Huay Tung Tao cycling from Chiang Mai is the flat ride: 34 km out and back from Suthep Road, about 2 km west of the Old City, with one lap of the lake road and less than 100 m of climbing in total. The lake is also written Huay Tueng Thao. I rode it on Saturday 1 February 2020 with a cycling friend, just to discover a new flat route. It became 57 km: we ended up riding the lake road eight times, and finished with lunch in town.
| Distance | 34 km with one lap of the lake (about 3.7 km per lap); our ride with 8 laps was 57 km |
| Climbing | less than 100 m: between about 310 and 370 m above sea level |
| Our time | start 8:26, first lap 9:53, last lap done 11:50, lunch around 12:30 |
| At the lake | giant straw figures in the Huay Tueng Thao Sculpture Park, drinks and fresh coconuts, restaurants on the water |
| Lunch | Cafe de Oasis, Nong Ho Road |
Huay Tung Tao cycling route: GPX and elevation profile
The GPX starts and ends on Suthep Road, about 2 km west of the Old City, follows our Strava track north to the lake, does one lap of the lake road and comes back past Cafe de Oasis. Add as many laps as you like. It works on a Garmin or Wahoo and in Komoot, Organic Maps or OsmAnd.
Download GPX (34 km)Open in Google Maps
Google My Maps: KML file
Why ride to Huay Tung Tao Lake
Most rides around Chiang Mai go up: Doi Suthep, Doi Pui, the Samoeng Loop. This one does not. The road north to the lake is flat, and the road around the lake is a short loop you can ride again and again. That makes it a good ride for an easy day, for a first ride after you arrive, or for training laps. On our way out we shared the road with a flock of sheep and goats.
At the lake: giant straw figures and food on the water
Around the lake you ride past huge figures made of straw, standing in the fields along the water: the Huay Tueng Thao Sculpture Park (Google Maps). We stopped for drinks, a fresh coconut and water. There are restaurants on the water too, a good place to eat if you come back from the Samoeng Loop or if you just ride out for lunch.
Lunch on the way back: Cafe de Oasis
On the way back we stopped for lunch at Cafe de Oasis on Nong Ho Road (Google Maps): fresh juice, eggs and coffee. Still open in October 2026; check the opening hours on Google Maps before you ride.
The day before the Samoeng Loop, twice
This flat ride was on Saturday 1 February 2020. The next day I rode the Samoeng Loop twice in one day, 162 km. If you are in Chiang Mai for a while and want to ride hills, the lake is a good easy day in between: Samoeng Loop cycling, Doi Suthep cycling or Doi Pui cycling.
More cycling and Chiang Mai
- Samoeng Loop cycling: 81 km with GPX
- Doi Suthep cycling: the 10.7 km climb to the temple (GPX)
- Doi Pui cycling: all the way up to 1,537 m (44 km, GPX)
- Cycling tours in Chiang Mai
- Our Thailand guide
FAQ
Is the ride to Huay Tung Tao Lake flat?
Yes. Our 34 km GPX has less than 100 m of climbing, between about 310 and 370 m above sea level.
How long is the Huay Tung Tao lake loop?
About 3.7 km on our track. We rode eight laps, between 9:53 and 11:50, including a stop for a coconut.
Is there food at Huay Tung Tao Lake?
Yes, there are restaurants on the water, and drinks and fresh coconuts.
Where to have lunch after the ride?
We went to Cafe de Oasis on Nong Ho Road, on the way back into town; it was still open in October 2026.
Distance and times: our own Strava recording (1 February 2020, Strava). Heights: Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (© DLR e.V. 2010-2014 and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2014-2018, provided under COPERNICUS by the European Union and ESA), checked against SRTM and ASTER, not the altitude of the watch. Checked 26 October 2026.
){kind=link}