Trekking is one of the most accessible activities travellers can enjoy in Southeast Asia. It requires no expensive equipment and no special skills. All you need to experience some of the region’s most exciting adventures is a decent pair of shoes and a little stamina (and sometimes a local guide).
The landscapes in this part of the world are incredibly diverse. This means that trekking in Southeast Asia includes jungle trails, mountain treks and volcano hikes. There is also charming countryside, ancient rice terraces and dramatic karst landscapes to explore, while hill-tribe trekking allows travellers to connect with local peoples and cultures.
And it’s not only the breathtaking scenery and cultural exchanges that make hiking in Southeast Asia so thrilling. There’s plenty of opportunities for spotting wonderful wildlife too!
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A Guide to Hiking in Southeast Asia
An overview of trekking in Southeast Asia listed alphabetically by country.
🇧🇳 Brunei
Perhaps not at the top of everyone’s Southeast Asia travel list, Brunei doesn’t jump out as a top hiking destination. However, you may be surprised to learn that jungle cloaks more than 80% of the country! Much of it is pristine rainforest making it an excellent place for jungle trekking.
Ulu Temburong National Park
The Ulu Temburong National Park (known as the Green Jewel of Borneo) is rich in plant- and wildlife and a visit here is almost guaranteed to include sightings of proboscis monkeys, Borneo’s long-nosed primate. The park’s canopy walk offers panoramic views over the forest and across Borneo as you travel amongst the treetops, 60 metres above the forest floor.
🇰🇭 Cambodia
Cambodia may not be a hiking hotspot but that’s exactly what makes trekking here so rewarding. With amazing wildlife and little-explored regions, adventurous travellers are in for a treat. For hikers looking for off-the-beaten-track trekking experiences Cambodia delivers.
Ratanakiri Province
Banlung, the capital of Ratanakiri Province in northeast Cambodia, is a good base for discovering the nearby trails and Cambodia’s wilder side. The Virachey National Park, bordering Laos and Vietnam, is exceptionally rich in wildlife and one of the best places to spot wild elephants in Southeast Asia. Sprawling over more than 3,000 sq km, much of the park is not yet fully explored and romps through the dense tropical jungle are both thrilling and challenging. Very lucky hikers may even spy the elusive clouded leopard or sun bear.
In contrast to the rainforest-clad Virachey, the Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary to the south of Banlung is a dry forest. This area is great for birdwatching and wild gibbons are also a major attraction. On the edge of Banlung Town, the short loop around Yeak Laom lake is a relatively accessible trail, and a swim in its clear waters is a very appealing post-hike reward.
Cardamom Mountains
Tucked in the southwest corner of Cambodia, the Cardamom Mountains are a little-visited area of the country. Intrepid travellers prepared to venture here can enjoy unspoiled rainforest and excellent hiking opportunities off the usual tourist path. Gateway to the region is the traditional village of Chi Phat. The Chi Phat Community Eco-Tourism Project enables residents to make a living through sustainable tourism and visitors to experience Cambodia’s traditions, nature and wildlife in an ethical way. There are more than a dozen different treks to tackle with varying levels of difficulty and ranging from one-day walks to week-long hikes. The trails here provide a wealth of adventure, including waterfalls, wildlife-spotting at waterholes, meeting traditional mountain communities and visiting ancient burial jars.
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Indonesia claims the title for having the most active volcanoes on the planet. These rumbling, puffing mountains create dramatic and otherworldly landscapes and provide some of Southeast Asia’s most exciting hiking destinations. As one of the planet’s few megadiverse countries, it’s also a fantastic place for walking among wildlife.
Sumatra
Sumatra is a volcanic hotspot and offers plenty of trekking opportunities. Volcano hikes on Sumatra include Gunung Sibayak, one of the country’s most accessible volcanoes, and the more challenging Gunung Sinabung. (Gunung means mountain in Bahasa Indonesia.)
