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Lopburi (also written Khao Chin Lae, or Khao Jeen Lae) is a limestone tower about 200 metres high, 160 km north of Bangkok and 14 km east-northeast of Lopburi town. theCrag logged 127 routes there on 21 October 2026, graded 3a to 8a.
This is the strictest set of access rules of any crag in this series. Not because of the climbing, but because you have to walk through a temple courtyard to reach the base of the wall — and that temple has explicit conditions: twenty climbers a day, advance registration, out before six in the evening, and a greeting to the monks on the way in and on the way out.
What kind of crag this is
Six sectors, which makes it one of the larger mid-sized crags in Thailand:
| Sector | Routes | Height | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secret Garden | 43 | 19 m | Reached from the back of the mountain; the most routes and 448 ascents |
| Temple Area | 38 | 46 m | Reached through the temple; the tallest in the area with 424 ascents |
| Kitchen Wall | 19 | 21 m | Only 37 ascents — comparatively unloved |
| Sukhumvit (Red Wall) | 15 | 24 m | Developed around 2023, 132 ascents |
| Star Wall | 10 | 35 m | Reopened around 2023, only 22 ascents |
| Easter Island | 2 | 44 m | Only two routes, but both 43–44 metres long |
theCrag's summary says "over 100 routes, single and some multi pitch climbing, just 2-hours away from Bangkok". The description adds: "a tower with a few established multipitch routes that go up to 200 metres."
Multipitch is Lopburi's signature. The Temple Area has some genuinely long lines:
- Waltz for a Lovely Wife (6a, 210 m): two pitches — 30 m (5+, 13 quickdraws) then 25 m (5, 8 quickdraws).
- Corcovado (6b, 140 m): the first pitch is shared with Three Dwarves and a Nut, the second is 22 m (6a, 6 quickdraws). theCrag gives it ★★★.
- Time Capsule (6b, 85 m): a four-pitch route on the Sukhumvit wall, which can become five if you start on Prik or Prik Thai.
- Death Star (6c, 120 m): six pitches on the Star Wall — 6c / 6a+ / 6a / 6a / 6b+ / 6c.
- Avocado Super Smoothie (6a+, 79 m), The Fakir (6a+, 44 m), Gillette Road (6b+, 43 m, two pitches).
When to go
Lopburi sits north of Bangkok, in central Thailand, and the seasons match the capital.
| Months | Conditions | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Nov–Feb | Dry season, most comfortable | The best window. Bangkok runs 30–33°C by day and around 23°C at night from December to February |
| Mar | Getting hot | Climb early and late |
| Apr–May | Hot, start of the wet season | Climb at dawn and dusk only |
| Jun–Oct | Monsoon | Wet rock and rockfall risk |
Sun is the thing to plan around here. Travel notes record it directly: the walls face east, so in the dry season only the first few morning hours catch the sun. That is the reverse of the usual problem — instead of avoiding midday sun, you climb while it is still cool and spend the rest of the day in shade. For people who hate heat, that is good news.
theCrag tags the whole crag as north-facing (Temple Area and most sectors list north in their aspect field), which contradicts the east-facing note. Go with what you see on the ground.
Getting there
Public transport
There is no public transport to the crag. Lopburi town has a train station on the northern line, but nothing connects the town to the crags. In practice you drive, hire a car, or join a Bangkok climbing group's trip.
By car
About 160 km north of Bangkok and roughly 2 hours (theCrag's summary says "just 2-hours away from Bangkok"). The crag is 14 km east-northeast of Lopburi town, at 14.831193, 100.753561.
Parking
Park in the driveway of 1st Pitch Thailand, opposite the temple. theCrag includes a very specific warning: do not park along the barbed wire fence, because tractors need to pass there during the day. There is a toilet at the back of the house, and you can pay for the facilities by QR code on the middle door.
Two approaches
theCrag calls it "pick your poison":
- Temple Access (10–20 minutes): through the temple — steeper but faster, and it reaches more sectors. Go through the gaps in the temple's locked white fence; do not hop it. Past the back of the temple there are two sets of steps; take the right one that looks steep all the way up until it hits a dirt path, then follow the path to a clearing, which is the left side of the Temple Area.
