Koh Hong viewpoint
A staircase of about 400 steps to the top of Koh Hong, for a view over the whole group of islands.
5 places
Krabi's viewpoints and hikes, compared
The climbs to a view over Krabi's limestone and the sea side by side: how you get to the start, whether there is a fee, and when to go.
Almost every view worth climbing for in Krabi is a view of limestone: cliffs dropping into the sea, islands standing out of it. Each one is a climb, so the path matters as much as the view. Some are long staircases; a trail can be steep, slippery after rain, or more of a scramble than a walk.
Where a viewpoint is on an island, reaching the foot of the path is part of the plan, by tour or by ferry. The table below compares them on what changes a plan, then each viewpoint has its own page.
Compare at a glance
| Places | Access | Entry | Time to allow | Best time | Distance (from Ao Nang) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Hong viewpoint | By boat only | National park fee | The climb and back, within your stop on Koh Hong | Whenever your boat lands on Koh Hong | 16 km |
| Phi Phi Viewpoint | A real hike | Small entry fee | A climb from the village, there and back | When you sleep on Phi Phi Don: the day tours we list do not climb it | 32 km |
| Railay viewpoint and lagoon | A real hike | A short but hard scramble, there and back | On a dry day, in daylight, in proper shoes | 4 km | |
| Dragon Crest (Ngorn Nak) | A real hike | Most of a day on foot, up and back by the same trail | A dry day, with an early start | 8 km | |
| Khao Khanap Nam | By boat only | Small entry fee | A short longtail trip from the town pier | 12 km |
Phi Phi Viewpoint
Three paid viewpoints on a stepped trail above Ton Sai, looking down on Ton Sai and Loh Dalum.
Railay viewpoint and lagoon
A rope-and-mud scramble up the cliff between Railay East and Phra Nang, to a viewpoint and, down the far side, the Sa Phra Nang lagoon.
Dragon Crest (Ngorn Nak)
A forest trail of about 3.7 km each way and close to 500 m of climbing, to the viewpoint at the summit of Ngorn Nak.
Khao Khanap Nam
The two limestone towers that face each other across the Krabi River, the symbol of the town, with a cave you reach by longtail.
See these places with us
Krabi
Hong Islands by speedboat, with lunch
- Speedboat
- Lunch included
- Best for
- Seeing the enclosed lagoon of the Hong Islands in a day
- Skip if
- Fast open-sea crossings make you seasick
Things to do · Ao Nang
Ao Nang
Where most Krabi trips are based and most days out begin: the beach and its tide, what is within walking distance, which boat leaves from where, and what to do when the sea keeps the boats in.
Things to do · Railay
Railay
Railay is reached only by boat. Which boat, where it lands you, what to see once you are there, and whether to sleep on the peninsula or come for the day.
Things to do · inland
Tiger Cave and Emerald Pool
Away from the coast, Krabi is forest, limestone and fresh water: a temple at the top of a long staircase, a green pool you can swim in, hot springs, waterfalls and mangrove caves. What each one asks of you, and whether to go on a tour or by yourself.
Things to do · Phi Phi
Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi is two islands: Phi Phi Leh, with Maya Bay and its rules, seen on a day from Krabi, and Phi Phi Don, the island you can sleep on. What each one is, what disappoints, and how to fit them in.
Common questions
Do I need hiking gear for Krabi's viewpoints?
Not boots, but on any path wear proper shoes rather than flip-flops, and carry water. Each viewpoint's page says what the climb is like.
Is there a fee to climb?
Some viewpoints charge one, some are covered by a national park fee, and the amounts change. Where there is a fee it is usually paid in cash; each page gives what we have been able to check.