Kbal Spean

First of all... I suggest if you're going to attempt this you be in pretty good shape. It's basically 1 mile straight up the side of the mountain climbing over lots of boulders and obstacles. This is definitely not for anyone elderly or with any kind of mobility or balance issues. It's quite a hike back into the jungle to see the waterfall. When I arrived after aboit 40 minutes of hiking there two men swimming butt naked in the water so... You may run into that. Overall very nice hike, very hot though and pretty challenging climb. If you're in shape definitely go for it. Bring lots fo water.

This is one of my favorite places to hike and enjoy both nature and the vibe of the ancient builders. The Shiva linga's in the water baffle me, the amount of work needed to carve out the depictions in the stone of the mountain is huge and there is a great sense of little detail and symmetry. Good place to walk the dog too

The Kbal Spean is a Hindu Temple nestled up on this mountain. You need to have a valid Angkor ticket for access. Carvings of Hindu Gods on the rocks where the river runs , these echoes Hinduism influence in Cambodia. Warning ...IT IS A HIKE TO GET THERE ! you will be walking in jungle weather, it can get really hot and humid. such rewarding waterfalls at the top . our local guide said u can bathe in the waterfall.

Kbal Spean: This is an off the beaten track waterfall and historical site, located 48 km north of Siem Reap – on route # 67. To get there from Siem Reap, the best options are by guided tour or on a a motorbike. Note: To visit this site, you’ll need the Angkor Pass. The main sightseeing attractions are the Hindu Rock Carvings, reportedly 1000 years old, which are located at a small, picturesque waterfall site. To see these attractions, you’ll need to make a short hike (1.5 km) through a beautiful jungle landscape. The Jungle Trail: From the parking area, there’s a dedicated trail, with directional signage, which is easy enough to follow. The hike will normally take around thirty minutes as the first 800 meters is a steady incline. The trail eventually leads to the top of the waterfalls area where several Hindu Rock Carvings can be seen. Note: If you visit during the rainy season, there’ll probably be too much water flowing and you won’t see the rock carvings. From the upper level, follow the riverside trail down to the lower level where you can see the Lingam Carvings on the riverbed. At the very bottom of the riverside trail, down a wooden stairway, is the main waterfall. From the top of the stairway, the riverside trail veers back to the main trail and you can return to the parking area. Safe travels, Mega.

Kbal Spean is a different experience from the other temples in the Angkor Wat area. It’s located 1 hour drive from Seam Reap. Be ready for a 1km walk on the steep jungle path till you reach the water temple, when go down the waterfall to see the other carved rocks in the water and outside.

Getting here from Siem Reap isn't nearly as easy as most of the other Angkor temples, but it's worth it. The rock carvings here are extensive and intricate. If you're into the "reclaimed by nature" kind of archeological sites, you'll love this one. That said, this site isn't for everyone. For starters, compared to the rest of the Angkor sites, this place requires a fair amount of walking to reach. At least 20 minutes uphill on trails that, though certainly not backwoods, still require decent fitness. I went during the dry season so traction wasn't an issue, but I could see how in wet season the hike here could be a bit problematic for those who aren't particularly fit and/or those lacking hiking boots. There are sections of slick rock and loose footing that would be difficult for those in sandals. And aside from the relative difficulty reaching the site from the trailhead, getting here is a bit of a hassle. You can go by tuk tuk from Siem Reap, but the drive here is pretty long. Can't remember the exact timing, but it certainly was at least an hour by tuk tuk. By car you could probably make the trip in less than an hour, but at greater expense. If you decide to come here, I'd recommend seeing Banteay Srei on the way to break up the drive a bit. As long as you have enough time in Siem Reap and aren't opposed to a little light hiking uphill, I think this is a worthwhile place to go. Just be aware that what you see here changes greatly according to the season, so aim for the sweet spot where there is still some flowing water, but not so much that the carvings are covered.

This place is quite located outside the city. Walked to inside the jungle around 45 mins - 1 hr to see the Shiva Lingas carved into the sandstone. Not much water when I was there in June, this is not stunning much.

Lovely and peaceful place with lots of butterflies, fresh air and or course a fascinating assembly of lingas and ancient carvings. Worth the effort to go there from Siem Reap. Food stalls at the entrance / foot of the mountain of the mountains were a bit overprized but the food being served is good. Picking by the riverside at the waterfall is a great alternative and seems very popular. J