Krabi and the entire south of Thailand are just surrounded by waterfalls, and though most of them are inaccessible there are a couple you can reach in Krabi without too much effort.
If you want a tour to this waterfall, which can also include stops at Wat Tum Sua (Tiger Cave Temple) and Wat Tum Sang Pet (Diamond cave temple) Buddhist temples, contact Son at Son’s Krabi Taxi service.
Hot Waterfall and Hot Springs
There are a number of naturally heated hot springs (40C-45C) in the Krabi area. These are the main attraction for tourists and are a great way to pass a 1/2 day with a tour group.
The hot waterfall, Nam Tok Lon or Ron in Thai is not much of a waterfall really, but worth seeing. It is located in the Klong Thom district about 40 km from Krabi town. The temperature of the water is quite warm, but most people can get in.
At the Hot Waterfall, hot water rises from several springs and flows through a forest until it tumbles down a bluff into a stream. Over the course of hundreds of years, the minerals dissolved in the water have been deposited on the rocks in such a way as to form large deep pools of water. The sides of the pools are so steep that they don’t seem natural, but they are.
One of the major minerals found in the water is copper, which gives the stony deposits a dark green color. The forest, deep warm water, it’s all very relaxing. While soaking in the water is considered good for you, be sure you don’t drink it. In addition to copper and fluoride, the water also contains traces of lead.
Huay Toh Waterfall – Tub Prik District of Krabi
The first waterfall on your list will be the major one in Krabi. It’s named, “Huay Toh Waterfall” and it’s located outside of Krabi town about 25km or so. It’s an excellent motorbike ride to get out there and highly recommended. The Krabi Eco Tour bicycle place has tours there if you feel like riding the 20km out to the waterfall – on a paved road. There are some dogs to contend with – just FYI.
Huay Toh waterfall is part of the Khao Phanom Bencha national park in Krabi. Khao Phanom is a 4000+ feet mountain that feeds the stream that forms this waterfall. Hiking is available to the peak – but only during the dry season from Jan to April. Problem is – it’s also the hot season and that’s quite a climb!
Huay Toh is at it’s most beautiful during the rainy season. If you come between August and October you’ll probably see it at it’s best. During the other months, it’s also quite nice because it’s quiet and you can swim in one of the nice pools of water that collect.
There are a number of levels to the waterfall. Some say 11 levels to this falls. I’m not sure that could be correct. I have climbed up to 3 levels. I was at what I assumed was the top but some locals told me there were many more levels after a hike through the jungle.
I set off hiking – but never found the other levels. So, stop at 3 unless you’re really feeling adventurous. I couldn’t even find a path after a while!
The pools found at each level are named: Wang Tewada (Angel Pool), Wang Sok (Year Pool) and Wang Jan (Platter Pool (plate)).
Hours open: 0800 to 1700 (5pm). They like to start gathering people up by 16:30 because it’s a big park and they want to have everyone out by 1700.
Cost: There is a nominal fee for entry into almost all Thailand national parks and Huay Toh is no exception. The charge was 200 THB last time I went, and free it appears for locals. They charged my wife 40 baht I think it was.
There are several more levels after the third. We made the mistake of climbing up and then not fancying the climb down the wet rocks etc. Eventually got to the top after about 1.5hrs of climbing through slippy treacherous terrain with shear drops and other challenges. You have to then cross the pool and climb up one level to get to the point that the viewpoint path would have brought you to. There is then another 1.5hrs down the other side, again lots of potential for falls and slips. There are no signs and no park guides around so if you do fall you are in big trouble. If I were to do again I would not venture past the third level unless you have a guide, the proper kit (ie not flip flops and a sarong) and definitely dont do it after a rain storm.