Walking trails in the national parks

Does anyone have any information on walking trails in these national parks?

Phu Pha Lek National Park
Phu Phan National Park
Nam Phong National Park
Phu Wiang National Park

I have seen the national park websites - and your discussions on double pricing!
I am looking for walks of between 10 and 16 km with a good chance of seeing wild life and flowers.
Proposed time of visit is December and January.

Any comments on the bungalows or camping at these parks?

Also does anyone have comments on vaccinations needed for visitors walking these trails?
Are vaccinations for Japanese encephalitis and rabies needed? (bats in caves are a risk?)

Would anyone recommend other walking trails in the area of Udon for wildlife and flowers?

Thanks for your help.

Hi Moorlandwalker.
Welcome to the forum. Over the last 3 years I have been visiting the National Parks here in Thailand for hiking & camping and during that time I have found very little information more than what is available on the websites (which is minimal). Hiking is not very popular in Thailand so the demand for information and maps is low. (even though there are many beautiful National Parks)

The best thing to do is drive to the national park HQ and ask for information when you get there. Sometimes they have very very basic maps, but usually they have trails that are signposted.

The more popular National Parks (such as Phu Kradung and Phu Ruea) have everything you need including bungalows, camping equipment, restaurants etc.

If you go to one of the parks you mentioned (not popular per se, but just as beautiful and interesting, they will have no amenities beyond a park HQ and a car park (and maybe a toilet). If you go there, basically take what you need. If you are going for just a day, then take whatever you need for a day hike (including proper hiking boots and food etc.)
If you want to go camping then you pretty much have to take everything with you also. You can camp anywhere you want in these National Parks (it's not like back home where there are rules about camping). I have been camping quite a few times and the only rule they have is NO GUNS!! So you have to take with you all the gear you need.

I'm not sure about vaccinations. I haven't had any for 10 years. Just make sure you cover up well - especially at night. But it's not too bad when you are camping - you make a fire, which keeps most things away, and your tent will keep you protected at night.

And yes, there are plenty more trails and National Parks around here. In a few weeks I'm going up to NaYung-NamSom National Park In the NW of Udon. http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/st ... d=239&lg=2
I can't find much information on it except there is a large waterfall. The website says there is... "wild boar, common muntjac, macaque, langur,squirrel, clouded monitor, snakes and birds." I'm not sure if I'll see any, but should be fun. I've not decided whether to go for the day or go camping yet.

If you need any more information just ask. I will post some photos of my next trip to give you an idea of what it's like.

Maybe we could meet up and go for a trip - 10-16 km sounds like my kind of hike.

All the best
Nick

Thanks Nick, that is an excellent start. Look forward to the pictures.

A supplementary question.
I see that park rangers can sometimes be available as guides for walking trails that are not well waymarked. What would be a suitable tip to pay such a guide for the day?

Thanks
Peter

My thoughts after a fortnight of walking, cycling and touring with a pick up.
The best map to use is the Garmin GPS map of Thailand, which seems to show all the roads and dirt tracks. Small tracks and minor roads provide excellent routes to explore on foot or bicycle. For a longer stay, unless you insist on the latest western cycle technology, buy a bicycle from Tesco, but check it is not a design which falls over when you take your hand of the handlebars as you push it along. I found this perfectly adequate for exploring and photography.
The parks provide excellent short trails to viewpoints, but the access roads can be busy at weekends. I didn't find much evidence of longer trails in the parks other than tracks shown on the garmin maps.
I saw far more wildlife round the Lake and River at Kumphawapi than anywhere else. The raised embankment provides an excellent vantage point for cycling and photography.
More details and photographs on my website at:
http://www.peter-thomson.co.uk/explore_ ... index.html

Hope others find that useful.

Peter

Thanks for that. I was looking for a traditional map really.