Route 1269 starts close to the Caffe del Cassa where the regular morning rides start and slowly winds its way up, down and round towards Samoeng. The scenery on this ride is spectacular at any time of year so it’s worth stopping at the viewpoints to take it all in and take some photos. After about 10 kms the first climbs start and slowly get harder and harder. Fast descents help to cool you off before the next challenge. Once you get to the first sign for Samoeng the hardest part is out of the way and soon you will be turning right at the police box onto the 1096 to start the final climb which takes you above Mae Rim. There’s a viewpoint just before the start of the descent into Mae Rim which is popular with tourists and you might be able to get a coffee from a mobile vendor depending on the time of year. As you descend down another good coffee stop is at the Mae Sa elephant camp: just look out for lots of cars and minibuses on the right. On a bicycle this is without doubt a very tough 90 km ride no matter what you compare it with. It’s not only popular with cyclists as motorcyclists have it top of their list and call it “The best 100 kms loop in Northern Thailand”. The route is often ridden counter clockwise – when you get towards the end you have to climb the switchbacks (about 7 hairpin bends) which is a tough call. A great training route for those riders into racing/hard training; a great leisure ride for the tourist.
The best time to ride the loop is early in the morning: in the hot season, well it gets too hot; during the rainy season you’ll get away with it most mornings and then during the cool season you’ve got all day. If you run out of water, or need to top up, the police in the police box at the right hand turn are very helpful! Take an energy bar or banana with you as there are no shops at the highest points of the ride. A wind jacket in your back pocket may be useful for the big descents.
Below: Enjoying a coffee before the descent into Mae Rim
Interactive Map
View The Samoeng Loop in a larger map