- Back Access (20–30 minutes): around the back of the mountain — longer but more relaxed, past a house with geese and a farm-like clearing, then along the path with tyre marks for about five minutes to an abandoned wooden shed, then one more minute to a small entrance into the bushes. The entrance is marked by a tree with two brown ropes tied at the top (look high) and a blue water bottle between the branches. That takes you into the right side of the Secret Garden.
First time, take the Temple Access — the landmarks are easier to follow (Soi 11 opposite the De Loft Hotel, the Emerald Muay Thai gym). But that route goes through the temple, which means the temple's rules apply to you.
Rules to know before you go
This is the most important section of the guide. Lopburi's status is Tolerated, and "tolerated" comes with conditions that are written down.
The temple rules
The Temple Area is accessed through Wat Pa Suwannahong, a place of worship. theCrag writes:
The monks have been extremely nice to us climbers. The only request they have made is that climbers going to the cliff come by and say hello, and again when they leave so they know that you are safe. Please make a small donation (20 baht - 100 baht) in the donation box available on the steps if you can, this will help us maintain a good relationship with the monks.
Twenty people a day, out before 6pm
These two are hard requirements:
- Since March 2023 there is a limit of 20 climbers per day, to preserve a peaceful relationship with the temple and the surrounding community. You must register in advance (the registration link is on the theCrag crag page).
- You must have left the crag before 6pm, because the temple does not want people coming down in the dark. theCrag stresses that this is very important for keeping the relationship — and the crag open.
In other words: Lopburi is a crag with opening hours. You cannot arrive in the morning and stay until dusk.
Each approach serves one area
Temple Access leads to the Temple Area; Back Access leads to the Secret Garden. theCrag describes both paths in detail (see above), and this is the part to prepare most carefully on a first visit.
The topos are old, and there are three
theCrag offers three legacy topos: from the original developers (Ben, Jack and others), the TCDA 2017 edition (not including development after 2022), and the TCDA 2023 Rebolted Topo. The page notes they are not comprehensive of all routes in the area, and exist to help you plan while the crag data is brought up to date.
The 2023 edition focuses on the rebolted routes, but which routes were rebolted and what the bolts are made of is not stated. So Lopburi's bolt information is incomplete — until you have better data, check the hanger and nut yourself.
Bolt warnings
A few per-route notes you should not ignore:
- Cowboy Rider (7a, Sukhumvit): theCrag flags "Fixed Gear: Possible loose hanger".
- Krup Cake (7b+, Sukhumvit): "Possible loose hangers on route 6B/6C until the last 2 bolts".
- Bai Mai Pue Chivit (6b, Temple Area): "First bolt missing a hanger?"
- Sheeeeeeeeit Lom (6b, Sukhumvit): "the first route at Sukhumvit Wall which was climbed ground up on trad then rap-bolted later" — a 2023 line with no long-term wear data.
Routes by level
YDS and V-grade conversions follow the Mountain Project international grade comparison chart and are approximate; "approx." marks grades the sources give without a/b/c (such as 4 or 5+). The original grade is the one that counts.
The tables come from theCrag's per-sector pages, read 21 October 2026, covering Temple Area left side, Star Wall, Sukhumvit and Easter Island. This guide does not list all 43 Secret Garden routes or the 19 Kitchen Wall routes one by one; theCrag has them.
Beginner: up to 6a (YDS 5.10a and below)
Lopburi's beginner lines cluster in the 5s at the Temple Area, where High and Low and Last Day share a start. 8c+ (5c) is one of the simplest routes in the area.
