Best hikes in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia offers some wonderful treks, whether you fancy moderate walks on the wild side, or are looking to enjoy multi-day hikes to explore volcanoes and rainforests while spotting spectacular wildlife and learning about local cultures. Covering hill tribe treks in Thailand, exploring culture and volcanoes around Yeak Laom Lake, Cambodia — and a whole lot more — the following treks come recommended as being among the best hikes in Southeast Asia. 

Considering taking a trekking trip to Southeast Asia? Use our inspirational trip ideas platform to start planning your perfect trip

Bukit Teresek trail, Taman Negara, Malaysia

Distance: 1.7 km (1 mile) one way
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1.5-2 hours round-trip

Located in Taman Negara National Park, in the Malaysian interior, the Bukit Teresek Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the country.

Winding through dense lowland rainforests of towering trees, the trail includes steep sections and wooden stairs. 

At the same time, it’s accessible to most hikers with a basic fitness level, and is one of the best hikes in Southeast Asia if you love lush rainforests.

At the summit of Bukit Teresek (334 meters), you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Tembeling River, forest canopy, and — on clear days — distant views of Mount Tahan, the park’s highest peak.

How to get there

From Kuala Lumpur, take a bus or car to Kuala Tembeling Jetty (3.5 hours). Next, board a longboat for a scenic 3-hour ride up the Tembeling River to the park's entry point at Kuala Tahan.

The well-marked hike starts at the park headquarters, which is located near Kuala Tahan.

Where to stay

Located within the park, and offering easy trail access, Mutiara Taman Negara Resort is an excellent upscale option.

Meanwhile, Han Rainforest Resort, just a short distance from the park entrance, offers excellent mid-range accommodation, with the Tahan Guesthouse coming recommended for budget travelers.

Fancy visiting Malaysia? Taking inspiration from our customisable Malaysia itineraries.

Sapa village treks, Northern Vietnam

Distance: 20–40 kilometers (12–25 miles) 
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2–3 days, with 4–6 hours of hiking daily

Offering an unforgettable combination of awe-inspiring natural beauty and cultural immersion, this multi-day trek between villages of the Black H’mong, Red Dao and Tay minorities is a must-do for adventurous travelers seeking an authentic experience of Sapa, Northern Vietnam.

Traversing terraced rice fields, lush valleys, bamboo forests, and rolling hills — and offering breath-taking views of Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina — this multi-day trek includes steep inclines, uneven terrain, and muddy trails during the rainy season. All of which adds up to it requiring a basic-to-moderate level of fitness.

Along the way, you’ll pass through remote villages where ethnic communities live in stilt houses — expect to meet Black H’mong artisans, Red Dao herbalists, and Tay farmers.

How to get there

Chances are you’ll be heading from Hanoi and the good news is you have a few options when it comes to getting from Hanoi to Sapa.

The fastest way is to travel by road. The 317km journey typically takes around five hours if you travel in a private taxi or mini-van, and around six hours if you go with the cheaper bus option.

Most treks start in Sapa Town and can be organized by local guides or tour agencies.

Where to stay

A highlight of this trek — definitely one of the best hikes in Southeast Asia for culture vultures — is experiencing homestays with local families in villages like Ta Van (Tay minority), Lao Chai (Black H’mong), or Ta Phin (Red Dao).

These can be arranged through tour operators in Sapa.

Like the idea of having someone else handle booking your treks and transfers? Browse our Vietnam itineraries, and contact our local travel experts.

Mae Wang hill tribe hike, Chiang Mai, Thailand 

Distance: 20–30 kilometers (12–18 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2-3 days, with around 4–6 hours of hiking per day

Staying on the culture theme, we also rate the Mae Wang trek around Chiang Mai, Thailand, as being one of the best hikes in Southeast Asia. That’s thanks to it serving opportunities to mix adventure with visits to Karen villages.

Little wonder, then, that this is one of the most popular hill tribe treks in Thailand. 

Traversing lush bamboo forests, waterfalls and rice terraces, several villages of the Karen hill tribes are scattered along the route, and invite travelers to discover traditional ways of life, such as weaving and farming.

The trek itself involves gentle slopes, forested trails, and river crossings — it’s worth noting that some sections can be slippery, especially in the rainy season (June to October). 

That said, a basic level of fitness is sufficient.

How to get there

The trek begins near Mae Wang, which can be reached via a 1-hour drive south of Chiang Mai. 

Most tour operators in Chiang Mai can arrange transfers, guides and trekking packages.

Where to stay

If you’re thinking of taking a trekking tour from the city, dive into our guide to where to stay in Chiang Mai.

During the trek, your accommodation will be in Karen village homestays — think bamboo huts, with fresh local food prepared by your hosts.

Inspired to visit this region? Read up on the best things to do in Chiang Mai, and check out our Chiang Mai itineraries, which can be customised to include treks.

Mount Rinjani, Lombok, Indonesia

Distance: 25–35 kilometers (15–22 miles)
Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 3–4 days

Located on Lombok, Indonesia, Mount Rinjani is the second-highest volcano in the country.

As such, tackling its steep ascents, loose volcanic scree and rocky terrain on a  multi-day hike demands a good level of fitness, determination and stamina.

Something of a bucket-list destination for hiking enthusiasts, it’s also one of the top treks in Asia, delivering a mix of tropical rainforests, grassy savannahs, volcanic ridges and craters. 