Fiery mountains aside, Sumatra is also a spectacular wildlife trekking destination. It is one of only two islands in the world where you can see orangutans in the wild (the other is Borneo). If you’re hoping to get a peek of our hairy cousins, the best place for jungle trekking is Gunung Leuser National Park, accessed via Bukit Lawang. The park is also home to the Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhinoceros and Sumatran elephant!
👉🏼 Recommended Hike: Orangutan Eco Jungle Trek from Bukit Lawang 🦧
Java
Java is the most volcanically active island in Indonesia and the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in the east of the island is the country’s most spectacular volcanic landscape. It is home to two popular volcanoes for hiking: Gunung Bromo and Gunung Semeru. Gunung Merapi in Central Java and Gunung Ijen on the island’s eastern tip are two other hikeable peaks. The blue flames of Kawah Ijen are one of Indonesia’s most impressive and unusual sights.
Bali and Lombok
Bali and Lombok are Indonesia’s most visited islands. And while they have nothing like the number of volcanoes that Sumatra and Java boast (they are significantly smaller for a start), each island has its own volcano-trekking experience to offer. Bali’s Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung are popular half day or one-day hikes respectively. For more of a challenge, the trek up Gunung Rinjani on Lombok takes around three days. In each case, most hikers aim to reach the summit for sunrise to enjoy unrivalled views over Indonesian islands.
👉🏼 Recommended Hike: Trek Mount Rinjani 🌋
🥾 Also read: Guide to trekking Mount Rinjani
Komodo National Park
While the trails in the Komodo National Park may not be particularly challenging, the views are sensational and the wildlife unique. These islands are the only place in the world that you can see the famed Komodo dragon.
🇱🇦 Laos
The landscape of northern Laos is defined by karst-dotted countryside, winding rivers and turquoise waterfalls and it’s here that you’ll find the country’s best trekking. Many of Laos’ minority ethnic groups live among the northern hills and treks here can include cultural encounters. As one of the cheapest countries to travel in Southeast Asia, Laos is a fabulous option for budget-minded hikers.
Luang Namtha
Some of the best trails are found in the Province of Luang Namtha. The riverside town of Luang Namtha is the perfect base from which to explore some of Laos’ most jaw-dropping scenery. (In Laos, it is common for a province and the provincial capital town to have the same name.)
The Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area is a superb trekking destination offering hikers the chance to get up close with Laos’ diverse flora and fauna. Treks in this region also offer opportunities to meet some of the hill tribes that make their home here, including the Khmu people.
👉🏼 Recommended Hike: Nam Oun Wilderness Trek 🏕️
🥾 Read more about trekking in Luang Namtha here.
Nong Khiaw
Sitting on the banks of the Nam Ou River, Nong Khiaw is set amongst some of the most striking scenery in the region. The best way to appreciate the gorgeous vistas is to hike up to one of the numerous viewpoints. The area is crisscrossed with hiking trails and taking day trips from Nong Khiaw is a great way to experience the beauty and tranquility of the Loatian countryside.
Safety Warning ⚠️
When trekking in Laos, always stick to the marked hiking trails. The country was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War and unexploded ordnance (UXO) may still be present in some places.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Two of Earth’s three most ancient rainforests are found in Malaysia making it one of the best countries in Southeast Asia for jungle trekking. Rare wildlife is also a major draw for hikers in both Peninsular and Bornean Malaysia. For hikers keen to avoid the worst of the humidity and tropical heat, Malaysia also offers pleasant and easily accessible hikes among cool tea plantations.
Cameron Highlands, Peninsular Malaysia
For more than a century, the cool climes of the Cameron Highlands have drawn visitors looking to escape Malaysia’s hot season. Originally developed as a Hill Station by the British during colonial times, several hiking trails were developed here in the 1960s for patrolling the area. Today, the Cameron Highlands are one of the most accessible hiking destinations in Southeast Asia. The trails are free to access and possible to complete independently. Rolling hills blanketed in tea plantations are the hallmark of the area, but hikers can also expect to encounter mossy forests, Orang Asli villages and mountain peaks.
