Lion Hill: 2 Km northwest of Chiang Rai, is one of several limestone hills which pop up alongside the Mae Kok river. 

Lion Hill Nature Trail:  In its proposal stage, it winds 2.5 Km around the hill. Currently there is a cement trail which stretches for a quarter of that distance. The completed trail is along the southwest part of the hill. The proposal is to continue the trail to completely encircle the hill.  Later, additional trails can be added, as it's lovely terrain throughout. 

directions to Lion Hill:  go NW out of Chiang Rai, cross the Mae Kok river on the Mae Fa Luang Bridge.
Go 1.5 Km up from the bridge, and take a left at Soi 5. Lion Hill is 2.5 Km on left.  It is half a Km past Boomerang Park.   

The map above has south at the top and north at bottom. It shows several things.  The existing trail is shown in yellow color with solid blue outline.  The proposed trails are yellow with dotted blue outline. Known caves are shown in pink.  Known climbing areas are shown in orange. I say 'known..." because there are probably caves and climbing crags in the hill which are, as yet, still unknown. The upper part of the map shows the path as it snakes between the south side of the hill and the broad Mae Kok River (which flows from west to east and joins with the Mekong River).  The paths on the lower (north) side meander among large trees, grassy slopes, rock faces and stand-alone rocks. If the trail gets built, it will provide a truly lovely nature experience for anyone who walks, jogs or bicycles it.

We at Boomerang Park (very nearby), are setting up a fund to raise money to pay for an initial path to circumvent the hill.  It's estimated to cost Bt.200 per meter for a 1.5 meter wide path, 3 cm thick. At that rate, for a 2 Km (once around) path to add to the half Km already built would cost roughly Bt.400,000. Granted, such a low cost = low quality, but the idea is to get something initially built, and then hopefully upgrade it as public interest blooms.

Compare that with Thai engineers estimate for building a walkway in Bangkok for between 's 930,000 and 1.65 million baht per meter.  For those who think in dollars, that's $31,000 and $55,000 per meter.

Photo below is view of southeast area of Lion Hill.  Note the lovely limestone rock faces - excellent for climbing.