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Starting from Chiang Mai the 1st day in the early hours of the morning, we hike up directly on a pilgrim trail used by monks. Without transition we pass into rocky terrain which lasts until the almost fairy tale appearance of Wat Palaad, nestling on the bank of a river. A few kilometres further on the course crosses the site of Wat Doi Suthep, one of the most holy temples in Thailand. The view over the valley of Chiang Mai is panoramic and imposing.

The route runs down the dizzyingly steep staircase from the temple, and then, just behind the temple, we take a hidden path that plunges headlong into the jungle. This route was created in the beginning of the last century by Hmong people. Plunged headlong into a first stretch of jungle, we run 10k in this wonderful atmosphere surrounded by long green tunnels on undulating paths punctuated by fallen branches and trees.

As we emerge from the jungle, we can see in the distance the charming village of Chang Khian. After a break for lunch in the restaurant of a Hmong family, we will tackle the challenging part of the day. The slope gets progressively harder and becomes so steep that we have to use our hands to help us at some points. We reach a magnificent line of ridges edged in pine trees before summiting Doi Pui then Doi Pa Klong, the 2 highest summits in Chiang Mai (1625m and 1575m).

After reaching the 2 summits, we plunge for a very long downhill into a pine forest. The trail made from a carpet of pine needles is easy and allows relaxing heavy legs after the long journey up. The last concrete part is a bit more challenging, but it is the sign that our overnight place is close. This is a beautiful and peaceful hotel surrounded by green mountains. We will have time to enjoy the swimming pool and a good Thai meal. It's a perfect place to recover before the 2nd day.

We start directly from the resort by hiking up in the mountains. It's a steep ascent until we arrive at a couple of Hmong settlements. Leaving the fields, suddenly we enter a wild jungle. It's a long crossing until we reach a new valley. Emerging from a long stretch of jungle and seeing the horizon opens again is a fantastic feeling; it's like taking a sudden lungful of air after a long period of holding your breath.

The second part of the run leads us through the Karen valleys. After 20 kilometers from the start, we finally reach the first rice paddies carved into the hillsides, like huge staircases of greenery. Crossing the terraced rice fields is an obstacle race for tired runners. To run across the strips of grass without falling you have to learn how to keep your balance.

When we see the first roofs of the village, the Karen village of Mae Kha is not far away. It's a wonderful place to stay overnight. People live simply and are happy to welcome us; they live in deep contact with nature. After enjoying a deserved shower directly at a waterfall, we will share a meal for dinner with local families. We will sleep in comfortable wood houses beside the rice fields.

In the morning of the 3rd day, we particularly appreciate the unique scenery on fields and valleys at sunrise while having breakfast. We quit the village with regret on one of its mountain slopes, gradually leaving its wattle and daub roofs behind us. We run again through rice fields and up to the mountains until Wat Prabat Si Loi. This sacred temple is known for its 4 Buddha footprint; it's a quiet place and a majestic temple surrounded by green nature.

We leave the temple behind us and take a dirt track that brings us deeply into the Karen areas. The route goes down through mountains and valleys and offers great views of green hills. It's a delightful setting characterized by a perfect mix of rice fields, villages and jungle. It's also a quiet area; only a few people live there. Finally, after 10 kilometers we enter a small Karen village and its lovely wood houses where we take a break.

Soon we leave the Karen areas and its beautiful rice paddies by tackling a remarkable, dense bamboo jungle, acting as a natural frontier between the Karen and Hmong areas. While the former live in the valley, the latter live in the high mountains. The last part of the route this day is a long and exposed dirt road to the village of Hmong Ngo. We will sleep there in a local homestay located at 1300m high on a pass with wonderful scenery down the valley.

We start the day with a long way down through jungle and forest, surrounded by an ocean of greenery, the route enters a magical little valley by a dirt track which runs along the bank of the magnificent Mae Taeng River. Depending on the season and the weather, we will run directly into the stream, or we will use an alternative route if the water level doesn't allow it. The morning of this 4th day is a good opportunity to recover after 3 days of running, it's only flat and down. But mind the leeches anyway!

After a long and gentle flat part, comes the main difficulty of the day. The last part of the route before the overnight village is a long hike up of 10kms and 800m elevation gain. It's quite steep and exposed on many parts, that makes it challenging and tough. Hopefully at the top, the reward is huge: on the mountain ridge in the village of Kup Kap, we can enjoy a magnificent and distant view over the valley of Chiang Mai and Mae Taeng.

The last part to the overnight village is an open trail on the mountainside. It's mostly flat and it gives us the opportunity to enjoy a sea of green mountains all around. The village of Ban Pha Daeng is small and remote, not any tourists come here. We have had a long relationship with local people there and have built our own homestay with a local family. We will sleep in traditional Lahu-style bamboo huts in comfortable rooms and will enjoy a great meal cooked by our lovely hosts.

The last running day is mountainous, the atmosphere is more alpine. In the early morning, we leave the village with regret by hiking on a path up the village. For a last time, we can look back and enjoy the beautiful morning view, before being covered by trees and forests. The biggest challenge of the day is now waiting for us: 800m elevation gain on a steep ridge to conquer the summit of Doi Pha Sam Liam (1650m). At the top, the reward is huge: as far as our eyes can see, it's a sea of green mountains all around.

After the summit and a deserved lunch break, we continue running on a beautiful ridge. The atmosphere has changed completely; we are now in a large pine forest and running on a carpet of needles is a great feeling. When we arrive at Doi Pakhia summit (1680m), we can observe for the 1st time the massive mountain range of Chiang Dao. Standing out against the sky, it is the only alpine mountain in Thailand. With a profusion of lesser peaks and ridges, it is also the most imposing and beautiful one.

In the Hmong village of Pakhia, we will take a break for lunch, before tackling the final part. We have to go all around the massif of Chiang Dao from the south face to the north face on a steep trail going up and down. We will reach first an open-ridge line where we can observe in the distance the magnificent mountains of Chiang Dao. Then we run down and up a technical trail that will lead us to the final Lisu villages of Fa Suay and Na Lao Mai.