Best Climbing Spots in Thailand for Beginners
(2026 Handbook)

Hello friends, climbers, and curious wanderers. Welcome back to ByrdieOnTheRocks.

If you have been here before, you already know I like to start with a short intro and a few friendly notes. If you are new here, hi and welcome.

This is my little corner of the internet where I share travel stories, climbing experiences, and personal reflections from a beginner climber who is still learning along the way. I am not a professional climber and I do not write technical guides. What I share here is the real feeling of discovering new places as someone who loves climbing, traveling, and learning web development at the same time. It is a mix of chalk, code, curiosity, and honest experiences.

I sometimes include personal tips, but please always check the weather, consult certified guides, and put safety first when planning any outdoor climbing trip.

As an amateur outdoor climber who enjoys fun, relaxing, and easy climbs, exploring new places can feel intimidating, especially when visiting a new region. This guide focuses on beginner friendly climbing spots in Thailand that feel approachable, scenic, and enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

Lopburi, Thailand is one of my favorite places to climb, especially as a local. It is located about 170 kilometers from Bangkok, which makes it an easy two and a half hour drive. Many climbers visit Lopburi as a day trip from Bangkok.

The city is well known for its mischievous monkey gangs in Lopburi, but for climbers, it offers something much better. Quiet limestone walls, beginner friendly routes, and beautiful seasonal scenery make Lopburi a great choice for new outdoor climbers.

The best time to visit Lopburi is from November to January. During these months, the areas around the climbing walls transform into wide sunflower fields in Lopburi with a mountain backdrop. The weather is cool and comfortable, which makes Lopburi one of the most enjoyable beginner climbing destinations in Thailand during the dry season.

The main climbing area in Lopburi is Khao Chin Lae , which is where all of the climbing sectors are located. Khao Chin Lae is divided into several sections including Kitchen Wall, Temple Area, Star Wall, Sukhumvit Wall, Easter Island, and Secret Garden. More detailed information about each section and individual routes can be found on theCrag .

For beginners, the area I recommend the most is Secret Garden , which offers shaded walls and many easy graded routes that are ideal for climbers gaining outdoor experience.

Secret Garden is shaded, peaceful, and offers many easy graded routes. This makes it ideal for climbers who want to gain outdoor experience in a relaxed environment. During November and December, the cooler temperatures and shade create very comfortable climbing conditions.

Two beginner friendly and enjoyable routes in this area are School Wall 3 and School Wall 4. These routes are often used for teaching lead climbing or for relaxed top rope sessions. They were also some of the first routes where I learned to lead and clean anchors during my early climbing years.

There are multiple ways to access the Secret Garden area at Khao Chin Lae. Some local climbers use shorter approaches, but these paths may pass through privately owned farmland. To avoid any issues, I strongly recommend going with a local climber or using the main Temple Area access, which is well documented online and easier to follow.

If you want to read more about my climbing experience in Lopburi, you can check out my full Lopburi climbing post .

Khao Yoi is another excellent climbing location near Bangkok that is less known to visitors but popular among local climbers. It is located about 114 kilometers from Bangkok, which makes it roughly a one and a half hour drive. This makes Khao Yoi convenient for both day trips and short weekend stays.

Khao Yoi is located in Phetchaburi province, close to the coast. If you are willing to travel a bit further, Hua Hin is only about 90 kilometers away and is a popular beach town known for its fresh seafood. Many climbers combine climbing at Khao Yoi with a beach getaway.

There are two main climbing areas at Khao Yoi.

The Main Crag is located directly beside a small road, which makes access very convenient. You can park your car nearby and walk straight to the climbing wall. For beginner climbers, the routes here can feel slightly more challenging, as there are only a few lower grade climbs. One of the easier routes I climbed here is called No Name, graded at 5a. It is short but fun and suitable for beginners who want to gain confidence outdoors.

More detailed route information can be found on theCrag website.

This is my favorite climbing area in Khao Yoi. The routes are located inside a large cave where a Buddha statue sits at the center, creating a calm and unique climbing atmosphere.

Getting to the cave is straightforward by following directions to Khao Yoi Cave Temple, where there is a large parking area. From there, a short and well maintained hiking path leads to the cave. I personally enjoy this walk, as I like hiking and being surrounded by nature.

There are fewer routes in this area, but many of them are easy graded and enjoyable for beginner climbers. The cave stays noticeably cooler during the day compared to the outside temperature, which makes climbing here very comfortable.

One memorable route I climbed here is called Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil, graded at 5b. It is a tall route at around 27 meters with many good jugs along the way.

As always, climbers should check route conditions and bolt information on theCrag website before climbing.

No list of climbing spots in Thailand would be complete without mentioning Railay Beach in Krabi, one of the most iconic climbing destinations in the country.

Railay offers a huge variety of routes, including many beginner friendly options. It is especially welcoming for climbers who have never climbed outdoors before. There are many local guides available, which allows beginners to focus on climbing without worrying about route setup or anchor cleaning.

For climbers who already have some outdoor experience and are traveling with limited gear, equipment rentals are widely available in the area.

From my experience climbing in Railay in 2025 as an amateur climber, I would recommend two areas in particular

Despite being known for harder routes, the North Wall also offers a few easier options suitable for beginners. One route I really enjoyed is Carrie On, a lower grade climb that is both fun and rewarding.

What stood out to me most was not just the climbing, but the overall experience. The rock features, the relaxed atmosphere, and the surrounding scenery made this area very memorable.

You can read more about my experience climbing Carrie On in a previous blog post. Please excuse the design of that post, as it was one of the first blogs I published.

If you enjoy ocean views while climbing, I highly recommend Thaiwand Wall, located in the main Railay area. You can either stay in Railay or take a scenic boat ride from Ao Nang.

If you prefer convenience and do not want to worry about catching the last boat back to the mainland, staying in Railay is a good option. If you enjoy boat rides at sunrise or sunset, staying in Ao Nang works just as well.

Thaiwand Wall has many beginner friendly routes. You can read a more detailed breakdown of routes, logistics, and my personal climbing experience in my previous Railay climbing post.

Last year, I also visited a newer climbing area in Rayong called Khao Cha Ang, located about 170 kilometers from Bangkok. The area is still developing, so I highly recommend doing additional research and checking current conditions before visiting.

I wanted to include this spot because it has a lot of potential. The rock features are beautiful, and the area feels calm and relaxing. There are a few easy routes, which appear to be intended for teaching or practice.

Below are some photos from my visit, which give a better sense of the area and its atmosphere.