Killer Hikes in Krabi

If you are a thrill-seeker, active climber, and love ocean views atop limestone cliffs, then you MUST go to Krabi. Located in the south of Thailand, Krabi is a beautiful oasis of jungle, ocean, and adventure. In February 2023, I was lucky enough to spend one week exploring the province of Krabi. This trip was the most athletic vacation I’ve ever had. Hiking, climbing, kayaking, and swimming, with very little rest in between. Here are some of the best hikes I embarked on my trip!

Dragon Crest Mountain

When I travel, I operate as a budget backpacker and usually opt for hostels in order to optimize my wallet and social opportunities. However, as a very extroverted person, I need to put conscious effort into spending time by myself, so I decided to start my trip at a quiet hotel on the far west side of Krabi alone. After a restful night, I woke up bright and early to climb Dragon Crest Mountain.

This trek was challenging, beautiful, and not for the faint of heart. I was scaling steep heights and sweating buckets for the 5-hour journey but it was totally worth it. I spent about an hour at the top of the mountain simply soaking in all of the amazing views. The 1014-foot (309-meter) summit of the hike boasts an incredible 360 view of the ocean and Krabi.

Tiger Cave Temple

The next day, I went into Krabi Town to Pak Up, which is now my most favorite hostel I have ever stayed in. After 2 days solo, I was beyond ready to socialize! One thing I love about hostels is that they host group activities every day. I signed up for a hike to Tiger Cave Temple, which was shockingly difficult. There are 1,260 stairs leading to the summit, and some of the stair risers are more than a foot (30 cm) high.

The temple gets its namesake from a tale about a monk who went into the cave to meditate and witnessed tigers roaming– there are even tiger paw prints on the cave walls! After visiting dozens of temples in Thailand, this one definitely stands out as the only temple that I have been to that is literally built on a cave and has tiger statues all around it. There are also a decent amount of monkeys around this area of Krabi, so if you do end up going there, be warned that they may snatch your valuables. Personally, I hate monkeys because they are scary and steal things, but if you think they are cute, go hang out with them at your own discretion.

Rock Climbing in Railay

My solo travels happily ended when one of my close college friends, Gigi, came down to Krabi to join me! Gigi won the Minerva Fellowship teaching placement alongside Anna: they were living in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and working at The Global Child. Once Gigi arrived, I picked her up from the airport and we started our adventure together.

Gigi and I went to Railay Beach which is universally regarded as one of the best spots in all of Thailand. With mountain views from a gorgeous beach, it’s hard to beat the chill vibes on Railay. Since the only way to get to Railay is via boat, there are no motorized vehicles which makes the location extra serene.

One notable thing about Railay is that it is a world-renowned rock-climbing destination in Thailand. There are big cliffs that surround Railay which provide climbing opportunities to every type of climber. Gigi and I signed up with a guide for a rock climb on the ocean, which is just as spectacular as it sounds.

The last time I had been rock climbing was at Rock Ventures for a birthday party when I was 10 years old, so I opted for the beginner’s climb. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was able to climb (harnessed in and following instructions from our guide, of course). The limestone cliff was easy to grip and the breeze from the salty ocean made the 90°F (32°C) temperature bearable. Locals and tourists alike climbed along the ocean. We watched experts free-climbing the cliffs, which is a massively impressive feat, to say the least. This rock climbing experience in Railay definitely inspired me to get into the hobby!

Ao Nang Massive Climb and Hike Adventure

On our final day in Krabi, Gigi and I went to Ao Nang to embark on the Ao Nang Massive Climb and Hike Adventure. I have done a lot of wild things in my 24 years on this earth, but I can say with full confidence that this hike was the craziest thing I have ever done.

The hike took 5 hours in total and was an absolutely insane hiking and rock climbing experience. Our guide was Rose, a Thai woman who is an expert climber and hiker. She is an impressive and fearless woman who built this course herself while free climbing and installing foot and hand holds on the side of this mountain. Gigi and I climbed alongside one German couple, and all of us supported each other as we reached 820-feet (250-meters) at the peak of the mountain. As mentioned before, I am not a climber by any means, so this experience pushed me entirely out of my comfort zone. But once we reached the summit of the climb, I was stunned by the 360 panoramic views of the ocean and Krabi.

Through all of the hikes I did, I really saw the province from every single angle.