The Most Detailed Guide to the Erawan Falls Hike

Every guide on the internet tells you that there are seven sections of the Erawan Waterfalls. Okay. But how long is each section? Which one’s the hardest? Which one’s best for swimming?

These are all the questions I’m here to answer.

I hiked the falls while timing every section and taking notes, so that I could write the guide to the Erawan Falls hike I wish I could read before going.

Forget how much the park admission costs, everybody tells you that. But how long each section takes, which section is the hardest, and which takes the longest? You’ll find them all out here!

Want your answers RIGHT NOW? Click here and jump right to TLDR!

What Are the Erawan Falls?

The Erawan Waterfall, better known as the Erawan Falls, is the ultimate sight inside the Erawan National Park of Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

It’s known for its limestone cliffs and turquoise pools. Visitors get the perfect mix of hiking, swimming, and photo spots.

Why is the water always greenish blue? It’s the algae thriving on the water’s surface, thanks to the calcium carbonate from the limestone. They absorb red light and reflect green light!

Why Is It Called Erawan?

Did you know the name “Erawan” comes from Thai mythology?

Erawan is the three-headed white elephant who carries the god leader Indra and symbolizes protection and purity. Locals say the shape of the seventh tier resembles this sacred creature.

While most visitors come for the hike and swim, Erawan Falls remains a place where nature and folklore coexist, reflecting Thai people’s deep respect for mythical creatures.

Overview: Park Information and Trail Difficulty

Here’s your first chance to note down how much time you need to plan for your visit, how fit you need to be, and how much money to bring for admission.

How to Get to the Erawan Falls from Kanchanaburi

Erawan National Park is about an hour northwest of Kanchanaburi city.

Location: Erawan Falls – Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi 71250

You can get there in one of two ways.

Method 1: Public Bus

Public buses leave the city every hour or two for the Erawan Falls. The return buses are a bit more sparse, but still convenient as long as you know their schedule. I’ve got you!

Method 2: Rental Car (Recommended for Flexibility)

If you prioritize flexibility for your visit, I highly recommend renting a car and driving there. This way, you’re not always checking the time as you enjoy the hike and the pools.

Good-to-Know Information and Safety Tips

• There are no refill stations past the 2nd tier, so bring plenty of water.
• No food and drinks allowed beyond the 2nd tier
• Deposit 20 THB (US$0.7) for each bottle you bring past the 2nd tier. Get it back on return.
• Life jackets are mandatory for swimming. Rent at the 1st tier for 20 THB (US$0.7) for 2 hours.
• Save your lunch for after the hike, I don’t care how close to noon it is. Hiking on a full stomach in humid heat can give you trauma for years.

The Erawan Falls Trail: A Tier-by-Tier Breakdown

This is the information you came here for. Get ready to take notes!

Tier 1: “Lai Kuen Rung”

As you’ve probably guessed, you’ll need to hike to get to this waterfall, just like in most other places. The trail is out and back. You can pay 10 THB (US$0.3) to bypass the first 500 meters with a golf cart ride.

Otherwise, about 500 meters from the entrance, a 10-minute walk, you’ll arrive at the first tier.

Although it’s impossible not to feel excitement at all when you see a waterfall (raise your hand if you’re like me!), this tier was the most underwhelming for me.

It’s okay to take photos, but I’d say save your time for the next ones.

Get your life jacket here if you plan to swim at any tier. This is your first and last chance, and you won’t be let into the water without one. It’s 20 THB (US$0.6) for 2 hours.

Food and drinks, as well as restrooms, are available here. Keep in mind that you’ll have to finish all your food and drinks on the 1st and 2nd tiers.

Tier 2: “Wang Matcha”

Only 40 meters and a few steps upstairs from the first tier, you’ll find the second tier.

Believe it or not, the word “Matcha” is poetic Thai for fish. Sorry to disappoint you, but there are no green tea lattes waiting for you here, only a bunch of fish.

This tier is famous for its bright turquoise, deeper water, so you’ll find a lot of people swimming. A lot. It definitely was the most crowded pool when I went.

The restrooms on this tier are the last ones you’ll run into for the rest of the trail. Use them if you need.

If you have any plastic bottles on you, you’ll need to deposit money for each bottle you plan to bring past this tier.

The price is 20 THB per bottle, and you get your money back when you return with the bottle. No food is allowed past the checkpoint.

Tier 3: “Pha Numtok”

Four minutes past the bottle checkpoint, you come to the third tier, called “Pha Numtok,” which means “The Waterfall Cliff.”

This level is great for photos, with its well-shaded, mystical turquoise water and a majestic high waterfall. The water is quite shallow, though, so getting in the water isn’t the most exciting thing here.

After leaving this tier for the fourth, you’ll run into a fork in the trail, one paved, and the other a worn path that goes up a small hill. They’ll merge later, so don’t let the dilemma get to you.

You’ll also start the first intense climb of the trail here, on your way to the fourth tier. The stairway only has railings on one side. Please stay to the left and let the people coming down have them.

Another perk to conquering your first real climb is a lookout into the national park from above. The view is quite something. Plus, there are a few benches where you can rest and catch your breath.

Tier 4: “Oke Nang Phee Sue”

After 15-20 minutes of climbing up and down the stairs from the third tier, roughly 300 meters, get ready for some waterslides.

The fourth tier, called “Oke Nang Phee Sue,” is another solid option for some real swimming. The water is quite deep, with two big limestone cliffs resembling a butterfly, where you can slide down into the pool.

