Level 3 Pala U Waterfall
Pala U Waterfall is located at the Southern end of Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand. It is some 60 km West of Hua Hin near the border with Myanmar. Since we live south of Hua Hin we decided to call in at the waterfall as we returned home from our holiday in the park.
Geography of Pala U Waterfall
The waterfall is a 16 tier cascade whose water source is located in the Tanao Sri Mountain range on the Thai/Myanmar border. The falls are located at the Southern end of Kaeng Krachan National Park and offer the only access to the park here.
Unfortunately while access to the base of the falls is good anything above level 2/3 becomes extremely challenging. Slippery rocks, tangled tree roots and the jungle canopy make it a very hazardous trek to the top.
There are ropes placed at strategic points to aid the adventurous, some might say reckless given the remoteness of the location, where a slip and a broken ankle are real possibilities in my opinion since the falls are formed in a gorge where the access route frequently clings precariously to the hillside or forces the walker to scramble over large and slippery boulders in the stream bed.
I actually gave up at level three mostly because I didn’t have a backpack and feared I would slip and break my binoculars and camera. But to be honest, although I am reasonably fit, I also found it hard going in the humid conditions with my trekking sandals failing to grip the slippery surface in many places.
However I am told that a trek to the top is very rewarding in terms of beauty and wildlife watching opportunities. So sadly I probably missed a good opportunity that had I been 40 years younger I would have perhaps relished 
Getting to Pala U Waterfall.
Getting to the base of the falls(visitor centre) is easy and is along a tarmac road that ends in a typically chaotic Thai parking area. Visitors need to travel from Highway 4 in a westerly direction using rural routes 3218 and 3219. This is reasonably well signposted in Thai and English. As you approach the village of Huai Sat Yai you will come upon a checkpoint operated by the forestry service, you don’t need to stop, but do heed the warning signs about stopping and feeding the wild elephants, which apparently can be dangerous if approached.
A few kilometres after the village you will come to the park gates, as usual I was asked for a 200 Baht entrance fee as a foreigner, which on this occasion I had to pay as the charming young lady gate keeper refused my Thai Drivers Licence and pleas of poverty. My Thai companions paid 40 Baht and the car cost 30 Baht.
I did notice there is an elephant camp near the park gates(outside) so if you like that sort of thing it might be worth exploring.
Through the gates the road continues for a few more kilometres where it abruptly ends on the crest of a hill. Parking is in bays on either side of this access road. You then leave your vehicle and head past the ranger post(show tickets again) before descending a sharp incline to the visitor centre, a few food stalls and the base of the falls.
My Opinion on Pala U Waterfall.
You may have already got the impression that I was none too impressed with the Pala U Waterfall. Well this is partly true but its mainly because of the difficulty of access and the dangers it could hold. The natural beauty is undeniable and given back my youth I would have probably trekked to the top.
Would I recommend a visit? Yes if you are in the area, but would I pay 2000 Baht or so on an organised trip from Hua Hin, well lets just say that I think some folk might be disappointed given the limited access.
A far better option to Pala U Waterfall, in my opinion, if you like this sort of thing, would actually be Huay Yang Nam Tok National Park some 90 km south of this location which offers much better access to the falls even if they are in a slightly less spectacular setting.
Related posts:
