Located a short ride from the main park headquarters in the park's southern reaches, Khao Daeng ("Red Mountain") is the best place in Sam Roi Yot to get a solid hike with breathtaking views as your reward.
The trail begins just off the main road and climbs steeply up to the 157-metre-high lookout, where you can sit back and enjoy northern vistas over the mountains and shrimp farms down below, and eastern views out to the Gulf. Come very early for what's sure to be a memorable sunrise (no, we didn't get up to vouch for it). It's quite a hard climb but well worth it.
Take plenty of water, do not go alone, and pass on climbing if it has rained recently. The trail is not very clearly marked and there were no national park officials on site during our visit. The hike takes around 45 minutes for those in average shape. Be sure that you reach the true summit -- look out for a wooden sign there -- as a few decoys dot the trail.
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