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An Outdoor Adventure Guide to Siem Reap
Planning a trip to Siem Reap? Chances are you’ve seen the same few attractions repeated over and over in travel guides: Angkor Wat, APOPO, Pub Street, etc. But despite what these popular guides might have you believe, it’s surprisingly easy to get off the beaten path in Siem Reap. And you don’t need a big budget or an organised tour to do it!
While Siem Reap is obviously a haven for history buffs, nature lovers might be surprised to learn that there’s also a fair amount of outdoor adventure in the city. So, if you’re looking to experience a more unique and rugged side of Siem Reap, you’ve come to the right place! From hiking to biking, ziplining to wakeboarding — these seven adventures will take you off the beaten path in one of Southeast Asia’s biggest tourist destinations.
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The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Guide to Siem Reap
Angkor Temple Trails 🥾
You know Angkor Wat, but did you know there are dozens of miles of trails weaving through the surrounding jungle, connecting you to temples that most tourists never even hear of?
If you like the idea of discovering secret, tucked away temples, mountain biking through thick jungles, or hiking a trail you have all to yourself, then chances are you’ll love exploring the Angkor temple trails.
Lots of tour companies will take you on a cycling tour through the temple trails, but it’s just as easily completed by yourself. While you don’t need a temple pass to use the trails, you obviously won’t be able to go inside any of the temples if you don’t.
You could easily spend several days traipsing the trails’ forgotten ruins and secret paths. But even without that much time, any part of the trail is still worth meandering through. Whether you’re biking or hiking, just head towards Angkor Wat, pick a trail and start exploring!
Angkor Zipline 🪽
Definitely the most expensive attraction on this list, Angkor Zipline also offers some of the most exciting eco-adventures in town. Zipping through jungles and soaring above canopies is truly an experience like no other!
But ziplining isn’t all they offer. If you want to hand over more of your adventure planning to the pros, Angkor Zipline also offers packages that include quad-biking through Siem Reap’s backcountry and even cycling through the temple trails mentioned above. Because the zipline is located within the Angkor Archaeological Park, you will need to have a valid temple pass in addition to purchasing your chosen zipline package.
Kbal Spean 🏞️
Located about an hour outside of Siem Reap town, Kbal Spean is one of the few places in Siem Reap where you can enjoy an immersive nature hike away from the city bustle.
The hike is about 45 minutes up the mountain, where you eventually reach a clearing with a river. This sacred site features a stone bedrock with intricate Hindu carvings beneath the rushing river. And if you continue on, the second part of the hike will bring you to a waterfall.
You can easily make a whole day out of a trip to Kbal Spean by combining the hike with a tour of the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity. Or you can tack on a stop to Banteay Srei, one of Siem Reap’s must-visit temples. Because Kbal Spean also requires a temple pass, it’s easy to combine these two sites into a single day trip.
Kulen Mountain ⛰️
Probably the most well-known nature site in Siem Reap, Kulen Mountain has some of the most breathtaking views in the area. About a 90-minute drive from Siem Reap town, a hike up Kulen Mountain rewards you with stunning viewpoints and an impressive waterfall to cool off in.
Keep in mind that you can’t get up Kulen by scooter or tuk-tuk. This means you have to either make the two-hour hike up on your own, or you will need to book a tour to take you up. If you like hiking and can spare the extra time, I would highly recommend the hike to fully immerse yourself in the scenery and experience.
A ticket for Kulen is $20 USD, which you can buy on site. But if you’re booking a tour, definitely do it in advance, as Kulen is one of Siem Reap’s most popular attractions.
Phnom Kraom 🛕
A short hike up Phnom Kraom brings you to a temple overlooking Siem Reap’s beautiful countryside. With little tourist traffic, it usually makes for a quiet spot to relax and soak in the views.
If you’re in good shape, you can bike from Siem Reap town to Phnom Kraom in about an hour. Otherwise, you can also rent a motorbike or hire a driver to take you. It’s one of the prettiest drives you’ll take in Siem Reap, as it takes you through about 10 kilometres of lush rice fields, grazing water buffalo, and tiny villages.
You do need a temple pass to access the temple at the top of Phnom Kraom, but the mountain and surrounding area are still worth exploring even without a pass.
Wake Park 🌊
One of the more unique attractions on this list, Siem Reap’s Wake Park is the ideal hangout for a water-logged day of fun.
While wakeboarding is the primary activity offered, there’s also an inflatable water park and a beach area where you can lounge around sipping a margarita. And if you’ve never been wakeboarding before, no problem. They have instructors to teach and guide you through the process and offer opportunities for both beginner and advanced wakeboarders.
You can definitely get the full Wake Park experience in a couple hours, but if you just can’t get enough, you can buy a full-day pass for $32 USD — still cheaper than a day pass to the temples!
West Baray 🛶
West Baray is another place you can bike to if you’re in good shape. About a 30–40-minute ride from Siem Reap town, this gorgeous lake is the perfect place to spend a relaxing, sun-soaked day — usually without another tourist in sight!
West Baray has all the usual lake activities, including swimming, kayaking, boating, hiking, and biking. If you decide to explore the trail winding around the lake, you’ll pass through some small local markets, and even stumble across some forgotten temple ruins. All you need for a perfect Siem Reap afternoon!
Where to go next: 🚌
If you want to experience more of Cambodia’s outdoor adventures, consider heading off to Koh Kong Province, where you can trek the Cardamom Mountains or go truly off-grid with Chi Phat’s ecotourism community.
Bethany Hansel
Deciding to take a leap of faith after university, Bethany decided to uproot her life in the United States and move to Cambodia. She’s since fallen in love with Southeast Asia and is dedicating herself to exploring all the region has to offer. In her free time, you can find her trekking through jungles, cycling through rice fields, and traveling to random hidden gems she finds on Google Maps.
