Phraya Nakhon Cave

I really enjoyed visiting Phraya Nakhon Cave – it is definitely worth going. On the way there, I chose to hike over the first hill from the very beginning. It took about 25–35 minutes, with a short stop along the way because the views are absolutely beautiful. After descending the first hill, you reach a beach area with a few cafés where you can buy food, drinks, and ice cream and take a short break. From there, the second part of the journey leads to the main cave where the temple is located. This part requires more effort and energy, and you will definitely sweat more. There are many stairs going uphill, and at some points you climb up and then descend again in the middle of the hill. Make sure to bring water with you, as there is nowhere to buy it on this part of the trail. Halfway up the hill, there were two young boys providing what seemed to be medical assistance in case someone felt unwell while climbing, which was reassuring. The view inside the cave is beautiful and truly worth the effort. On the way back, once you reach the beach, you can take a boat back to the starting point. I personally chose to hike back the same way because I enjoyed the walk so much. But if you are too tired, taking a boat is a good option. Highly recommended! P.S. I was traveling with rent car, on January 2026, so the bridge was still on repair, so use wooden bridge, one hundred metre before the main bridge on the right side of the road.

We were there on Monday, around 10am and decided to take a boat to skip the first leg of hike as we have a 2nd hike after this. There's a carpark and you can pay the entrance fee there. Should you decide to take a boat, you can buy the tickets at the table near the area you pay for the entrance fees. After you pay for the boat ride, they will tell you which boat number assigned to you, this will also be the same boat number that you will take when you come back. Do take note that the boat does not come up all the way to the shore so u definitely have to step into the water to climb onto the boat, similarly you have to jump back into the water when you alight (water around knee height) The climb is quite rocky. I consider myself moderately fit as I strength train 2-3 times per week and walk 5 times a week. I have old injuries on one knee and another ankle. While it's not difficult for me to climb, it's challenging for me when I'm descending. The cave itself is quite mesmerizing, it's worth the climb, IMHO. Take your time and enjoy the hike. So far, I've done 3 hikes in Hua Hin. This is how I would rank them (1 being most difficult): 1. Khao Daeng View Point 2. Nakhon Caves 3. Khao Nang Panthurat Forest Park Hope this helps.

We really enjoyed the visit. The temple is beautiful and we even saw a few monkeys along the way. However, it is important to know that the visit can be quite physically demanding, especially because of the heat and humidity. The first part of the route is relatively manageable, and you can even take a boat to avoid part of the walk. But this is not the hardest section. The second part, which leads up to the cave, cannot be done by boat and involves a steep climb. With the heat and humidity, it becomes really challenging. I am in good physical condition, but I still found it quite difficult, so it’s something visitors should be aware of! Overall, it’s definitely worth the effort, but it’s better to come prepared for the physical challenge.