Enduro and 4x4 on Phuket's Trails: Nicola Vega's Ride
A Sunday of Phuket Enduro and 4x4 on the Same Trails
This outing is a proper taste of Phuket enduro and 4x4 riding, filmed on Sunday 24 May and shared the following day by local rider Nicola Vega. Rather than the usual single-discipline run, it brings dirt bikes and a truck together on the island's back tracks, so you get two very different machines tackling the same ground. The original title is in French, "Enduro and 4x4, Sunday 24 May, Phuket", and the video runs for roughly 21 minutes. It sits within Nicola Vega's ongoing Phuket riding series, which quietly documents where and how people get off the tarmac here.
Who and What Is in the Video
The mix of vehicles is the real novelty of this ride. Erik brings a Ford Wildtrak with a bi-turbo engine, a capable factory 4x4 that handles the rougher sections with plenty of ground clearance and torque. Alongside it are two dirt bikes: a Honda CRF250L, ridden by Charlie (and possibly Raf at points), and Nicola Vega on a Honda CRF300L. The pairing of a full-size 4x4 with lightweight enduro bikes is not something you see on every group ride, and watching them share the trails shows how each machine picks its own line through the same obstacles.
What Phuket's Off-Road Terrain Is Like
Phuket is far greener and hillier away from the beaches than many visitors expect, and the interior is where this kind of riding happens. The trails wind through rubber plantations, forested slopes and red-earth tracks that change character quickly with the weather. For the CRF250L and CRF300L, that means loose climbs, roots and narrow single track where a nimble bike can be flicked around tight turns. For the Ford Wildtrak, the same routes offer wider ruts, gradients and uneven surfaces where a 4x4 can keep momentum without much drama. The terrain suits both because it mixes technical, slow-speed sections with more open stretches, letting bikes and truck travel together at a shared pace. You can read more about the wider network on our Phuket trails overview, and the enduro side is collected under enduro and off-road trails.
Why It Is Worth Watching
For riders, the appeal is practical. You can study line choice, gauge how the CRF300L and CRF250L cope with the climbs, and see how a heavier 4x4 negotiates the same ground, which is useful if you are weighing up what to bring on your own trip inland. For non-riders, it works simply as a relaxed 21 minutes of Phuket scenery you rarely see on a standard holiday, with the plantations, hills and quieter corners of the island passing by. The unhurried, real-time feel means there is no exaggeration, just a group of friends spending a Sunday out on the trails. It also pairs well with the rest of our Adventure & Riding collection if you want more in the same vein.
Ride It Yourself, Safely
If this video makes you want to try it, a few sensible notes go a long way. Ride within your ability first and foremost: Phuket's trails can be technical, and the surfaces get slippery fast in the wet season, so build up gradually rather than chasing the pace of experienced riders. Respect private land and working plantations, which make up much of the terrain here. These are people's livelihoods, so keep to established tracks, close any gates you open and avoid churning up planted ground. Wherever possible, go out with someone who already knows the routes, as local knowledge is the difference between a good day and a lost, frustrating one. Wear proper protective gear, carry water and tell someone your plans before you set off. Approached with that care, Phuket enduro and 4x4 riding is one of the most rewarding ways to see the real, green heart of the island, and this Sunday ride is a friendly, honest window into what it involves.
