Right around the coast from Koh Phangan’s infamous full moon party beach lies Haad Yuan – a “secret” beach that’s a lot more laid back. Its chill atmosphere mainly stems from the fact that it’s extremely tough to get to.
Most people visit Haad Yuan as a day hike from Haad Rin, but the trail is steep and somewhat confusing.
In this guide, we’ll detail the Haad Rin to Haad Yuan hike so you know what to expect and how to get there.
Haad Rin to Haad Yuan Hike
The Haad Rin to Haad Yuan Hike goes over a mountain and through a forest to get to Haad Yuan, a secluded beach with bungalows and a few restaurants. Along the way is a viewpoint where you can see Haad Yuan and the coastline of this remote area of Koh Phangan.
Haad Rin to Haad Yuan Hike Details
- Hike Distance: We hiked from the start of the trail in Haad Rin to the end in Haad Yuan. This was about 3.5 km. If you want to return to Haad Rin then the hike will be 7 km total.
- Hike Duration: The hike took about 2 hours each way.
- Hike Difficulty: Medium to high difficulty with steep inclines and some slippery rocks.
- Hike Incline: 300 meters to get over the mountain, and then another 300 meters to go down from the mountain to Haad Yuan beach.
How to get to the Haad Rin to Haad Yuan Hike
The trail starts right above Haad Rin and isn’t too hard to find. We walked to the trail from our bungalow in Haad Rin.
The trail cuts through a residential area before entering the mountain.
Here is a Google Maps pin for the location of the trail in Haad Rin.
Our Experience on the Haad Rin to Haad Yuan Hike
It’s not too often that you get to hike over a mountain to a beach. We’re not huge partygoers (anymore) so when we found out about this hike, it was the first thing we did in Haad Rin.
The hike started innocently enough but quickly escalated. As the trail entered the forest, it got much steeper.
After the steep sections, the trail followed a road system that got a little confusing. We walked along the road for a while and missed the turn back onto the trail. Luckily, we had a GPS track of the trail so we were able to backtrack to the bridge where the trail picked back up.
When we reached the top of the mountain, the trail flattened out and came to a crossing. We took a side trail to the Haad Yuan viewpoint. From this area, we caught our first glimpse of Haad Yuan below us. We hung out on the stone outcropping to soak in the views of the coastline and met a few other hikers there.
We should probably mention at this point that we weren’t originally intending to hike back to Haad Rin. We were told that water taxis transport people between Haad Rin and Haad Yuan for a small fee. So our plan was to hike to Haad Yuan, and then take a water taxi back to Haad Rin. However, our plan didn’t pan out (you’ll find out why soon).
After taking a break at the viewpoint, the trail was all downhill to Haad Yuan. The path eventually met up with the dirt road that goes to the beach, and we saw firsthand how bad the road was. It was completely rutted out, it reminded me of what roads look like after flash floods. We saw only 2 vehicles on the road, and they were locals on motorbikes riding to and from Haad Yuan.
After hiking down the roads, we walked by some bungalows and finally got to Haad Yuan. Getting to the beach was a relief after hiking over the mountain. The first thing I noticed was that the ocean was a bit choppy. We were planning on taking a swim in the ocean but it was a little too rough to swim so we decided against it.
We walked around for a bit and spoke with some of the businesses along the beach and they quoted us a price of 3000 THB to get a boat back to Haad Rin. The price was actually 500 THB per person for 6 people, but if we wanted our own boat we could pay 3000 THB and leave now.
It seems like the boat taxi drivers charge whatever price they want for a ride. So if the seas are rough or there aren’t many other boat taxis running that day, be prepared to pay increased prices.
Another factor that comes into play regarding boat taxis is its weekly party at Eden Bar. Every Saturday night, Eden Bar opens up and throws an underground dance music party until Sunday morning. This is when the beach sees the most traffic so more water taxis are going to and from the beach.
Unfortunately it was later in the day so we didn’t have time to wait around for other hikers to arrive to potentially split the boat with, and 3000 THB was a steep payment for a boat ride, so we opted to hike back instead.
The hike back over the mountain on the way out was more difficult than the hike in. We were already tired from the hike in, and by the time we were back in Haad Rin we were completely exhausted.
It didn’t help that we were expecting to ride a boat out of Haad Yuan, so we weren’t mentally prepared for the return hike. Had we known we would be hiking out, we would have packed more snacks and started the hike earlier in the day.
Things to know about the Haad Rin to Haad Yuan Hike
The Haad Rin to Haad Yuan hike goes up and over a mountain, so all the elevation you gain is lost by the end of the hike. The inclines are pretty steep at times. The hike isn’t overly dangerous, and there was only one part that you would potentially need to use your hands to keep balance.
