Thailand Motorcycle Day-Trips & Tour Routes | 6 Scenic Rides in Northern Thailand
By Daniel | Founder & Lead Guide, Bike Tour Asia
(Last updated October 27, 2025)
Ride the best scenic loops in Northern Thailand — from the iconic Mae Hong Son to the Golden Triangle. Premium guided and self-guided tours on BMW & Triumph motorcycles.
Explore Northern Thailand’s 6 Best Scenic Motorbike Day-Trips
Northern Thailand is a dream for motorcyclists — a place of endless curves, dramatic mountains, and authentic hill-tribe culture. Whether you have just a few days or over a week, these six curated routes are designed to give you the most memorable motorbike experiences in Asia.
All rides begin and end in
Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of the north, and can be taken as
guided group rides or
self-guided adventures with our GPS route packs and local support.
1. The Famous Mae Hong Son Loop
Duration:
3 Days
| Road Difficulty:
Good quality roads with tight switchbacks
If you have limited time but want the classic Northern Thailand ride, this is the one. The Mae Hong Son Loop is one of the world’s great motorbike circuits, featuring 1,864 bends across a 300 km mountain stretch of the Himalayan foothills.
You’ll pass charming villages, rice paddies, and misty valleys — a perfect blend of adventure and culture.
Top Attractions & Sightseeing
Pai • Ban Rak Thai (Chinese village) • Long Neck Hill Tribe • Doi Inthanon (National Park & Highest Mountain in Thailand)
Why we love it:
Iconic roads, lush landscapes, and that feeling of riding through the sky on perfect tarmac.
2. The ‘Greater’ Mae Hong Son Loop
Duration:
4 Days
| Road Difficulty: Good roads with rural sections and steep switchbacks
If you have more time, you can expand the
Mae Hong Son motorcycle tour by another day and explore the roads along the Myanmar–Thai border toward the riverside town of Mae Sariang. Expect serene countryside, misty mountain views, and welcoming local towns.
Top Attractions & Sightseeing:
Pai • Ban Rak Thai • Long Neck Hill Tribe • Doi Inthanon • Mae Sariang • Sunflower Fields (seasonal)
Why we love it:
Same legendary roads, but with more mountain miles and less traffic, a rider’s dream.
3. Unseen Lanna Kingdom
Duration: 5 Days | Road Difficulty: Mainly rural two-lane roads with varied surfaces and plenty of curves
This
5-day Northern Thailand motorcycle tour takes you on lesser-used routes through the Golden Triangle and remote northern provinces. From Chiang Mai (the “Rose of the North”), we warm up with the Samoeng Loop, then ride north to Thaton at the Myanmar border. The journey continues through tea plantations of Doi Mae Salong, the royal palace at Doi Tung, and the confluence of Thailand, Laos & Myanmar at the Mekong River.
Another highlight is the climb to Phu Chi Fa, a remote summit with panoramic sunrise views and little traffic, which is every rider’s dream. The route back passes through Nan, Bo Kluea, and the lakeside town of Phayao.
Top Attractions & Sightseeing
Samoeng Loop • Doi Mae Salong • Golden Triangle • Mekong River • Phu Chi Fa • Nan Mountains • Bo Kluea Salt Wells
Why we love it: Remote roads, real Lanna culture, and jaw-dropping vistas few tourists ever see.
4. Golden Triangle & Mae Hong Son Loop
Duration: 6 Days
| Road Difficulty: All tarmac — mix of mountain passes and rural two-lanes
This 6-day Thailand motorcycle tour combines two legendary routes, which are the
Mae Hong Son Loop and the
Golden Triangle region. It’s an exceptional opportunity to experience the diversity of Northern Thailand while riding some of the world’s most scenic motorcycling roads. Along the Myanmar–Thai border, countless viewpoints invite photo stops.
The route also visits one of Thailand’s most iconic landmarks, the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) near Chiang Rai.
Top Attractions & Sightseeing
White Temple • Phu Chi Fa • Golden Triangle • Mekong River • Mae Sai • Doi Tung • 1,864 Curves • Long Neck Hill Tribe •
Highest mountain in Thailand (Doi Inthanon - 2,565m)
Why we love it:
Two bucket-list rides in one — a comprehensive Northern Thailand motorcycle experience.
5. Amazing Land of Lanna
Duration:
8 Days
| Road Difficulty:
All tarmac, mountain passes, and rural curves
This
8-day Thailand motorcycle tour lets you fully immerse yourself in the rhythm of Northern life. With an optional rest day in
Chiang Rai, riders can explore the city on foot or tuk-tuk, or enjoy a spa and pool break. Those craving more saddle time can opt for a relaxed half-day loop through scenic backroads, crossing the Mae Suai Dam causeway.
Top Attractions & Sightseeing:
White Temple • Phu Chi Fa • Golden Triangle • Mekong River • Mae Sai • Doi Tung • 1,864 Curves • Long Neck Hill Tribe • Doi Inthanon
Why we love it:
Perfect balance of riding and rest — ideal for longer vacations or group tours.
6. Rolling Over Northern Thailand
Duration:
11 Days
| Road Difficulty:
All tarmac, mix of mountain passes and rural roads
This
11-day Thailand motorcycle expedition is the ultimate northern adventure, covering every famed region and road of the
Lanna Kingdom. When time is no limit, this extended loop takes riders south to
Sukhothai
(Thailand’s ancient capital) and along the Myanmar border to
Mae Sot. Expect sweeping valleys, river crossings, and endless mountain horizons.
A two-night stay is built in, giving you time to rest or take a short local day loop before continuing your ride.
Top Attractions & Sightseeing
Myanmar Border Ride • Salawin River • Sukhothai Heritage Park • Sirikit Dam • Nan Mountains • Bo Kluea Salt Wells • Mekong River • White Temple • Phu Chi Fa • Mae Sai • Golden Triangle • 1,864 Curves • Doi Inthanon
Why we love it:
The definitive Northern Thailand motorcycle expedition,
a ride of a lifetime.
Practical Information for Riders
- Best Riding Season: November–February (dry and cool). June–October offers lush green views, but expect occasional rain.
- Motorcycles Available: BMW R1250 GS, F750 GS, Triumph Tiger 900 GT, and more — meticulously maintained.
- Licensing & Permits: International Driving Permit required for foreign riders. We assist with paperwork and insurance.
- Support & Safety: All routes are fully tarmac; a support vehicle is available for guided tours. We supply helmets and safety briefings before departure.
What Riders Say
Our tours hold 4.9 stars on TripAdvisor
and are ranked among Thailand’s most trusted motorcycle experiences.
Riders praise our well-planned routes, professional guides, and the unique blend of adventure and comfort.
Join a Guided Tour
Whether for 3 days or up to 11 days, we have the
Thailand motorcycle tour experience waiting for you on one of our premium BMW or Triumph motorcycles.
Gather your riding buddies and make it a group adventure to remember.
Do any of our tours as a self-guided motorcycle ride with our expert GPS prep and route planning, or add one of our certified Thailand motorcycle guides (Thai & English speaking) to lead the way.
Always enjoy the ride!
-The Bike Tour Asia Team
About the Author
Daniel Cenikar, founder of Bike Tour Asia, has over a decade of riding and guiding experience across Thailand, Laos, and the Himalayas. He’s led over 100 international riders through Northern Thailand’s curves and believes the region offers Asia’s finest combination of riding and culture.
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