Known for its beautiful mountain and forest walks, cool streams, waterfalls and orchards, Khao Luang National Park surrounds the 1835m peak of Khao Luang. A soaring mountain range covered in virgin forest and a habitat for a plethora of bird species, it's a good spot for any budding ornithologist. There are over 300 species of orchid in the park, some of which are found nowhere else on earth.
It's possible to rent park bungalows , sleeping six to 12 people. There's a restaurant at park headquarters. Camping is permitted along the trail to the summit.
To reach the park, take a sŏrng·tăa·ou (around 35B) from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Lan Saka; drivers will usually take you the extra way to park headquarters. The entrance to the park and the offices of the Royal Forest Department are 33km from the centre of Nakhon on Rte 4015, an asphalt road that climbs almost 400m in 2.5km to the office and a further 450m to the car park. Plenty of up-to-date details are available on the park's website.