There is much less crowd here than on the second tier. Not everyone has the time or energy to climb those stairs.

NOTE: Tiers 5-7 are closed to public access after 3:30 PM, as they are less well-paved, with more stairs, and take one hour to complete. If you’ve gotten to this point, you’re halfway into the 2-mile trail.

The stretch between tiers 4 and 5 is the longest one, 500 meters in length and taking roughly 20-25 minutes.

The good news is that there’s more boardwalk space than stairs. You only have to be careful because the wood gets slippery when wet.

There’s also a high chance you’ll see monkeys here! Pause for a few minutes at this rest stop in the photo below, and maybe they’ll come out to greet you. Just a few notes:

• It’s illegal and harmful to the monkeys to feed them.
• Do not try to pet them. They can be vicious.
• If you wish to film them, keep your distance.
• Do not put your hands inside your pockets or bag. They will think you have food and will jump on you.

Tier 5: “Bue Mai Long”

One of the best spots for photos, the 5th tier is also best for chilling and swimming. Anything you want, basically. The tier is made up of multiple shallow levels, creating a beautiful landscape of smaller waterfalls.

This also means you can sit on one of the little cliffs and take in the serenity for hours, hence the tier name, “Bue Mai Long,” which means, “impossible to be bored.”

The lighting is best at around 11 AM.

The path to the next tier isn’t strenuous, but it is quite wild, literally. There are tree roots and rocks lining the trail with minimal paving, so be careful not to twist your ankle or anything. Don’t rush.

This section takes about 10 minutes.

Tier 6: “Dong Pruek Sa”

Dong Pruek Sa means “A Forest Full of Plants,” and you’ll see why.

While you unfortunately can’t swim on this tier, the greenery is quite healing. Make sure to explore every part of the boardwalk so you don’t miss out on any cool sights it has to offer.

If you visit in February, you’ll notice the lack of water on this tier the most. There are still some small streams, but they won’t cover the cliffs like they would in the rainy months.

Once you’re ready to see the finale, make your way up the 6-minute climb to the 7th tier.

This section, while not long, has lots of stairs. You know those never-ending steps on an uphill trail? This is it. I counted almost 200 steps, which is cute for frequent hikers, but if you don’t usually hike, get ready.

Tier 7: “Phu Pha Erawan”

Once you’ve survived the hundred steps of stairs, you’ll be so glad you did because this tier is absolutely stunning. Don’t forget to look for the three-headed elephant!

The name, “Phu Pha Erawan,” is straightforward. It means “The Cliffs of Erawan.”

Similar to tier 5, you can swim and chill in pretty shallow water here, too, but in a more contained space. There are two small pools, one clear and the other bright turquoise.

The clear pool can give you a pretty intense fish spa if you stay still in it long enough. There are also bees flying. They are mellow, so they won’t sting, but please do NOT swat.

The Way Back Down

I practically ran back down the entire trail after seeing the top tier, and it took me 25 minutes.

If you also sightsee and take your time, it should take around 45 minutes to an hour. More if you plan to swim on your way down.

Reminder: Don’t forget to get your money back for the plastic bottle at the checkpoint on the 2nd tier!

How Long Does the Erawan Falls Hike Take?

Most articles will tell you that it takes an hour and a half to do the trail. They’re not wrong…if you do absolutely nothing else but stride through it, of course. Don’t believe them.

Hiking at a fairly quick pace, but stopping for 10-15 minutes at each level to take in the views, I took 180 minutes to get to the 7th tier and back out. That’s 3 hours. It will take more if you plan to swim.

So, in a nutshell:

I recommend visiting in the morning, 11 AM at the latest. It gets hotter in the afternoon, and you won’t have access to the last 3 tiers after 3:30 PM.

What to Bring to the Hike

• A lightweight towel and a change of clothes
• Mosquito repellent; only THIS ONE works on Thai mosquitoes. They ignore everything else.
• If you wish to avoid paying the plastic deposit, an eco-friendly water bottle
• Swimsuit under your hiking outfit

I wanted to focus on hiking up and then relax on my way down, so I wore good shoes and hung a pair of flip-flops on my backpack, then changed before coming down. It was a good way to go!

TLDR: Quick Rundown of Everything

• Best for swimming: Tiers 2 and 4
• Best for relaxing: Tier 5
• Best for photos: Tier 3, 5, and 7
• Most strenuous sections: Between tiers 3 and 4, between tiers 6 and 7
• Longest section: Between tiers 4 and 5

I highly recommend focusing on getting to the top first, and then spending your time swimming and relaxing on your way down. This way, you won’t have to worry about rushing up the last 3 tiers before they close.

If you plan on spending a few days in Kanchanaburi, visiting the more somber WWII sites like Hellfire Pass the day before could enhance your experience at Erawan big time. I did the same thing.

Got Only One Day for Kanchanaburi?

While I recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Kanchanaburi, not everyone has the PTO days needed to make that happen. I get it!

There are plenty of day tours leaving from Bangkok that give you a good visit to the Erawan Falls. This one I’m sharing below comes highly recommended with a solid itinerary.

For guides to other regions and provinces, check my Thailand Cultural Travel page.

Helpful Travel Tips for Thailand

All visitors need to fill out a Digital Arrival Card no longer than 3 days before their trip to Thailand. And if applicable, a visa.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Grab, Papago AI Translator, Google Maps

Learn the dos and don’ts in Thai culture and some local phrases before arriving.

Don’t forget to always have cash on hand. The smaller the notes, the better!

Grab My Thailand E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

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