Massage After the Doi Suthep Hike: A Sore-Legs Guide
After the Monk's Trail up to Doi Suthep, or a long day of walking around the Old City, a foot massage or a foot, back and shoulder massage is the simplest choice for tired legs. If your thighs and hips feel tight, a traditional Thai massage stretches them out. If your muscles just ache, hot oil or a sports massage may suit you better. Many guests book for the same evening or the next day, and drinking plenty of water helps either way.
We see plenty of guests with sore calves after a big walking day, so here is what we suggest.
Why your legs feel it
The Monk's Trail starts at the end of Suthep Road on the western edge of the city and climbs through forest to Wat Pha Lat, a quiet temple roughly halfway up the mountain. That first part is about 1.5 km one way and climbs around 200 metres. Many people continue up the steeper second section to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which sits at roughly 1,050 to 1,070 metres. Hiking the full route means gaining around 600 metres, which is a real climb, and many hikers find the walk back down tough on the thighs too.
You do not need a mountain to get sore legs, though. A day of temple-hopping in the Old City adds up quickly, and the Sunday Walking Street market runs for about a kilometre along Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate, slowly, on hard pavement, in a crowd. By the end of the evening many people's feet are done.
If you are planning the hike, the AllTrails page for the Monk's Trail has a map and recent trail reports. It advises against the rainy season, roughly July to October, when the trail can be washed out and slippery.
Which massage to choose
| How you feel | What we suggest | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|
| Tired, aching feet and calves | Foot massage | 350 THB |
| Tired legs and a stiff upper back from a day pack | Foot, back and shoulder | 400 THB |
| Tight thighs, hips and hamstrings | Thai massage | 350 THB |
| Muscles that ache all over | Hot oil massage | 750 THB |
| Hard-worked muscles, a focused session | Sports massage | 600 THB |
A few notes to help you choose:
- Foot massage is the easy, sit-back option. You stay dressed and relax in a recliner. Many guests find it the most welcome thing after a long walk. See our foot massage page.
- Thai massage works the legs, hips and back with pressure and stretches. If you came down the mountain with tight thighs, the stretching may feel very good. Read more on our Thai massage page.
- Hot oil and sports massage are good if your muscles feel sore rather than tight. The prices for every length are on our services page.
If you want time on both your legs and your back, consider 1.5 or 2 hours.
When to book
There is no single right time, and it depends on how your legs feel.
- The same evening. Many guests like a gentle foot massage or a softer Thai massage a few hours after the hike, once they have showered, eaten and had something to drink.
- The next day. If your legs are very sore the next morning, that is a good time too. Ask for softer pressure on the sorest spots.
- Around a walking day. You could also book the evening before the Sunday Walking Street or a long temple day, and again after.
Whenever you come, tell your therapist where you are sore. Our therapists check the pressure with you during the massage, and you can always ask for lighter work on tender muscles.
If you have pain that is sharp, a swollen joint, or you think you may have injured yourself on the trail, please see a doctor before booking a massage. The same goes if you are pregnant, have had recent surgery or have blood-pressure problems.
Drink water
Chiang Mai is warm, and a hike up Doi Suthep or an afternoon in the Old City means a lot of sweating. Drink plenty of water during the day, before your massage and afterwards. We serve water to every guest after their massage, and we recommend having more through the evening.
Getting here
Our shop is in Chang Phueak, north-west of the Old City and a short ride from Nimman. We are in front of Huen Jao Ban Hotel, with free parking in the hotel. Directions are on our location page.
We are open 10:00 to 23:00 on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00 to 22:00 on Wednesday, and 13:00 to 23:00 on Saturday. Walk-ins may wait 10 to 15 minutes while a therapist is called in, so booking ahead helps.
Too tired to come out again? We also visit hotels and condos anywhere in the city for the menu price plus 200 THB.
Done with the walking for today? Book your massage here.
Ready when you are. Pick your treatment, therapist and time, and send it to us on WhatsApp or LINE.