🥾 Read our complete guide to hiking in the Cameron Highlands.
Taman Negara, Peninsular Malaysia
The largest tract of jungle in Peninsular Malaysia and one of the most ancient rainforests on the planet, Taman Negara is a prime trekking location. There are a variety of trails from one-day hikes to the week-long trek to the summit of Gunung Tahan (the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia).
Hikers can traverse the canopy walkway, explore bat caves, shoot river rapids and even spend the night in an animal hide in Malaysia’s largest national park. Taman Negara feels like one of Southeast Asia’s most adventurous trekking destinations. The saying ‘getting back to nature’ never rings more true than when you’re following a guide macheteing a path through the jungle or sleeping in a bat-filled cave. Hiking here is a rugged but thrilling affair, just make sure to look out for the leeches!
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
If you’re keen to do some mountain trekking in Southeast Asia, there’s no better place than the Malaysian state of Sabah on the island of Borneo. Here you will find the mighty Mount Kinabalu. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t the highest peak in Southeast Asia (Myanmar’s Hkakabo Razi takes that crown), but at 4,095 m.a.s.l. summiting this mountain is still an impressive feat.
Away from the mountain, Sabah is also a place for fantastic jungle trekking in the world’s second-oldest rainforest. Home to endemic species, including orangutans, clouded leopards and pygmy elephants, the Bornean jungle offers some of the most amazing wildlife-spotting opportunities in Southeast Asia.
👉🏼 Recommended Hike: Mount Kinabalu Trek 🗻
🥾 Also read: Guide to hiking Mount Kinabalu.
🇲🇲 Myanmar
Myanmar’s Shan State is the most accessible and popular place for trekking in the country where hikers can encounter rolling countryside, hill tribes and beautiful lakes. Note that a guide is usually either obligatory or strongly recommended for hiking in Myanmar.
Kalaw
The hill town of Kalaw provides access to several hiking trails that allow trekkers to get out into the Burmese countryside. Passing through hills and local villages, hiking the trails here is a great way to get an insight into rural life and encounter some of the country’s minority ethnic groups, including the Palaung, Danu, Taung Yoe and Pao-O peoples. The most popular route in this region is the three-day hike from Kalaw to Inle Lake.
Hsipaw
Situated along the banks of the Dokhtawady River, Hsipaw is perhaps Myanmar’s most popular hiking destination. The surrounding hills are ripe for exploration on foot and hikers can also discover the many local villages and riverside monasteries. The most popular hike from Hsipaw is the route to the Palaung village Pan Kam where hikers can spend the night.
🇵🇭 Philippines
The Philippines is best known for its exquisite beaches and incredible diving, and while it may not be a prime trekking destination, there is one stand out exception. The ancient rice terraces found in the hills of central Luzon, the largest island in the archipelago, are widely regarded as one of the most picturesque hiking spots in Southeast Asia.
Banaue, Luzon
Banaue delights visitors with its verdant rolling hills and undulating rice fields. Having been carved out of the hillsides by Ifugao tribespeople 2,000 years ago, these ancient rice terraces are an impressive feat of engineering! There are several clusters of rice fields in the Province of Ifugao, which collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most famous are the Batad Rice Terraces in Banaue. There are plenty of hiking trails in the region, all of which allow trekkers to take in the exceptional views and get up close with living heritage.
🇸🇬 Singapore
Despite being a city-state, Singapore is surprisingly green. In fact it’s known as the Garden City and almost half of the country is covered in green space, some of which is primary rainforest! There are several nature reserves and parks with many hiking trails creating easy access to nature in the heart of a metropolis.
Central Catchment Nature Reserve
Singapore’s largest and most central nature reserve offers easy access to jungle hikes, albeit rather tame. There are over 20 km of trails crisscrossing 2,000 hectares of forest. The trails are easy to complete independently and include the popular TreeTop Walk where hikers can cross between the reserve’s two highest points at canopy level.
