Your Complete Guide to East Railay Viewpoint

We spent 6 months traveling around Thailand, and visiting the Railay Peninsula was, without a doubt, one of our favorite things to do in Krabi.

The reason is Railay’s adventurous activities, such as rock climbing and climbing fantastic viewpoints – East Railay Viewpoint being one of them! Even though it was a short climb, it was pretty adventurous and left us quite muddy afterward! 

We still remember the moment we stood before the trailhead, not believing this was an actual way to the viewpoint. We got used to viewpoints being accessible by stairs (like the Hong Island viewpoint), so this was a nice challenge that satisfied us.

So here is our experience and everything you need to know before climbing East Railay Viewpoint, the best viewpoint in Railay.

About East Railay Viewpoint

One of the best things to do in Railay and Krabi is climb the Railay Viewpoint East, a well-known spot to enjoy breathtaking views of East and West Railay.

If you plan to hike to Railay Viewpoint, you might as well visit the Princess Lagoon (Sa Phra Nang), Railay’s hidden lagoon that starts on the same route. 

However, while East Railay Viewpoint is relatively easy to conquer (it’s considered as a moderate difficulty), you must be more confident and skilled to climb down the Railay Lagoon. Read more about that later in the article.

How to get to Railay Viewpoint East?

First, you need to reach Railay Beach (Railay Peninsula), and the best way to do that is by a longtail boat from Ao Nang Beach in Krabi. There are no roads connecting Railay to the rest of Krabi.

• We wrote a dedicated guide on how to reach Railay Beach from anywhere in Krabi and other areas in Thailand. Read here.

Then, to get to Railay East Viewpoint and Princess Lagoon trailhead, you must walk on the path connecting Railay East Beach with Phra Nang Beach. Midway is the start of the East Railay Viewpoint Hike. See the exact location here.

Don’t be surprised, but you’ll be looking at the vertical steep climb – rocks in combination with red clay and mud. Yes, that’s the start of East Railay Viewpoint and Princess Lagoon Hike. 😅

The start is well-signposted, with some rules and warnings beforehand, so it’s hard to miss it.

• Read before your trip: Best areas & hotels in Krabi (Guide)

East Railay Viewpoint hike details

Hiking to the Railay East viewpoint involves climbing a very steep wall with ropes through a muddy jungle, and it usually takes 15-20 minutes one way.

The loop trail for the East Railay Viewpoint hike is around 800 meters long.

The Railay Viewpoint hike can be done without climbing gear, and the ropes are only there to help you. If you’re taller, you won’t need to use ropes at all. Matej didn’t. Arijana is on the shorter side (164 cm – 5’4 feet), so ropes came in handy.

While short, Railay Viewpoint East is a pretty steep hike, and you should only do it if you’re confident enough to climb like this. We did it a day after it was raining, which made the climb much harder as everything was super slippery. It’s much easier on dry days.

Extend your hike to Railay Princess Lagoon

Railay Hidden Lagoon, also known as Sacred Princess Pool, is Railay’s best hidden gem. It is concealed in an open-ceiling cave, hence its name. Although it may have cloudy waters and sharp rocks, the surrounding foliage and tranquility make it a must-visit site.

While it’s still a known location, it’s not easy to get to, so it’s never super crowded. 

After you do the East Railay Viewpoint Hike and return to the crossroad, it’s only about 150 meters to the Railay’s hidden lagoon one way.

• Read next: Phuket Complete Travel Guide

Good to know: For the best conditions, you need to visit during high tide or otherwise, there might not be any water inside the lagoon. Check tidal charts here.

Our Experience climbing East Railay Viewpoint

Getting to the start of the trailhead

While the trailhead’s start took us by surprise, we came prepared: closed-toe shoes and clothes we don’t mind getting dirty. It was a smart decision, as we ended up quite dirty.

Climbing

Getting to Railay Viewpoint East was generally not that hard for us. However, the hike requires some rock scrambling, so we wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. If you’re moderately fit, you should be just fine.

The viewpoint

East Railay Viewpoint is a small opening with a view, shaded for most of the day, with trees all around it. 

The view is absolutely worth the hike, as it looks amazing.

Short loop trail

The short loop trail is mostly just a flat walk through the jungle – the viewpoint is the only thing to see.

Checking out the route to the lagoon

As we already said, we only checked the first part of the Railay Lagoon hike after the crossroads. However, that part was already very slippery, and people struggled to come down, so we decided to skip it this time. We’ll come back, though!

Climbing down

Climbing down was a bit more tricky (especially if you’re on the shorter side). Be especially careful if it’s slippery due to recent rain. 

After we came down, it was pretty clear that we’d been climbing the viewpoint. And it’s easy to recognize fellow travelers who did the same. 😅 So, depending on your plans later, you might want to take a spare change of clothes. 😊

Tips for Railay Beach Viewpoint Hike

Here are some tips to make your Railay Viewpoint East Hike more enjoyable:

Wear closed-toe shoes – They help a lot with climbing the sharp rocks and muddy trails. We do not recommend doing it in flip-flops. We saw some people who would rather hike barefoot than in flip-flops.

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy. Your clothes will get muddy, especially if you go after it rains. During dry months, it might be better. We recommend sporty clothes if you attempt the Princess Lagoon hike as well.

Be careful after rain – We can’t stress this one enough. The rocks do get slippery, so take it slow and easy. You don’t want to slip. Also, we don’t recommend Railay Lagoon after the rain.

Bring a small backpack – Don’t carry any stuff in your hands as you will need them to help you climb!

Check tides – Like beaches in the rest of Krabi and on islands like Koh Phangan, Railay beaches are also affected by tides. There might be very little water during low tide (almost none in the lagoon), so if you want perfect conditions, check tidal charts before visiting.

Bring swimwear – If you plan to visit the hidden Railay Lagoon, bring swimwear, as you can swim inside.

Best time to visit East Railay Viewpoint

The best time to visit East Railay Viewpoint and Princess Lagoon is during the dry season (November to April) and high tide when the beaches are full of water and look their best. 

Railay Viewpoint Hike is still possible in the rainy season, but you have to be more careful and choose your timing wisely. We did it at the end of May, a day after it was heavily raining, and it was a bit tricky. Plus, we had to skip the lagoon hike, so keep that in mind.

Where to stay in Railay?

The best areas to stay in Krabi are Ao Nang or Railay Beach. To secure the best deals, we recommend booking in advance.

Our recommended hotels in Railay Krabi:

$$$ Railay Bay Resort and Spa – tropical-style cottages, beachfront pools, and a massage service at the spa.
$$ Railay Phutawan Resort – well-equipped rooms and a stunning sea view from the bar and pool.
$ Railay Garden View Resort – rustic stay in its hillside bungalows

Read our complete Where To Stay in Krabi guide to help you decide which area is the best choice for you, plus recommendations of the best hotels.

Frequently Asked Questions

---

Thank you for reading our Guide on climbing East Railay Viewpoint. We hope we helped you plan your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

---

Continue reading