Marvel Overland Holiday

Lying approximately half way between Lampang and Chiang Mai, it's one of Thailand's oldest parks, having received it status in 1974. The highest point, at 1,373 metres, is much lower than mountains further north but there's still a wide range of flora zones, from dry dipterocarp and secondary forest at lower levels, through teak stands and lusher gallery forests in the valleys, to evergreen and pine on the summits. Bamboo and secondary forest grows where teak was harvested in earlier times.

The park's neither undisturbed nor big enough to support mammals larger than boar, deer and squirrels but it is very good for bird, butterfly and insect life due to the wide range of flora. The park is also known for its wild orchids.

The park and scenery are picturesque rather than dramatic; there are no spectacular sites as such but there’s some enjoyable hiking to be had, plus the facilities are excellent and access is relatively easy. We found on our stop through that the park staff were helpful, accommodation very good, trails reasonably well marked and there were a couple of