Everyone drives to Big Buddha but there's proper hiking trail from Chalong Temple through jungle to summit. Takes 90 minutes but you earn those views.

Trail well-marked but bring water, start early - brutally hot after 10am. Path steep in sections, nothing technical. Views from top destroy crowded Big Buddha platform.

Bonus: loop down to Big Buddha, catch transport back to Chalong for 25-40 thb depending on route instead of hiking down.