Forget the usual Chiang Mai tourist circuit. If you’re looking for a truly epic, hidden gem with views that will stop you in your tracks, you absolutely have to drive out to The Giant. Seriously, put this on your Chiang Mai bucket list right now!
When we visited in March 2025, it felt like we had the place practically to ourselves. Tucked deep into the mountains, not far from the popular village of Mae Kampong, The Giant isn’t just a cafe—it’s an experience built around a massive tree! Try to time your visit for lunch; you will not regret making the trek.
The Drive: Are You Ready for a Challenge?
First things first: getting here is an adventure. We rented a tiny Toyota at the Chiang Mai airport, and let me tell you, it was a white-knuckle climb!
If you plan on driving yourself, you must have a car with enough power to handle seriously steep and winding mountain roads. Our little rental car just barely made it up (and we noticed later guests had much bigger, stronger vehicles!).
The route is gorgeous, though! You drive toward Mae Kampong village, and shortly after the Teen Tok Royal Project Development Center (ศูนย์พัฒนาโครงการหลวงตีนตก), you’ll hang a left (just before The Stream House hotel). This is where the magic—and the steep climbing—begins!
The road winds through the most stunning, lush forest areas (keep your eyes peeled for beautiful, exotic birds!). While it’s challenging and requires slow speeds (it took us nearly 20 minutes to cover the last 7 km), the road quality is surprisingly good for such a remote area. Bonus: we saw almost no other traffic, so you won’t be dealing with bus convoys!
The View: Prepare to be Amazed
Once you arrive, park your car—there’s plenty of space. But the real moment of awe happens as soon as you step past the wooden fence separating the parking lot from the cafe.
BAM!
Built directly around a giant tree is a multi-tiered platform offering tons of seating and dining areas. No matter where you sit, you’re guaranteed an absolutely sensational, stunning view overlooking the dense, lush green valley.
Grab a spot, order some local Thai food, a Western dish, or just chill with a cold drink. This is a place to slow down and soak it all in.
Bridge to Adventure!
The best part? To enter the main restaurant area, you can take the normal stairs… or you can take the suspension bridge! Yes, you read that right. Don’t worry about the slight wobble—it just adds a fun, exciting element to the whole visit.
From up here, the view is pure, untamed nature. We could spot maybe one tiny house, but everything else was just a sea of green jungle. If you’re a nature lover, pay attention! We were lucky enough to spot some amazing birds, including a flash of blue!
Make It a Day Trip!
The trip to The Giant pairs perfectly with a visit to Mae Kampong.
- Head to The Giant for a long, relaxed lunch.
- Cruise down to Mae Kampong village in the late afternoon. This is the best time to be there, right before dark, as the village lights start to turn on, giving it a cozy, magical atmosphere.
- Stay for dinner in Mae Kampong!
If you’re considering staying overnight to make the most of the area, I highly recommend The Stream House. It’s conveniently located right at the turn-off point for both The Giant and Mae Kampong village!
Have you been to The Giant? Tell me about your drive and experience in the comments!
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