Khao Takiab: Monkey Mountain of Hua Hin – An Eventful Ascent

The majestic Monkey Mountain – also referred to as the Chopstick Mountain – is a 77m tall behemoth that guards the passage onto to Hua Hin Beach. The ascent up this mountainside can be quite the adventure and should make for an excellent excursion if you’re ever in the area.

The Location

The Khao Takiab is found about 7km south of Hua Hin, meaning it’s a relatively quick drive away if you’re staying in a hotel in Hua Hin, such as the Anantara Hua Hin. It is also worth noting that the popular Khao Takib Village is only a kilometer away from the mountain – the perfect place to rest up after trekking up and down Khao Takib.

The Monkeys

There’s a reason that the Khao Takib is called Monkey Mountain – it’s because of all the monkey of course! Here giant troops that can be up to a hundred strong roam freely and are looked after by the temple’s monks. You can observe these fascinating primates play, forage and go about their lives – just remember to keep your distance, they have a tendency to be aggressive.

The View

As you ascend the sloping paths of the mountain past the resident primate troops, your legs may start to ache and you might feel fatigue creeping up on you. Keep going though, because the view that awaits up top makes it all worth it. From the peak, you’ll get an unparalleled view of Hua Hin and the surrounding coastline – a sight you won’t soon forget.

The Temple

The view isn’t the only thing you’ll find at the top of Khao Takiab – there’s also the fascinating temple called the Wat Khao Takiab, For Buddhists, this is a truly sacred place as it contains a sacred tooth relic of the Buddha himself.