Hiking Dragon Crest Mountain in Krabi: Trail, Views, and Tips
Dragon Crest Mountain View, Krabi, Thailand
Dragon Crest Mountain, also known locally as Khao Nong Nak, is one of the more well-known hikes in the Krabi area.
The trail to the top is 3.7 km one way and steadily climbs through the forest.
It’s steep and uneven most of the way. There are many rocks, and the tree roots act as natural steps in many sections. You’re constantly watching where you place your feet.
Man, I can tell you, on this hike I felt it.
I don’t know if it was the weight of all my gear or just the humidity, but it was more challenging than I expected. I usually don’t have any issues hiking long distances with my gear, but in Southeast Asia, the heat and humidity really make a difference. By the time we got back to the trailhead, I had finished all of my water and snacks.
Most of the hike is under the jungle canopy, and there’s one thing you’ll notice the entire way up. The constant sound of cicadas. It never really stops. At some point, you almost forget about it, and then you notice it again.
Every now and then, the trail opens up. From those spots, you can see the valley below, limestone formations, and parts of the Andaman Sea with islands in the distance.
It took us about 1.5 hours to reach the summit.
The Summit
Near the top, the forest thins, and the trail leads onto a rocky ridge.
Lookout point before reaching the summit at Khao Nong Nak.
From there, the views open up in different directions, looking out over the surrounding landscape and toward the coast.
We ran into a few people at the top, but nothing crazy. We were able to take photos and spend some time there without it feeling crowded.
On the Way Down
On the way back, it was a different story.
We passed a lot more people coming up, and some parts of the trail started to feel a bit busy. If you’re thinking about doing this hike, trying to be one of the first ones up there is definitely worth it.
At one point, the trail splits, and you have the option to go see a pond. To be honest, it’s not really worth it. It’s a small pond that’s probably been there for years, and while it might be fed by a natural spring, it doesn’t really compare to what you see along the main trail.
Photos & Timing
There are multiple spots along the trail where you can stop and take photos, but this is the one thing I’d suggest. Keep going and don’t stop too much on the way up. Save it for later.
Dragon Crest Mountain Trail near the Summit, Krabi, hailand.
Once you reach the top, take your time, enjoy the view, and on the way back down, stop at the different viewpoints to take photos without feeling rushed.
If you’re trying to catch sunrise, you’ll need to start pretty early. Otherwise, sunset could be a good option too. The light might be better, and the views could feel different at that time of day.
A Note on Gear
I brought my 70–200, thinking I might get some wildlife shots.
To be fair, the trail is fairly busy, and people can be loud, so I didn’t really get the chance to use it. I ended up shooting everything on my 24–70mm instead.
If you do get lucky and spot something, it’s probably better to just enjoy the moment.
