Hiking & Trekking
Sri Lanka has variety of treks, ranging from even-kiddies-can-mangae to the
hardcore professional.
Climbing Adam's Peak/ Sri Pada
Climbing of Adam's Peak or Sri Pada is a popular climbing route in Sri
Lanka. It is also important from religious point of view since it has been a
place of worship for last 1000 years. A huge footprint lies at the summit.
Budduists regard it as the mark of Lord Buddha, Hindus think of it as being
of Lord Shiva while claim it to belong to Adam. The peak provides
interesting view at dawn. From town of Dalhousie, one normally takes around
four hours to reach the peak.
You can take buses from Colombo, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy for Dalhousie
during pilgrimage season. In other time of the year, you would have to first
reach Hatton or Maskeliya and then board a bus. However you can also take
taxis from these towns.
Nuwara Eliya
The British had developed Nuwara Eliya, located at the altitude of 2000
metres, as hill resort to seek refuge from humid hot climate of the rest of
island. Nuwara Eliya is the land of famous Ceylon tea, the heaving mountains
of Nuwara Eliya are carpeted by green tea plantations, punctuated with
gushing streams and waterfalls. Town of Nuwara Eliya is overlooked by
Pidurutalagala, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. Most famous place within
Nuwara Eliya is Horton Plains, the highest plateau in the island. It has
been declared a national park. Nuwara Eliya still carries the influences of
Empire: a fusion of Tudor and Georgian architecture, gabled roofs,
immaculate lawns with rose bushes and moss-covered gravestones.
One not-to-miss place here is the World's End. The Horton Plains
shockingly ends here and drops off to nearly 700 metres, a hari-rising
sight. Trekkers love to come to this place. You can hike on Kirigalpotta and
Thotupola peaks, both standing high over Horton plains.
Piduruthalagala
Mountain of Piduruthalagala or Mount Pedro, (2525 metres) is the highest
peak in Sri Lanka. Located in Nuwara Eliya, it is covered by plantations of
green tea. Rhododendron bushes bedeck and it is inhabitated by wildlife.
Waterfalls scattered over the peak make hiking on Mount Pedro more
fulfiling. However, for security reasons, it has been prohibited to climb to
the top.
Hunnasgiriya
Hunnasgiriya, a 1184metres peak lies in Kandy district. Lower slopes are
covered with tea plantations while on higher altitude, one can see sub-
montane forest bursting with bamboo and wild strawberries. Top of the hill
is occupied by moss and ferns vegetation. The hill has been inhabitated by
several endemic bird species as well as deer, monkeys and giant squirrels.
Namankula
Namankula mountan range of nine peaks, more than 1000 metres high, rises
above the tea plantations in Uva province. Once you reach to the top you can
see as far as Welimada Basin, the town of Kataragama, Uda Walawe National
Park and even the southern coast. While trekking on Namankula range you can
plenty of flora and fauna. For the people who are fond of eco-adventure
hiking on Namankula range can be highly rewarding.
Kottapitiya
One can start trekking tour of Kottapitiya from Polonnaruwa. You can walk
8km along the ancient tank called 'Parakrama Samudraya'. You would cover a
section walking along the Amban Ganga river and rest through paddy fields
and small villages. Hiking to Kottapitiya would be a pleasant experience for
you.
While deciding on any trekking or hiking tour, you should are advised to
inform yourselves on following points.
- Length of trek
- Walking Hours in a day
- Approximate altitude
- Trail conditions.
- Backpacking.levels
- Average
- Likely weather conditions.
- Level of humidit
- General level of comfort
- Remoteness of essential services
Note:-Please note the weather condition in Sri
Lanka: Lowlands- tropical, average 27C Central Hills- cooler, with
temperatures dropping to 14C. the south-east monsoon brings the rain to the
western, south western and central regions from May to July, while the
north-western monsoon occurs in the north and east in December and January.
Sri Lanka boasts a good climate for holiday-makers throughout the year.
