What it is
Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest mountain, at just over 2,565 metres, and the national park built around it is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Chiang Mai — compact enough to see several highlights in a single day, but varied enough to reward a longer visit if you have the time.
The twin royal pagodas
Phra Mahathat Napamethanidol and Phra Mahathat Naphapholphumisiri, built to honour the king and queen, sit near the summit area with landscaped gardens and, on a clear day, sweeping mountain views. They're the park's most photographed spot and usually the busiest.
Waterfalls
The park holds several notable waterfalls at different points along the main road, ranging from short walks from the car park to longer forest trails — Wachirathan and Mae Klang are among the most visited, each with a genuinely different character worth comparing if you have time for more than one stop.
The summit and hiking trails
The true summit itself is a short, easy boardwalk loop through unusually cool, mossy highland forest — noticeably colder than anywhere else near Chiang Mai, worth an extra layer even in the hot season. Longer hiking trails elsewhere in the park range from easy nature walks to more serious treks, some requiring a local guide.
Planning your day
Most visitors join an organised day tour or hire a private driver, since the park's highlights are spread across a fairly large area connected by mountain roads not well served by public transport. Allow a full day: roughly two hours' drive each way, plus genuine time at each stop.
Temperatures at the summit can be genuinely cold, especially in the early morning during the cool season — bring a warm layer even if you're sweating in the city that same day.