The Ultimate Guide To Erawan Waterfalls
With seven tiers of cascading waterfalls, Erawan National Park is a must-visit in the Kanchanaburi Province of Thailand. Highly regarded as some of the best waterfalls in Thailand, the hike up the seven falls is slightly challenging, but worth every step for the dramatic views!
The falls are the main attraction in the national park, offering hiking and swimming opportunities in the middle of lush green jungle. I’m by no means an accomplished hiker, but I enjoyed the challenge of this trail and adored the beautiful scenery that rewarded our steps.
We visited Erawan National Park on our two day trip to Kanchanaburi, a town 140km west of Bangkok. The waterfalls are around an hour’s drive or an hour and a half on a local bus, so a perfect day trip from Kanchanaburi!
In this guide, I’m covering everything you need to know about visiting Erawan National Park, including a step-by-step guide to the Erawan Waterfalls hike!
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Erawan Falls Visitor Guide
Planning to spend a day at Erawan Waterfalls? Here’s everything you need to know about your visit!
When’s the best time of year to visit Erawan Falls?
Generally, the best time to visit Erawan Falls is between November and January.
Between July and October is rainy season, which means more water, making the falls more dramatic. However, heavy rain often means the water is muddier in colour, due to the sediment being moved down through the tiers.
From March to early July is the dry season, which can mean some of the waterfalls almost dry out. The landscape is still beautiful, but waterfalls without any water might leave you feeling a bit short-changed! As the hottest months of the year, the hike will also be more of a struggle compared to the slightly cooler months later in the year.
We visited in October after some heavy rain in the area, and as you’ll see from our pictures, the water isn’t the sparkling blue you’ll see on Instagram. But don’t let that put you off, Erawan’s waterfalls are spectacular regardless of the water colour!
How much time do you need at Erawan Waterfalls?
The out-and-back hike itself takes around 1.5-2hrs, depending on your fitness level. I’d recommend planning at least three hours at the falls (not including travel time), so you can take your time and enjoy a dip in the pools.
If you’re short on time, you can book a day trip from Bangkok that includes Erawan. However, I’d absolutely recommend spending two days in Kanchanaburi and using the town as a base for your Erawan Falls day trip.
Erawan National Park Opening Times
Erawan Waterfalls are open from 8am-4.30pm each day. I’d recommend arriving early in the day to avoid the crowds and the middle of the day heat. (we really didn’t take this advice and arrived around lunchtime – we still had a great visit though!)
Be aware if you’re coming later in the day that some of the upper waterfalls close earlier than 4.30pm. Usually, staff will start limiting access and moving visitors down from the upper tiers at around 3pm.
How to get to Erawan National Park
From Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is the perfect base for a day trip to Erawan Waterfalls and worth spending some time in. Two days in Kanchanaburi is ideal – you can spend one day exploring the town, and another visiting Erawan National Park.
A self-guided visit to Erawan also means you can take the hike at your own pace vs the time limits of a tour.
For unique budget accommodation in Kanchanaburi, we loved our stay at Sam’s House riverside bungalows – check out my full guesthouse review, and book your stay here.
From Bangkok
It’s also possible to visit Erawan Waterfalls as a day trip from Bangkok. This small group day trip visits both Erawan National Park and Kanchanaburi. If you’re choosing this option, be aware that around 6 hours of your day will involve travelling in the van.
For a slower pace and unique accommodation, a two-day trip with jungle glamping also includes some local floating and train market visit!
How much does it cost to visit Erawan Waterfalls?
Entrance to Erawan National Park costs 300 THB for foreign adults, and 200 THB for children.
Parking costs 30 THB for a car, or 20 THB for a motorbike.
If you want to swim, you’ll also need to hire a lifejacket – a requirement of the park. Lifejacket rental costs 20 THB, and these can be picked up at the bottom – you can’t miss the stand. Don’t be like us and get a little way up before deciding we fancy a swim, and having to walk back down!
There are food and drink stalls at the entrance to the park, which we found to be decent quality and affordable.
Cash or card? We paid for everything in cash – it’s mentioned that they do take card, but it’s best to have enough cash on you for entry, parking, lifejacket rental and refreshments, just in case.
How difficult is the Erawan Falls hike?
As someone with a moderate fitness level, I found the hike challenging but achievable. There are quite a lot of steps between some of the levels, and after the fifth waterfall, the ground becomes much more uneven. I’ve definitely done harder hikes in the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park in the States!
Along the hike, you’ll encounter multiple terrains and types of pathway. Towards the bottom, you’ll mostly find concrete paths, and gentle stairs. As you get to the middle of the hike, the stairs begin to get steeper and more plentiful.
The final third is the most difficult section, as the ground becomes much more uneven, with a few sections of stairs and boardwalks between dirt paths. If it’s been raining, these sections can become muddy, so make sure you’re wearing shoes with good grip!
I actually found that the most challenging element of the Erawan Falls hike for us was the heat and humidity. Although a lot of the trail has good cover from the trees, the sticky conditions were a little tough at points. Make sure you pack plenty of water.
You’re not actually supposed to take plastic bottles beyond waterfall 2 without paying a 20 THB deposit per bottle – but no one checked us on the way up. Make sure you’re responsible and bring anything you take out with you, and perhaps have some notes on you just in case they’re checking!
What to take to Erawan Waterfalls
Here are some essentials and useful suggestions of things to bring with you for your Erawan Waterfalls hike:
- Cash: for entry, refreshments and any deposits.
- Plenty of water: reusable bottles are great for this, as you may need to pay a deposit for plastic bottles.
- Sturdy footwear: You don’t necessarily need hiking boots for this one, but I’d recommend wearing some comfortable walking trainers with good grip.
