Northern Thailand - Thailand - page 698

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
THE GREEN ROUTE
Rte 12, which runs along the scenic, rapid-studded Lam Nam Khek between Phitsanulok and Lom Sak, is known
as the 'Green Route'. Off this road are waterfalls, resorts and the Phu Hin Rong Kla and Thung Salaeng Luang
National Parks.
The Phitsanulok TAT office distributes a good map of the attractions along this 130km stretch of road. You
may want to bypass the first two waterfalls, Nam Tok Sakhunothayan (at the Km 33 marker) and Kaeng Song
(at the Km 45 marker), which on weekends can be overwhelmed with visitors. The third, Kaeng Sopha (at the
Km 72 marker), is a larger area of small falls and rapids where you can walk from rock formation to rock forma-
tion - there are more or fewer rocks depending on rainfall. When there's enough water (typically from September
to November) any of the resorts along this section can organise white-water rafting trips on Lam Nam Khek.
Further east along the road is the 1262-sq-km Thung Salaeng Luang National Park ( 0 5526 8019, ac-
commodation 0 2562 0760; www.dnp.go.th ; admission 200B; 8am-5pm) , one of Thailand's largest and most
important wildlife sanctuaries. The entrance is at the Km 80 marker, where the park headquarters has information
on walks and accommodation.
If you have your own wheels, you can turn south at the Km 100 marker onto Rte 2196 and head for Khao Kho
(Khow Khor), another mountain lair used by the CPT during the 1970s.
If you've made the side trip to Khao Kho you can choose either to return to the Phitsanulok-Lom Sak highway,
or take Rte 2258, off Rte 2196, until it terminates at Rte 203. On Rte 203 you can continue north to Lom Sak or
south to Phetchabun.
Resort-style accommodation can be found along most of the Green Route, with budget accommodation clump-
ing near Kaeng Song, around Km 45, and at the various national parks ( 0 2562 0760; www.dnp.go.th ; tent
sites 30B, 2-8 person tents 150-600B, bungalows 300-5000B) . Several restaurants are located on the banks of
Nam Khek, most taking full advantage of the views and breezes.
Buses between Phitsanulok and Lom Sak cost between 68B and 95B, and run from 6am to 6pm. For more free-
dom it's best to do this route with your own wheels; cars can be hired via Budget ( Click here ) in Phitsanulok.