As covered in our guide to Mount Rinjani, from the summit, you’ll be served spectacular views of Lombok, the Gili Islands and Bali’s Mount Agung, with the stunning turquoise Segara Anak another breath-taking highlight.

After your hike, be sure to rest up on the best beaches in Lombok.

How to get there

From international locations, fly to Lombok International Airport via Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur or Bali.

From Bali, taking a 30-minute domestic flight is the quickest option. Alternatively, ferries connect Bali to Lombok.

As for where to start your trek, there are trailheads in Senaru and Sembalun villages, both of which are accessible by car or shuttle from the airport (in 2–3 hours).

Where to Stay

Ahead of your trek, pick a place to stay in Sembalun or Senaru.

For example, Senaru’s Rinjani Lodge serves stunning views and upscale comfort, while Pondok Guru Bakti Cottages offers affordable basic accommodations.

During the trek, you’ll camp at designated sites along the trail — specialist local trekking agencies provide tents, sleeping bags and meals as part of guided packages.

Want more trip ideas? Browse our Indonesia itineraries, which can be customised to include Lombok.

Phou Hin Poun National Park, Laos

Distance: Varied options from 1-10km 
Difficulty: Moderate 
Duration: 1-4 hours, depending on the trail

Among the reasons Phou Hin Poun National Park, Laos, made it into our best hikes in Southeast Asia is the fact that it offers different hikes for different abilities.

Also known as Khammouane Limestone National Park, it presents a spectacular landscape of limestone karsts, dense jungle, caves and rivers that combine natural beauty with cultural exploration.

A top trail in the park is the Kong Lor Cave hike, which passes through lush jungle and farmland to a 7-kilometer-long limestone tunnel.

From the cave entrance, you can board a boat to see dramatic stalactites along underground river.

Meanwhile, culture vultures will want to visit Tham Pa Fa (Buddha Cave) — an easy 1km round hike that involves a forest walk, followed by ascending steps to a cave that houses 200+ bronze Buddha statues that were only discovered in 2004.

How to get there

From Vientiane, take a bus or van (5–6 hours) to Thakhek, the closest town to the park.

Then from Thakhek, either hire a tuk-tuk, motorbike, or join a tour to reach the park (1–2 hours).

Where to stay

For comfort and proximity to the park, stay at Thakhek Travel Lodge or Inthira Thakhek.

We also rate Spring River Resort — a tranquil riverside eco-lodge near Kong Lor.

Like the sound of Laos? Read our Laos travel tips , and take inspiration from our Laos itineraries.

Yeak Laom Lake, Cambodia

• Distance: 3 km (1.8 miles) circular lake trail 
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours to complete the loop

The dense forests covering the Ratanakiri district in northeast Cambodia sure aren’t easy to negotiate alone, so you’ll be glad to have a knowledgeable guide who can lead you to the most remote areas. 

One of these is the stunning Yeak Laom Lake, which fills a disused volcanic crater.

With some gentle inclines, the well-maintained trail is suitable for most fitness levels as it winds through dense tropical forests of towering trees and bamboo groves, while the lake itself is a pristine, emerald-colored body of water.

Being deeply connected to the indigenous Tampuan community, this region is also ideal for travelers who are keen to uncover culture, with five Tampuan villages to visit,

How to get there

From Phnom Penh, take a short domestic flight to Banlung (Ratanakiri Province) or an 8-10-hour bus ride, but not before you’ve enjoyed the best things to do in Phnom Penh – Cambodia’s underrated capital.

Yeak Laom Lake is only 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of Banlung, so you can simply hire a tuk-tuk, motorbike, or bike for the short journey.

Where to stay

Looking for upscale luxury? Check out Terres Rouges Lodge, which offers serene lakeside accommodation in Banlung.

At the other end of the scale, Banlung Backpackers Hostel is a great option for travelers on a budget, while Tree Top Eco-Lodge is a good in-between good option.

Keen to uncover Cambodia? Browse our Cambodia itineraries, which have been curated by our local experts, and wise up with our travel tips for visiting Cambodia.

Mount Kinabulu, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Distance: 8.7 kilometers (5.4 miles) from the Timpohon Gate starting point to the summit
Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 2 days

Concluding our presentation of some of the best hikes in Southeast Asia in epic style, here we share detail on an iconic trek to the summit of the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Namely, Mount Kinabalu, Sabah.

Located in Kinabalu Park UNESCO World Heritage Site, this hike serves stunning biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and a rewarding summit experience.

Traversing a smorgasbord of ecosystems — from lush tropical rainforests and montane forests, to barren alpine landscapes near the summit — the trail includes steep inclines, rocky paths, and altitude changes. 

Add to that having to scramble over granite slabs at the final summit section, and it’s clear why you need a good level of fitness level and stamina. 

Seeing the sunrise from Low’s Peak is a real highlight, with panoramic views stretching across the South China Sea and surrounding valleys. 

How to get there

From Kota Kinabalu, take a shuttle to Kinabalu Park Headquarters – the ride takes around about 2 hours from Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

The trek itself kicks off at Timpohon Gate, which is easily accessible from the HQ.

Where to stay

Before and after your hike, you could stay in the upscale Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, which are located within Kinabalu Park.

For something more mid-range, consider Kinabalu Pine Resort.

During your hike, you’ll stay overnight at Laban Rata Resthouse, which offers basic dormitories, hot meals and stunning views.

Into wildlife and nature? Read up on the best Borneo tours. 

And, if you now fancy enjoying some of the best hikes in Southeast Asia, use our inspirational trip ideas platform to start planning your perfect trip