Big Buddha by Scooter: the Complete Route Guide

The 45-metre white Buddha on Nakkerd Hill is Phuket's best half-day ride: a real mountain road, a free entrance, and the only place you can see both coasts of the island at once.

The climb is also Phuket's most misjudged road. Here is how to do it properly.

The route

From Chalong: turn off Chao Fah West Road at the Big Buddha sign — 6 km of climbing. From Kata or Karon: ride to Chalong Circle first (15 min) and join the same road. From Patong: over the Kathu route to Chalong, about 40 minutes total. The final 2 km are the serious part: 15–20% ramps, blind hairpins, and coaches taking their half of the road out of the middle.

Can your scooter make it?

Solo on any 125cc: yes, in low gear patience. Two-up on a 110–125cc: this is the road where underpowered bikes overheat and brake-fade going down — take a PCX 160 or stronger two-up. Descending matters more than climbing: engine braking, low speed, no front-brake grabs on the hairpins. Brakes cooked on this exact hill are a weekly sight.

At the top

Parking is free and chaotic — take the upper scooter lot on the left before the bus area. Entrance free; shoulders and knees covered (free sarongs at the gate). Best light: before 10:00 for glass-clear views, 17:00+ for golden light over Kata. The café terrace below the plateau does the island's most scenic ฿40 coffee. Combine with Wat Chalong on the way down for the full temple half-day.