Phu Kradueng is a giant, heart shaped, sandstone mountain in northeastern Thailand. It is located in a region more commonly known as Isan. Phu Kradueng means "Bell Mountain" in Thai for the bell-shaped peak that makes up the summit. It consist of a lone, steep-sided mountain, which rises out of a flat plain that covers over 134 square miles and is crowned by a 23 square mile plateau.
There is an abundance cliffs, savannas, streams, waterfalls, and forests to explore. Many trails go through these areas with an opportunity to see several different types of vegetation from tropical forests to evergreen and pine trees at higher elevations. The area is the head watershed of the Lam Nam Phong River which is one of the most important rivers in northeastern Thailand. All of these things makes Phu Kradueng a popular mountain to hike for Thai and foreign trekkers.
Phu Kradueng
Summit Plateau
The mountain is located in Phu Kradueng National Park. This was supposed to be Thailand's first National Park but lack of funding and other circumstances prevented this from happening. It wasn't until 1949 that government funds were finally available, then it took another ten years before Phu Kradueng was granted National Park status. It became Thailand's second National Park after Khao Yai in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
Phu Krudueng is in the province of Loei, which is one of the most sparely populated provinces. The name Loei is an appropriate title meaning "land of a sea of mountains." It is a diverse and beautiful place that is one of the country's most geographically scenic areas and is still untouched by mass tourism. Loei is located near the eastern and western Phetchabun mountain ranges and is bordered at the top by Laos and the Mekong River. It consist mainly of mountains both large and small. The area if susceptible to China's winter winds and as a result has some of the most dramatic temperature changes. Summer can reach over 100 degrees while winter nights can drop down to freezing. Loei has the distinction of being the coldest place in Thailand.
The mountain is usually covered in mist from October to February. I found this to be true and was unable to take any pictures of the mountain from far away. It was totally engulfed in clouds and fog when we drove there early in the morning. From February onward color begins to saturate the park. Summer usually bring out the mountain's famous red and white rhondodendrons and many other flowers. In winter the park has green mosses and ferns set against maple tree leaves. I've never seen so many ferns while hiking before. Phu Kradueng is also well known for it's wildlife including asian elephants, black bears, jackals, barking deer, and gibbons. Many species of birds can also be found here.