Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls
Limestone waterfalls you can walk straight up, because the rock is grippy rather than slippery.
Bua Tong, the 'Sticky Waterfalls', is a limestone cascade 60km north of Chiang Mai where the rock is grippy enough to walk up barefoot. Entry is free, a visit takes about two hours, and it is best on a weekday morning.
Prices and hours are our current best information, not a published rate. Confirm on the day before you travel.
Limestone waterfalls you can walk straight up, because the rock is grippy rather than slippery.
The falls are formed from travertine, a calcium carbonate deposit left by the mineral-rich spring water. Instead of the slippery algae that coats most Thai waterfalls, the surface here stays rough and porous — so you can literally walk up the face of the falls in trainers or bare feet. It is the only waterfall in Thailand where this reliably works.
It sounds like a gimmick and is actually great fun — children and adults climb the falls in bare feet. An hour north of Chiang Mai and easy to combine with a spa.
What you’ll actually see
- The three tiers of the main cascade, each with its own natural plunge pool
- Ropes fixed along the steeper sections to help you climb
- The forest around the falls, part of a royal reforestation project
- The small pool at the bottom tier that is shallow enough for children
How to visit it well
- Bring shoes with grip for the walk down; climb barefoot.
- There are ropes to hold on the steeper sections.
- Combine with the Pong Dueat hot springs nearby.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Wearing flip-flops — you need something with grip or bare feet
- Coming at midday in April when the rock is hot enough to hurt
- Leaving litter or soap; this is a protected spring, not a swimming hole for shampoo
Is it worth it?
A genuinely fun two hours and one of the few Thai waterfalls you can climb rather than look at. Combine it with Chiang Dao cave and the hot springs for a solid full day. Not worth the drive on its own from Chiang Mai.
Common questions
Yes, there is no entrance fee and parking is free. Donations go to the forest restoration project.
Yes. The travertine surface is rough and grippy. Children and older visitors do it comfortably with the fixed ropes.
November to February. In the rainy season the current is strong; in the dry season (March–May) the flow is gentle and the pools are warm.
About 60km north, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car via Mae Rim and Chiang Dao.
Tours that include Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls
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Last updated: October 2026 · Prices and hours checked by Kanya Pongsak