🇹🇭 Thailand
Northern Thailand is well-known for hill-tribe trekking, providing excellent opportunities to engage with the local ethnic groups. In the south of the country national parks provide some of the most accessible jungle trekking in the region.
Chiang Mai and Pai
The city of Chiang Pai and the small town of Pai are both excellent bases for exploring the Thai countryside, jungle trails and remote villages. Trekkers in this region may encounter Hmong, Karen, Lisu and Lahu tribes, who have been living in northern Thailand for hundreds of years since their emigration from countries such as Tibet, China and Mongolia.
The Doi Inathon National Park, home of the country’s highest mountain, is a favoured trekking spot, as are the areas of Chiang Dao, Mae Tang and Mae Tang. The Nam Lod Cave hike in Soppong near Pai is one for cave enthusiasts. The two-day trek allows hikers to explore a waterfall, a hill-tribe village and one of the longest cave systems in Asia!
👉🏼 Recommended Hike: Doi Inathon Trekking Adventure and Homestay 🌳
🥾 Read our complete guide to trekking around Chiang Mai.
Khao Sok National Park
Easily accessible and with trails that can be hiked independently, Khao Sok National Park is a good place to dip your toe into jungle trekking. Armed with a basic map (picked up for free from the park headquarters) hikers can head off into the park along the easy-to-follow track. The park is alive with wildlife including plenty of monkeys, and short detours off the main trail reveal hidden waterfalls. Those wanting to head deeper into the park can hire a guide. The park is also one of the few places you can spot rafflesia, the world’s largest flower and also known as the corpse flower thanks to the stink it emits!
👉🏼 Recommended Hike: Khao Sok Floating Bungalow and Jungle Trekking Experience 🏞️
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Vietnam may be better known for two-wheeled adventures, but it also boasts a couple of locations that are best for exploring on two feet. The landscapes in the mountainous north are a quintessential image of the country with their lush rice terraces and traditional villages, while immense cave systems offer a very different view of Vietnam.
Sapa
One of Southeast Asia’s most famous trekking destinations, Sapa sits among the hills of northwest Vietnam. These days the town itself is somewhat of a tourist trap, but the surrounding countryside remains as enticing as ever.
Picture rolling hills covered in jade-coloured rice paddies shrouded in morning mist. This is the landscape you’ll hike through as you discover tucked-away villages and meet some of the local tribes that call Sapa their home, including the Black H’mong and Red Dzao peoples. Many treks around Sapa, offer the opportunity to stay with a local family, which is a great way to connect more deeply with the people and culture!
The region is also where you’ll find Indochina’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan. Hiking to the summit is a challenging two-day climb that rewards climbers with spectacular views over the Sapa Valley.
👉🏼 Recommended Hike: Real Sapa Trek & Homestay 🌾
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and location of the world’s largest cave (Hang Son Doong), Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park offers unique hiking opportunities. The park is studded with vast karsts within which are huge cave systems and is known to be home to dozens of mammal species, including monkeys, tigers and elephants. Due to the presence of UXO, it’s not possible to hike solo in the park, but guided hikes combine jungle trekking with caving — perfect for hikers who also love a little spelunking! While tours of Hang Son Doong are prohibitively expensive, the popular Phong Nha Cave (one of the world’s longest) is a fantastic alternative.
From the depths of the rainforest to the summit of mountains and the craters of active volcanoes, treks in Southeast Asia are as diverse as they are awe-inspiring.
Ancient cultures, endemic wildlife and hidden landmarks are all made accessible by hiking trails. And all you have to do to enjoy them is simply put one foot in front of the other!
Lisa Barham
Having always dreamt of travelling the world, Lisa finally decided to follow that dream in her mid-thirties when she left her nine-to-five in London for life on the road. After trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal and learning to surf in Sri Lanka, she headed for wondrous Southeast Asia, where she can currently be found solo backpacking, navigating through life and unfamiliar streets.
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