How to reach phi phi viewpoint?

How to reach phi phi viewpoint: Essential path and steps

Embarking on the how to reach phi phi viewpoint journey rewards travelers with breathtaking panoramic island vistas. Navigating the tropical walking route properly helps outdoor enthusiasts avoid getting lost on wrong trails. Discover the essential navigation path to maximize your sightseeing adventure safely.

How to reach phi phi viewpoint from northern resorts and beaches

Reaching the iconic viewpoints on Koh Phi Phi is straightforward if you are staying near the central hub of Tonsai Village, but visitors based in the northern retreats face a different journey entirely. You can get to the Viewpoint from Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort at phi phi viewpoint from loh ba kao bay and all the hotels clustered around Leam Tong Bay by following established jungle pathways. Rather than taking a long boat ride down to Tonsai Pier just to walk back up the stairs, savvy travelers hike directly across the islands interior through shaded tropical tracks.

Navigating the Trail from Loh Ba Kao Bay

Starting your trek from Loh Ba Kao Bay puts you right on the edge of the islands central hills. Lets be honest: the jungle paths here are not paved asphalt, and you will encounter uneven terrain, roots, and steep earthen inclines. You will want to look for trail markers or follow paths leading past local resort outskirts toward Viewpoint 2 and Viewpoint 3. The walk from Loh Ba Kao takes around 45 to 60 minutes of steady uphill and downhill trekking under a thick canopy of trees.

When I first attempted this northern route, I missed a crucial junction near the back of the resort fringe and ended up wandering down an unpaved maintenance track for twenty minutes before turning back. The trick is to keep your eyes peeled for small wooden signs or ribbons tied to branches by local property owners. Once you pass behind Viewpoint 2 and head north, the route opens up clearly toward the eastern and northern bays.

Walking from Leam Tong Bay

Leam Tong Bay sits at the remote northern tip of Phi Phi Don, meaning a leam tong bay to phi phi viewpoint walk is a major expedition. Walking the entire distance from Leam Tong takes roughly 1.5 hours each way through dense jungle terrain. To save energy, many visitors take a short local boat or a water taxi down to Loh Ba Kao Bay first, cutting the walking time down significantly before starting the inland hike.

The trail connects seamlessly once you reach the mid-island checkpoint areas near Viewpoint 2 and Viewpoint 3. Keep in mind that these upper lookout areas operate on private land, requiring small cash entry fees (typically around 50 THB for the main lower tiers and an extra 20 THB if you continue onward to hike to phi phi viewpoint 3). Be sure to carry small cash bills, as digital payments are rarely accepted at the jungle gates.

Alternative Jungle Routes from Relax Beach and Runtee Bay

If your travels bring you to the eastern or secluded southern coves, alternative trails provide direct access to the central vistas without forcing a detour through Tonsai Village. From Relax Beach at Phak Nam Bay, a well-marked phi phi viewpoint hike route winds upward for roughly 20 to 30 minutes straight to the viewpoint complex. Similarly, hikers starting from Runtee Bay can follow coastal tracks that transition into dense forest trails, merging into the main path just behind the primary viewing platforms.

These alternative routes experience far less foot traffic than the famous 320 concrete stairs rising out of Tonsai. However, that tranquility comes with a tradeoff: poor mobile service in the valleys means offline maps like MAPS.ME are essential to avoid getting turned around on branching logging paths.

Comparing Viewpoint Access Routes on Koh Phi Phi

Tonsai Village Route (Standard Stairs)

• Day-trippers arriving by ferry and travelers staying in central hotels
• Paved concrete steps and urban pathways
• 20 to 30 minutes of steep uphill climbing
• Central Tonsai Village near the main pier

Northern Bay Route (Loh Ba Kao & Leam Tong)

• Guests staying at secluded northern luxury resorts looking to avoid long boat transfers
• Unpaved dirt tracks, tree roots, and forest floors
• 45 to 90 minutes of jungle hiking
• Northern resort beaches and remote coves

Eastern Cove Route (Relax Beach & Runtee)

• Adventurous hikers seeking quiet trails away from crowds
• Narrow jungle footpaths requiring offline navigation
• 20 to 30 minutes through coastal forest
• Secluded east coast bays

Hike from Loh Ba Kao to the Summit

Minh and his partner stayed at a resort in Loh Ba Kao Bay and wanted to catch the afternoon view without taking a long tailboat ride down to Tonsai pier.

They packed water and set off on the jungle trail behind the resort area, but quickly realized the path was less structured than the concrete stairs down south, forcing them to navigate muddy patches.

After taking a wrong turn near a local water tank, they checked their offline map application and retraced their steps back to the main clearing.

Completing the 50-minute trek, they reached Viewpoint 2 just in time to enjoy panoramic vistas of the twin bays before walking back before dark.