Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai: Climb Buatong Barefoot

My partner and I are in nomad renowned Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our purpose for visiting involved two months of work and travel. When researching noteworthy activities, the Sticky Waterfall popped up. So we checked it out.

It's about a 60-90 minute drive from Chiang Mai. Many tourists arrive on scooters or in group transfers. We booked a group tour via Klook. Yet, since no one else joined, we had a private transfer.

Dee Dy, the tour leader, was friendly and proactive. She welcomed us with fresh coconut snacks from the market. A professional driver accompanied her and drove with caution. Which I appreciated a lot after our recent hectic experience in India.

Coconut snacks wrapped in banana leaves we got from Dee Dy

We had the option to select the afternoon slot, but I'm glad we decided on the morning one. Dee Dy and the driver picked us up at 8:00 AM and we reached the waterfall around 9:15 AM. It gave us plenty of time to enjoy this natural wonder.

The driver guided us to the very bottom of the waterfall. I ambled slightly because concrete pavement, wooden steps, and pebbles agitated my feet. That's when I noticed many visitors wore water shoes or sandals.

A moment later, we climbed the first boulder. At first, it was intimidating. As normally:

pouring waterfall pushes you back,
spring water is ice cold,
rocks are slippery and sharp.

The Buatong waterfall is different. After a few steps, we realized the stream is very gentle. So we never lost our balance. The temperature was mild and refreshing. Therefore, we never shivered. Finally, walking barefoot on the smooth and porous limestone was actually enjoyable.

It felt unusual. I no longer missed having water shoes. Because my feet and hands had a firm grip. Sticky Waterfall is a catchy name. Yet, the sensation is not sticky. Free of algae or moss, these rocks are neither gluey nor oily.

Rather, it's a rough and textured surface that gives a grippy feeling. Moreover, the water is crystal clear, so you can see the white rocks shaped like dunes. No sharp edges or sudden drops.

As if nature created a playground for kids and adventurous adults. Much like human-made aquaparks in Europe that I visited a lot. With the difference that you climb against the current, not slide down.

We climbed up further enjoying the experience. Fresh water sprayed at us when we pulled up on ropes. These parts made me feel like Spider-Man using his web. In other sections, I crawled on all fours, sticking to the wall. I didn’t need to fight villains. The unreal sensation of defying gravity was enough.

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Then wide, bright pools offered a place to rest. A gentle overcast sky and tall green canopies protected us from the scorching sun. There was even a spider as big as my hand chilling above our heads. Nature at its best.

Starting early in the morning gave us the advantage of avoiding the crowds. Struck by the beauty of the waterfall, we took plenty of pictures. Finding secluded spots and taking the time to enjoy this natural wonder.

By 10:00 AM, a lot of visitors had arrived. People were queuing on ropes to climb. And taking pictures required patience to wait for your turn. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic experience.

Practical tips for visiting Sticky Waterfall

Arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
You'll find slippery rocks in certain locations. They are darker, so watch your step.
Water shoes can be helpful, but they are unnecessary. I liked the barefoot experience.
Swimming is not possible in these pools. Therefore, you do not need swimsuits. Sport attire is fine. Just ensure you bring a towel and dry clothes to change into.
The maintenance staff keeps the public bathrooms well. They also have showers but no hangers. So you’ll need to improvise to keep your stuff dry.
This small restaurant, ร้านลาบพ่อหลวงอินทร์, sits a short distance from the waterfall. Our guide brought us here for lunch and recommended pad see ew which was delicious. They offer a vegetarian alternative, too!