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When travelers think of Cambodia, they often imagine the iconic spires of Angkor Wat or the bustling energy of Phnom Penh. But beyond the temples and tuk-tuks lies an untamed natural world waiting to be explored on foot. The country is a dream for hikers and eco-travelers.
Wonderful things are hiding in Cambodia's lush forests
Trekking in Cambodia offers more than just exercise. It’s a chance to peel back the layers of a country where animist beliefs mingle with Buddhist chants, and where remote communities are inviting travellers not just to pass through, but to stay, walk, eat, and share stories by the fire. In this article, Asia King Travel gladly shows you the top trekking trails in Cambodia. Maybe some will make you lace the shoes.
Cambodia has two seasons: wet and dry, and both come with their perks. But if you’re planning to hit the trails, timing matters more than you might think.
The dry season running roughly from November to April is the most popular time to trek. January is peak trekking time for the Cambodia national park trekking when hikers visit Phnom Kulen, Virachey, and Kep. The weather is dry, breezy, and not too scorching. But it’s also when trails are busiest and homestays book up fast. If you’re after that sweet spot between good weather and fewer fellow hikers, try late November or early March.
The ideal time for trekking is when the weather dry
That said, don’t write off the green season just yet. From May to October, the rains roll in at high frequency. Mornings are often clear, and the downpours (usually in the afternoon) transform the landscape. Waterfalls roar back to life, rice paddies glow emerald, and the forests hum with life. You’ll need to be okay with getting a bit muddy and pack decent boots, but if you can brave the elements, you’ll have the trails mostly to yourself.
For serious wilderness treks, like the ones in the Cardamom or Virachey mountains, December to February is ideal. The temperatures are more forgiving, river crossings are lower, and you will have the best chance of spotting wildlife along the way. In short, the first half of the year is the best time to explore Cambodia’s scenery.
Suggested for you: Cardamom Mountains Trekking Tour 4 Days: Jungle Adventure
The Cardamom Mountains stretch across 20,000 square kilometres of raw, untouched wilderness in the southwest of Cambodia. The trails are forged through dripping rainforest, and the soundtrack is birdsong, rustling leaves, and the occasional call of a gibbon swinging high above the canopy. This is Cambodia at its wildest. So expect a challenging trek.
The Cardamoms are one of Southeast Asia’s last true wildernesses, a sanctuary for rare and endangered species. Here, clouded leopards pad through the undergrowth, sun bears forage among fig trees, and if you're lucky, you might catch sight of an elephant moving through the forest.
Cardamom Mountains are one of Cambodia’s most significant natural treasures
The best Cardamom Mountains treks are multi-day. Some routes last 3–6 days, taking you deep into the mountains, over misty ridgelines and down into humid river valleys. You can stay overnight in local villages or tented camps at Botum Sakor National Park.
Just an hour’s drive northeast of the temple-studded plains of Angkor, Phnom Kulen rises like a quiet guardian of Cambodia’s past. In this tranquil land, something great happened. In 802, King Jayavarman II stood atop the mountain and declared independence from Java, marking the beginning of the Khmer Empire.
The moment you step onto the trail, you can feel that sense of sacredness in the air. Tall trees sway above mossy paths, and centuries-old pagodas peek through the jungle like secrets waiting to be found. You’ll hike past the famous River of a Thousand Lingas then climb to the massive reclining Buddha at Preah Ang Thom.
Dip yourself in Kulen Waterfalls to wash away all fatigue after a long trek
Though, the jewel of this journey is Kulen Waterfall. This place is the locals’ favourite, many families flock here at the weekend for a picnic. Don’t be surprised if you’re invited to share sticky rice with someone’s auntie. And don’t forget to bring swimwear to dive in the plunge pool below the falls.
In Cambodia’s far-flung northeast, nudging up against the borders of Laos and Vietnam, Virachey National Park covers over 3,000 square kilometres of misty rainforest. It’s wild. It’s raw. And it’s not for beginners. These trails here can turn slippery and wild in an instant.
The most legendary trek in the area is the journey to Phnom Veal Thom, a remote montane grassland hidden deep within the park. It takes days to reach, usually via Yak Yeuk Grasslands, passing through lowland forests and fast-flowing rivers along the way.
A local guide is the best wingman to conquer Virachey trekking trail
Hiring a local guide is non-negotiable, not just for your safety, because it’s also the most ethical way to travel here. Guided treks provide crucial income for communities working hard to protect their forests from illegal logging and development. The Virachey National Park Ecotourism Office in Banlung is the best place to organize your trip with options ranging from 2 to 7 days.
If the one above sounds too hard, here is an easier one. Kirirom National Park is the kind of escape that makes you exhale the moment you arrive when the heat of Phnom Penh start to feel a little too much. Towering pine forests stretch across rolling hills will surprise you at first, a “little Switzerland” in a tropical country.
People love Kirirom for its accessibility and laid-back vibe. Shaded trails wind through pine groves, past wildflower meadows, waterfalls, and the occasional curious macaque. A modest climb in Phnom Dat Chivit grants you a high reward: the panoramic views across the forest canopy. It’s the kind of spot that makes you want to sit with a thermos of tea and just watch the clouds roll by.
The cool air makes your trek a bit more comfortable
To enjoy the park at its most serene, plan your visit during the week. Weekends can get busy with Phnom Penh locals looking to escape the city. For overnight stays, simple bungalows and eco-lodges are available, and some locals offer camping experiences that support community tourism.
Similar to Kiriom National Park, trekking in Mondulkiri will give you the chance to breathe in the fresh, cool air. Let’s call this place “bigger Switzerland”. Mondulkiri Highlands is a treat for the senses, you’ll walk through lush jungle corridors echoing with bird calls. The Cambodia hiking trails vary in length and difficulty, but most are accessible to anyone with decent fitness and a pair of sturdy boots.
Start your adventure in Sen Monorom, the laid-back capital where dirt roads wind through quiet villages and the occasional motorbike kicks up red dust. From here, trails fan out into pine forests. You’ll walk through lush forest corridors echoing with bird calls, stop to sip water by Bousra Waterfalls, and climb ridgelines with sweeping views that seem to stretch right into Vietnam.
Interacting with elephants is a high bonus experience for this trekking trail
This is home to some of Cambodia’s last remaining forest elephants. Thankfully, it's also where the tide is turning toward ethical wildlife tourism. Instead of exploitative elephant rides or circus tricks, you’ll find conservation projects that let you walk beside elephants in their natural habitat, observing them as they graze, bathe, and just be elephants. Yet if anyone offers an elephant ride, please steer clear.
One footstep, one forest trail, one heartfelt connection at a time, this is what Cambodia hiking looks like. Every trekking trail in Cambodia tells a different story, but they share the same spirit: if you respect nature, it will reward you with its very best. Are you ready to trek? Contact Asia King Travel now to dive into the great nature of Southeast Asia!
Suggested for you: Mondulkiri Trekking Tour 4 Days: Nature Explore