| Route | Grade | YDS | Length / pitches | Sector | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prik | 4 | approx. 5.4–5.5 | 10 m | Sukhumvit | ★★; Matt Chatfield, 2023-12 |
| Prik Thai | 4c | 5.6 | 10 m | Sukhumvit | ★; shares an anchor with Prik |
| High and Low / Low and high | 5 | approx. 5.7–5.8 | 17 m | Temple Area | ★; shares the start with Last Day; the anchor has two pigs tails for lowering |
| Three Dwarves and a Nut | 5 | approx. 5.7–5.8 | 18 m | Temple Area | ★; David and Monty Estey, 2000 |
| 8c+ | 5c | 5.9 | 15 m | Temple Area | ★; Cheang Qing Xin, 2018-01-28 |
| Drama Queen | 5c | 5.9 | 12 m | Sukhumvit | ★★; Mimi Chindasook, 2023-12 |
| Losange | 6a | 5.10a | 10 m | Temple Area | ★★; Jean-Jacques Braun and Michael Pedenon, 2001 |
| It Fits | 6a | 5.10a | 14 m | Temple Area | ★★; shares the start with Arai Wa? |
| Arai Wa? | 6a | 5.10a | 18 m | Temple Area | ★; shares the start with It Fits |
| Night Vision | 6a | 5.10a | 22 m | Temple Area | ★★; the overhanging section makes it harder than other 6as here |
| Manao | 6a | 5.10a | 26 m | Star Wall | Woropat Klapsawat (Tao), 2005; maintained 2023-06 |
| Lost Star | 6a | 5.10a | 15 m | Star Wall | ★; the first route on the left-hand wall of the upper tier |
| Little Star | 6a+ | 5.10b | 16 m | Star Wall | ★; the second route on the left-hand wall |
Intermediate: 6a+ to 6c+ (YDS 5.10b–5.11c)
This is Lopburi's thickest band. The multipitch routes cluster here, and it is where the two approaches are worth comparing.
| Route | Grade | YDS | Length / pitches | Sector | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Night Star | 6a+ | 5.10b | 20 m | Star Wall | ★★; the right-hand most route in the upper tier |
| Ging Thong Bai Yok | 6a+ | 5.10b | 18 m | Temple Area | ★★; slightly intimidating start; Gee Srisuwan, 2022-12-07 |
| Ging Kan Bai | 6a+ | 5.10b | 27 m | Temple Area | ★★; good for outdoor beginners, very cruisey all the way; Gee Srisuwan, 2022-12-09 |
| Avocado Super Smoothie | 6a+ | 5.10b | 79 m | Temple Area | ★; starts just left of Waltz, on the left side of the banyan tree; Yew, Yew Liang and QX |
| S&M | 6a | 5.10a | 15 m | Sukhumvit | ★; Matt Chatfield, 2023-12 |
| Crazy Spanish People | 6a+ | 5.10b | 16 m | Sukhumvit | ★★; a tribute to David and Xavi |
| Samitivej One Arm Warrior | 6a | 5.10a | 23 m | Sukhumvit | ★★; the last route on the right, with a fun stemming section; belayer wears a helmet |
| Anchor Spanker | 6b+ | 5.10d | 17 m | Temple Area | ★★; the anchor has two rings and no chain |
| Bai Mai Pue Chivit | 6b | 5.10c | 26 m | Temple Area | ★★; theCrag flags a missing hanger on the first bolt; Tung Voravit, 2022-12-08 |
| Dok Yer Kan Yai | 6b | 5.10c | 27 m | Temple Area | ★★; Gee Srisuwan, 2022-12-11 |
| Dok Yai Bai Yer | 6b+ | 5.10d | 28 m | Temple Area | ★★; low first crux, body positioning throughout, a little run out at the top |
| Corcovado | 6b | 5.10c | 140 m | Temple Area | ★★★; long route; the first pitch is shared with Three Dwarves and a Nut |
| Waltz for a Lovely Wife | 6a | 5.10a | 210 m | Temple Area | ★★; one of the longest multipitches at Lopburi |
| Nampueng | 6b+ | 5.10d | 28 m | Star Wall | Ben Grasser and Kris Pattarasirin, 2005; maintained 2023-06 |
| Ao Carrot Ma Fak | 6c+ | 5.11c | 30 m | Star Wall | Ben Grasser, 2005; maintained 2023-06 |
| Stargate | 6c | 5.11a/b | 30 m | Star Wall | ★★★; a cool, weird, technical climb up the wide corner crack; Gee Srisuwan, 2023-04-12 |
| Crispy Tofu! | 6c | 5.11a/b | — | Sukhumvit | ★★★; easy climbing to a dynamic crux, "jump for glory to a jug" |
| Time Capsule | 6b | 5.10c | 85 m | Sukhumvit | ★★★; four pitches (five if you start on Prik or Prik Thai), the Sukhumvit wall's signature multipitch |
| Sheeeeeeeeit Lom | 6b | 5.10c | 27 m | Sukhumvit | ★; the first Sukhumvit route, climbed ground up on trad then rap-bolted |
| Last Day | 6c+ | 5.11c | 32 m | Temple Area | Two pitches (5 / 6c+), shares the start with High and Low; David Estey and others, 2000 |
Advanced: 7a to 7c+ (YDS 5.11d–5.13a)
Lopburi has few 7s, but two of them are locally acknowledged classics: Lum Yai (7a+) and Cowboy Rider (7a).