At Haad Yuan, there is a small store that sells water and snacks, among other items. So if you happen to run out of water on the hike in or want to grab a snack then bring some extra cash.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the hot and humid weather of the island can be hard to deal with if you’re not used to it. We hiked the trail during Thailand’s dry season, which sees slightly cooler temperatures, and we still sweat quite a bit.
There is also a road that leads to Haad Yuan from Ban Tai. The road is made of dirt and is completely rutted out. Only four-wheel drive vehicles and those experienced with motorbikes use the road to get in and out of Haad Yuan from Ban Tai.
Where to Stay in Koh Phangan
Although Koh Phangan is a small island, choosing where to stay isn’t straightforward, especially for first-time visitors. The island has several areas, each offering different experiences.
During our 10 days in Koh Phangan, we stayed in four different areas and covered all sides of the island. This gave us a solid understanding of what each location has to offer in terms of accommodation, atmosphere, and accessibility.
Here’s our take on the different areas to stay in Koh Phangan and what to expect from each one.
- Haad Rin: Home to the infamous Full Moon Party, Haad Rin is the place for nightlife. The entire area revolves around the party scene, with bars, clubs, and hostels catering to those looking to drink and dance until sunrise. If you’re looking for a social, high-energy atmosphere, Haad Rin is the place to be.
- Baan Tai / Thong Sala: Baan Tai and Thong Sala are centrally located to the rest of the island and are the most convenient base if you plan to explore Koh Phangan by motorbike. While Baan Tai and Thong Sala don’t have much in terms of sightseeing, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, markets, and essential services there.
- Thong Nai Pan: If you’re looking for a quiet, upscale retreat with great food, Thong Nai Pan is the best area to stay. It’s a peaceful place ideal for couples and families looking for a relaxing beach vacation. It’s far from the party madness and has calm, scenic beaches and a laid-back vibe.
- West Koh Phangan: The entire west coast of Koh Phangan has a free-spirited vibe. It’s a popular gathering place for expats who live on the island. This is where you’ll find yoga retreats, meditation centers, and vegan cafes, making it the island’s hub for health and wellness. It also happens to have some of the island’s most beautiful beaches.
What to Pack for Koh Phangan
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Koh Phangan.
- Crocs: During our time in Koh Phangan, we visited 15 beaches, and almost all of them had one thing in common: rocks in the water! I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when swimming.
- Sunscreen: We ran out of sunscreen while in Koh Phangan, so we went to the store to buy it and it was super expensive! Don’t be like us. Bring plenty of sunscreen because you will need it!
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures in Koh Phangan, I was so glad to have a dry bag to keep all my things safe from the elements!
- Travel Towel: In my opinion, a travel towel like this one is super necessary for a trip to Koh Phangan! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Free Koh Phangan Google Maps Locations
Do you need a handy map with all our Koh Phangan locations? We’ve got a Google Map with all the Koh Phangan locations in this post (plus a LOT more). Sign up in the box below and we’ll deliver it right to your inbox, plus our top tips to help you plan your Koh Phangan adventure.
Are You Following Our Koh Phangan Blog Series?
We spent 10 days in Koh Phangan and found so many things to do there—from waterfalls to beaches, temples, and hikes. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our Ultimate Guide to Koh Phangan: 16 Incredible Things to Do in Koh Phangan
- Our Koh Phangan accomodation/area guide: Where to Stay in Koh Phangan
- Our Koh Phangan Beach Guide: The 15 Best Beaches in Koh Phangan
- How to plan your trip to Koh Phangan: 3 Days in Koh Phangan: The Perfect Koh Phangan Itinerary
- The Bottle Beach Viewpoint is Koh Phangan’s most epic vantage point
- We did the Haad Rin to Haad Yuan Hike over a mountain to a secluded beach
- Our favorite temple in Koh Phangan is the Kuan Yin Chinese Temple
- Our favorite waterfall in Koh Phangan: Pho Darng Waterfall
- How to get to Koh Phangan: Surat Thani to Koh Phangan by Ferry
I hope you enjoyed our guide to the Haad Rin to Haad Yuan hike! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
Thanks for sharing! Glad you made it back safe and sound. I was also on Phangan in February and I certainly wouldn’t want to go that way when the sun has already set. Unfortunately we didn’t make it to Haad Yuan last time.
Do you think it’s possible to do the route from Haad Rin to Haad Yuan by ATV or is there not enough space for it?
Hi Nilson!
The route from Haad Rin to Haad Yuan is a hiking trail only. There’s not enough space for any vehicles.
However, there is a road from Ban Tai that goes to Haad Yuan. The hiking route actually links up with the road for a small portion right at Haad Yuan. From what we saw of the road, it is a dirt road that is super busted, but I think an ATV would be the able to ride on it.
Please let me know what you end up doing! I’m actually super curious about riding an ATV there now…