Chalong Dam West Side Loop

The Chalong Dam West Side Loop is a quiet forest hike on the wooded hills above Chalong Dam in southern Phuket, and one of the island's most accessible half-day trails. Locals also call it the Tinman Loop. It is a real, GPS-recorded 5.7 km circuit that starts and finishes on the west road of the dam, climbs steadily through shady forest full of big old trees, and drops back to the water with about 330 m of total climbing. If you want a Chalong Dam hike that trades the beach and the traffic for birdsong and shade, this is the one.

Our numbers come from a real recorded track. The stats above (distance, elevation gain, the interactive map and the elevation profile) come from an actual GPS recording of the full west-side loop, not an estimate, so you can plan your day around the real climbs.

Who the trail suits

The loop is graded moderate: not a gentle stroll, but well within reach of anyone reasonably fit.

• Hikers get a proper couple of hours in the forest, with a steady climb to the high point and easy walking on the paved sections near the start and finish.
• Trail runners will find a satisfying, rolling loop with enough climb to make it count. The rocky stretches reward light feet, so pick a drier day.

Whatever your pace, you can log your own time by category and see how you compare on the leaderboard further down the page.

The route and terrain

The circuit begins on the west road of Chalong Dam and quickly leaves the open reservoir edge for the trees. In brief:

• The surface is mixed. Parts of the trail are paved and easy underfoot, while other parts are rocky and rooty, especially on the climb, so wear shoes with grip.
• The forest is the highlight. You pass through a real density of big old trees, and the canopy keeps most of the loop shaded, which matters a lot in the Phuket heat.
• The climb. From the dam at around 50 m you work up to roughly 340 m at the high point before the trail loops back down to the water. Use the elevation profile above to see exactly where the steep sections are.

It is a genuine getaway from the city: quiet, green, and a world away from the beaches a few kilometres west.

Best time to hike the Chalong Dam loop

Season matters more here than difficulty, and the advice from hikers who know the loop is clear:

• November to June (drier months): the best window. The ground is firmer, the rocks grip better, and the path stays clear.
• July to October (rainy season): not recommended. Heavy rain washes out sections of the trail, plants overgrow the path, and branches come down from the trees.

Whenever you go, start early for cooler air, carry plenty of water because the climb is hot and sweaty even in the shade, and check the live rain radar and forecast further down this page before you set out.

How to get to the trailhead

The loop starts on the west road of Chalong Dam, near Ban Wat Mai in Chalong, southern Phuket, a short way inland from Chalong Circle and the Soi Ta-iad gym strip.

• From Chalong or Rawai: about 10 to 15 minutes by car or scooter.
• From Phuket Town: roughly 20 minutes.
• From Kata or Karon: around 20 to 25 minutes over the hill.

There is informal roadside parking near the dam. Follow the GPS track from the start point on the map, because the trail junctions are not signposted.

What to bring and safety

• Footwear: trail or approach shoes with grip. The rocky sections are slick when damp.
• Water and sun: carry more than you think. The climb is sweltering and there are no shops on the loop.
• Clothing: long trousers help against undergrowth and mosquitoes on the shadier stretches.
• Navigation: the junctions are unmarked, so download the GPS track or an offline map before you start.
• Rain: re-check the radar and turn back if the trail is running with water.

Food and things to do near Chalong Dam

The loop pairs neatly with the rest of Chalong. Tank & Throttle Co. is a good coffee-and-brunch stop before or after, and there is proper local food nearby at Khrua Ohm and Jongjit Kitchen. To recover afterwards, Phuket Spa Chalong has a sauna, steam and ice-bath day pass just up the road. The Big Buddha viewpoint and Wat Chalong, Phuket's most important temple, are both a short drive away and easy to fold into the same morning.

Riding it: enduro and off-road

The hills west of Chalong Dam are prime Phuket enduro terrain, and this loop rides as well as it walks. It links forest singletrack, dirt and old fire road with the paved sections near the dam, and the rocky climbs make for an enjoyable technical spin, with a little hike-a-bike where the trail pinches in. Like all of these routes it grips far better in the drier months, so save it for a dry day and treat it as an adventurous backcountry ride.

Route from a GPS track recorded by Borja F1 and shared on Wikiloc. Trail photos are representative Phuket forest.