A morning out at Sticky Waterfall (aka Nam Tok Bua Tong)

[MaeJoMTB]

This place is 50Km from Chiang Mai city center, along the 1001 (past MaeJo)

One of only two Limestone waterfalls in the world (the other one is in Turkey).

Not widely advertised to foreigners, but a truely spectacular and special place to visit.

Despite water running over the top of the rocks they are porous limestone, and not slippery under naked skin.

You can right walk up them barefoot (avoiding stepping on any patches of green, which are slippery).

From the car park walk ahead, turn left for the 'Seven colour spring', and right for the 'Sticky Waterfall'

From the top of the waterfalls, walk down the stone steps, two or three levels,

These steps are steep and unsuitable for those who aren't steady on their feet and in good health.

Best to wear t-shirt, shorts and flipflops, you will get wet climbing up.

Hang your flipflops on a string around your neck, and your phone in a waterproof bag.

It's impossible to keep dry in the waterfalls, but mainly you will just get splashed.

The waterfalls are steep and narrow, but surprisingly easy to climb up.

Park rangers have thoughtfully placed ropes, in a few of the harder places.

There's a surprising amount of water flowing, even in these drought conditions.

And still some good views from the top, despite the smog.

Then take a look at the 'Seven Colour Spring' (Nam Pu Jet See)

Over the bridge at the top of the waterfall, then follow the raised walkways for around 300m.

Food and drinks are on sale in the free car park, entrance is also free.

On your way home, why not visit the Buddha statue in the cave.

The Cave is between the waterfalls and the main road.

Up some more very steep and uneven steps.

Then into the cool of the cave.

(for some reason I can't embed this video, so here is a still for those who don't like to follow links)

How to get there,

Drive 50KM up the 1001 from Chiang Mai to Nam Tok Bua Tong.

Past Rimping and Tesco at Ruam Chok (4Km)

Past MaeJo (10Km)

Past the left turn to Mae Tang (34Km)

Past the left turn to Mae Ngad (44Km)

Then turn right when you see the 'car tire' lane dividers in the middle of the road (total 50Km).

Gps Co-ordinates

19.088900N, 99.085015E

Edited March 15, 2016 by MaeJoMTB

[krey]

thanks for sharing this, will have to check it out!

[LivinLOS]

Interesting.. Worth a look on one of my mooches..

Is that turning pictured the turn that leads to the far side of Doi Saket reservoir ?? Where you can catch the small ferry boat ??

[MESmith]

Quote "How to get there,

Drive 50KM up the 1001 from Chiang Mai to Nam Tok Bua Tong.
Past Rimping and Tesco at Ruam Chok (4Km)
Past MaeJo (10Km)
Past the left turn to Mae Tang (34Km)
Past the left turn to Mae Ngad (44Km)"

You didn't cycle?

[MESmith]

I believe the falls are fed by a natural spring. Take the nature trail upstream from the falls. It takes you to a very clear pool of water.

[MaeJoMTB]

You didn't cycle?

We took 'wimmin' ....... they ain't gonna cycle 80Km for the round trip.

But there are heaps of nice coffee shops and restaurants on the way there and back.

1 coffee stop out, 2 coffee stops and lunch on the way back.

[MaeJoMTB]

One more of me and Marina at the bottom of the falls,

It's really nice there, great picnic spot, romantic too.

[connda]

Nice write-up. I'll have to put that on my daytrip to-do list.

BTW, I like your picture:

Based on the cobalt blue glow in the water, you seemed to have stumbled across the current resting place of the Fukushima 'lost' fuel rods. Very pretty though.

[connda]

One more of me and Marina at the bottom of the falls,

It's really nice there, great picnic spot, romantic too.

troy at sticky.jpg

But, Captain Troy, are you sure you didn't just navigate up to the spring feeding the falls though the cavernous subterranean limestone caves underneath the falls in search of those lost fuel rods???

"Shhhhh!"

Ok! Mums the word.

Edited March 15, 2016 by connda

[Genericnic]

Thanks for the post. Always looking for another good place for a day trip.

David

[Chiengmaijoe]

One more of me and Marina at the bottom of the falls,

It's really nice there, great picnic spot, romantic too.

troy at sticky.jpg

Marina was one of my first true love fantasies. I hope you are taking good care of her.

I even sent her fanmail, asking for a date, no strings attached.

Edited March 15, 2016 by Chiengmaijoe

[kaorop]

thats really nice

but

erawan falls in kanchanaburi looks suspiciously like limestone?

Oh and btw I was taking a "scenery" pic okay?

[Genericnic]

thats really nice

but

erawan falls in kanchanaburi looks suspiciously like limestone?

eraaaa1.jpg

Oh and btw I was taking a "scenery" pic okay?

kaorop, looks like you might be right about the limestone.

http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/asia-erawan-waterfall.html

David

[connda]

One more of me and Marina at the bottom of the falls,

It's really nice there, great picnic spot, romantic too.

troy at sticky.jpg

Marina was one of my first true love fantasies. I hope you are taking good care of her.

I even sent her fanmail, asking for a date, no strings attached.

A little off topic, but here was my first heart-throb.

Young Miss Darby usher me from adolescence to the age of hormones. I definitely had the hots for her. "Oh Kim." Lol

She was a staple on 1960s TV: Dr. Kildare, Wagon Train, Mr. Novak, The Donna Reed Show, Ben Casey, The Fugitive, Gunsmoke, Bonaza, and then 'ta-da', a breakout role in True Grit with "The Duke". <sigh> Kim, you were a young man's dream. So fresh! Now at 68 and some plastic surgery later, you look like my sister. <sigh -- sound of popping balloons> But the memories are all good.

Edited March 16, 2016 by connda

[connda]

thats really nice

but

erawan falls in kanchanaburi looks suspiciously like limestone?

eraaaa1.jpg

Oh and btw I was taking a "scenery" pic okay?

All that is needed in a couple of Coronas Dos XX and some limes to go with them. Kick back, and enjoy the view of the limestone and more transient bubbly and boobely bobbley scenery.

Ahhh, the joys of being a man.

[pgrahmm]

Nice post....It's been on my list - but maybe I'll move it up some...

Edited March 16, 2016 by pgrahmm