| Route | Grade | YDS | Length / pitches | Sector | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboy Rider | 7a | 5.11d | 26 m | Sukhumvit | ★★★; a mega classic route, a wide variety of styles; possible loose hanger; Gee Srisuwan, 2024-01 |
| Lum Yai | 7a+ | 5.12a | 36 m | Temple Area | ★★; one of the best lines in Lop Buri, beautiful sustained climbing |
| Star Trek | 7a+ | 5.12a | 30 m | Star Wall | ★★★; cool moves with a technical crimpy crux; Gee Srisuwan, 2023-06-26 |
| Spice and Aroma | 7a+ | 5.12a | — | Sukhumvit | ★★; easy start until the overhanging arete, then powerful bouldery moves |
| Tonk Train | 7b | 5.12b | — | Sukhumvit | ★★★; fun boulder start, crux right before the ledge, "crux sandwich" |
| Leverage - งัดถั่งงัด งัดถั่งงัด (Ngat tha Ngat tha Ngat) | 7b | 5.12b | 36 m | Temple Area | ★★★; left of Nok Khao, into the cave and out to the ledge |
| Tuk Tuk, Where You Go? | 7c | 5.12d | 18 m | Sukhumvit | ★★; same start as Cowboy Rider, move right after the fourth bolt |
| Sexual Climber | 7c | 5.12d | 27 m | Sukhumvit | ★; starts left of the big tree, then the angle kicks back |
| Star Cheewit (สะตาร์ ชีวิต) / Star Fish | 7c | 5.12d | 30 m | Star Wall | Boat Metawaj, 2023-04; there is a rest hold shaped like a starfish |
| Leverage Leverage Leverage!! | 7c+ | 5.13a | 45 m | Temple Area | Extension of Leverage; some features here are really fragile; Kang, 2024-01-11 |
| Death Star | 6c | 5.11a/b | 120 m, 6 pitches | Star Wall | Six pitches: 6c / 6a+ / 6a / 6a / 6b+ / 6c; Gee Srisuwan and others, 2024-02 |
Expert: 8a and up (YDS 5.13b and up)
Lopburi has no 8a routes. The 127 routes theCrag logs top out at 8a+, but across the sector pages the highest route is Leverage Leverage Leverage!! at 7c+.
theCrag's Nearby Icons list separately names Gluay Gluay (กล้วยๆ) 8a and The Fakir 6a+, and both appear in the Lopburi photo captions. Gluay Gluay 8a does not appear in any sector's route list, so this guide does not put it in a band table — when a band has no verifiable route, the only honest thing to do is say so.
Where to look things up
- Online databases: theCrag's Lopburi page has all 127 routes, the six sectors, both approach descriptions, the registration link for the 20-climber daily cap, the parking rules and the downloads for the three legacy topos. It is the only complete source for Lopburi.
- Local operators: 1st Pitch Thailand, opposite the temple, runs guiding (contact via their Facebook page) and is also the recommended parking and toilet. They know the day's quota situation and the monks' requirements.
- Route topos: the theCrag page offers three legacy PDF topos — the original developers' version, TCDA 2017, and TCDA 2023 Rebolted. Download all three and bring them; paper is valuable at a crag with no complete online data.
- Guidebooks: grades and route counts here come mainly from online databases; the guidebook is the authority. Lopburi has no dedicated printed guide — the Central & Northeast Thailand Rock Climbing Guidebook (1st edition 2018) does not list Lopburi in its coverage. You rely on theCrag's old topos plus local information.
References
- theCrag: Khao Jeen Lae
- theCrag: Temple Area - Left Side
- theCrag: Star Wall
- theCrag: Sukhumvit (Red Wall)
- theCrag: Easter Island
- TCDA, the Thai Climbing Development Association
- Mountain Project: Lop Buri
- The Crag Journal: Climbing in Thailand (2023, on Lopburi and the other crags)
- Kinetics Climbing: Central & Northeast Thailand Rock Climbing Guidebook (does not cover Lopburi)
- thailand-weather.org: Thailand climate