. After a pretty night in a great guesthouse with a magnificent scenery on the mountains at the border with Myanmar, I hope the batteries will be fully reloaded. With a great …
This sixth stage is the zenith of the project at least on a sport side. Running 74k a day after having done 220k in 5 days is already a small feat. If you add almost 4000m elevation and the highest part of the week (2000m high), it really starts to get complicated. Then when you …
This last stage will see us sliding quietly to Chiang Rai. From Tha Ton at the door of our bungalow we will take a pirogue on the river Nam Kok. The stage of the previous day would have probably been difficult for bodies and souls. After a restful night and a wake-up call later than …
My first time in Thailand was in 2009. Like millions of tourists, the adventure began at Bangkok airport. The unpronounceable Suvarnabhumi airport sees millions of tourists invading the city every year. Arrived in the morning on a day of August, my first contact with Thailand was more like a slap than a big smile. One wonders how …
Despite full of advantages the Northern Thailand is rather unexplored by hikers and runners. Many “treks” are organized but are simple ballads of few miles on the same trails and areas. Walkers meet each other in a few different places on short-distance trails. The rest of the mountains is not visited at all. Not any trek …