- Breathable clothing: You’ll get hot. You’ll get sweaty. Be ready for it!
- Water shoes: if you have them, they’re really handy! I switched to these for the upper levels where there were a few puddles to wade through, and for swimming in the pools.
- Swimwear: if you want to have a swim! There aren’t any changing facilities available, so put them on underneath your clothes.
- Microfibre towel: For drying off after your swim
- Waterproof phone pouch: There are no lockers next to the pools, so I put my phone and cash in one of these while I left my clothes by the side of the pool.
- SPF: Although the trails are pretty shady, there are still patches where you’ll be in the sun.
- Insect repellent: As always in Southeast Asia!
Hiking the Seven Waterfalls at Erawan National Park
Not sure if the Erawan Falls hike is for you? This step-by-step guide takes you through each stage of the trail to the very top of Erawan Waterfalls.
If you’re planning to do the whole hike, I’d recommend doing what we did and basically making our way straight up to the seventh waterfall. With the hard work out of the way, you can take your time heading down and enjoying the photo and swimming opportunities!
Waterfall 1: Hlai Khuen Rung 500m from entrance
The easy part! The paved path from the entrance to Waterfall 1 is near enough completely flat for 500 metres.
Waterfall 2: Wang Mat Cha +1oom
In just another 100 metres , you’ll find the second waterfall. This one’s really popular for swimming and really fills up during the day. It’s easy to get to and spacious, so ideal for families with small children who don’t want to go too far.
BATHROOM ALERT: There are no more toilets from the third waterfall onwards, so make sure you go before you go!
This is also the point where you’re not allowed to take any food or plastic bottles further up the trail. If you do have plastic bottles of water on you, you may need to pay a 20 THB deposit – but no one seems to check this!
Waterfall 3: Pha Nam Tok +100m
The walk between waterfalls 2 and 3 is also short at just 100m, with some stairs but nothing challenging yet. The waterfall itself is a simple drop, but the tallest one you’ll have experienced so far.
We actually didn’t see this one until on our way down, as it’s a little off the trail. It’s a great one to take a dip in, as the surrounding ground is low, making entry easier than at waterfall #4.
Waterfall 4: Oke Nang Pee Sau +350m
This is where the Erawan Falls Hike begins to get challenging! The 350m between Pha Nam Tok and Oke Nang Pee Sau is mostly stairs, going both up and down. I definitely started to struggle a bit here in the humidity, but had the opportunity to take a breather at a little viewpoint looking out over the trees.
Waterfall #4 is a popular spot for swimmers, and has a large, rounded rock that we saw people sliding down. This is the one we actually took a dip in when we came back down. The climb down to the pool is a little steep here, and the edge of the water has lots of uneven rocks – so be aware of this when you’re getting in.
Waterfall 5: Buar Mae Long +500m
The walk between the fourth and fifth waterfalls is the longest stretch, and where we began to slow down a little. Thankfully, there’s plenty to see along the way in the form of colourful clothing and pieces of cloth tied to the trees. This is a way in which Thais honour the spirits and ghosts of the forest.
The fifth waterfall is actually surrounded by a collection of tiered falls, with some cute smaller pools to swim in. There are some great photo spots here too – although by this point I was so sweaty, posing for pictures was the last thing on my mind!
We’d also heard that there were monkeys in the forest from this section upwards, although we didn’t spot any ourselves. So keep an eye on the trees and you might encounter the local wildlife!
Waterfall 6: Dong Prucksa +300m
From this point on, the pathway becomes much more rugged and uneven. Luckily, it’s only around 300m, with some boardwalk sections and easy steps.
Dong Prucksa, waterfall #6 is also a tiered section of falls, with a boardwalk across them to take in the views. There aren’t really any swimming opportunities here, but this was one of my favourite sections to watch the water cascade down across rocks and past the trees!
Waterfall 7: Phu Pha Erawan +250m
Think you’re done with stairs? The final push to the seventh waterfall says no, because there are LOTS.
It’s absolutely worth hauling yourself up them though, as you’ll be met by a spectacular view at the top of the falls. As you reach the towering face of rock with a trail of water pouring down from its source, you’ll be met with a sign that lets you know you’ve conquered the trail!
Waterfall #7 isn’t the best for swimming as the pool is shallow, but we took a dip to reward ourselves for the hard work and cool down after sweating BUCKETS on the way up!
Congratulations! You’ve conquered Erawan Falls! Take your time enjoying the views on the way back down, and enjoy a cooling dip in the pools.
Just watch out for the tiny fish that might take a liking to your feet…
More things to do in Erawan National Park
Erawan Waterfalls are the main attraction in the National Park. However, if you have some time on your hands and a sense of adventure, there are further exploration opportunities including:
Phra That Cave: About 10km from the waterfalls, a steep 600m hike takes you to large cave which you can explore with a park guide. Much less travelled than the waterfall trail, if you’re able to manage the challenging hike, you’ll get to explore an area of the park that 95% of visitors don’t see!
Srinagarind Dam Viewpoint: An easier, hike-free option after visiting Erawan Falls, the Srinagarind Dam Viewpoint offers what it says on the tin – stunning views over the Srinagarind Dam. You can drive from the entrance to Erawan Falls in around 10-15 minutes.
Time Memorial Park: There’s not much to do here, but you can check out the large sundial and enjoy more views of the Srinagarind Dam.
Planning a trip to Thailand? Check out more of my travel guides:
- Visit impressive ruined temples with a day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok.
- Find out what to expect on a sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani.
- Discover the ultimate guide to Pai for hippy, mountain town vibes! And when you’re there, don’t miss the Bamboo Bridge.
More Southeast Asia travel:
You got a beautiful collections of erawan waterfalls. Thank you for sharing it.