Ohiya to Kalupahana via Devil's Staircase

This is an exciting hike route which takes an entire day but I would suggest readers to take more than one day for this route and try camping out for one night. This will give more time to enjoy the hike and to admire the breathtaking beauty all the way down.

The entire track is about 20km. There is a road (Actually 4WD or Jeep track) from Ohiya railway station to Kalupahana on the A4 road. This is the same road you travel from Ohiya to Horton Plains but there is a 'Y' junction after about 5km. The upper road goes to the plains and the lower road directs you to Kalupahana via Udaveriya Estate.

At Udaveriya you will come to the infamous 'Devils Staircase' (Yakage Padipela in Sinhala) which has a very steep descend. You can cut across tea estates and explore short cuts but you have to be careful not to lose your path. In the process you will come across number of small streams of water which are actually small tributaries of Belihuloya. You can camp either at Udaveriya or further down closer to Kalupahana. I once camped on top of Bambarakanda falls and that was an experience of its own!

The view throughout the hike is simply amazing and I particularly prefer the wonderful sight of Bambarakanda falls and the panaromic view of the hills with entire Southern Province in the background!

Lush Green Hills of Bandarawela

Sri lanka is famous for tea and the hill country is full of tea estates since colonial era. Lush green tea estates covering a mountain range is a glamorous sight.

Most of the hiking routes of the hill country go through these tea estates. The hike from Horton to Belihul Oya over the world's end and one from Ohiya to Bambarakanda falls are some examples. Most hikers will find shorter paths to their destination by cutting across a huge tea estate.

Flowers along the Kandy Road

Colombo - Kandy road is one of the busiest roads in Sri Lanka.

During certain times of the year when you pass Kalagedihena area you will see a beautiful sight along this road amidst heavy traffic.

These trees are known as 'Tabebuia' and usually they bloom in February - March period.

The Happy Wanderer

This is a popular scout song. It is originally from Germany (Der fröhliche Wanderer) and later adopted to English in 1950's.

I love to go a-wandering,
Along the mountain track,
And as I go, I love to sing,
My knapsack on my back.

Chorus:
Val-deri,Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Val-deri,Val-dera.
My knapsack on my back.

I love to wander by the stream
That dances in the sun,
So joyously it calls to me,
"Come! Join my happy song!"

I wave my hat to all I meet,
And they wave back to me,
And blackbirds call so loud and sweet
From ev'ry green wood tree.

High overhead, the skylarks wing,
They never rest at home
But just like me, they love to sing,
As o'er the world we roam.

Oh, may I go a-wandering
Until the day I die!
Oh, may I always laugh and sing,
Beneath God's clear blue sky!

Arankele Monastery

There are hundreds of monasteries all over the country where buddhist monks live closer to the nature practising meditation.

Anyone can visit such places, but you have to observe extreme silence.

One such attractive place is situated about 20km from Kurunegala town in Arankele close to Hiripitiya. There are long and straight walking paths and terraces through the forest. This place has lots of ruins of ancient buddhist temples as well.

Can there be a better place for meditation than closer to the nature?

Thotupola the Third

Thotupola Kanda (mountain) in Horton Plains is the third highest point in Sri Lanka (2360 metres above sea level). The climb to the top is quite easy and a good starting point for a young hiker.

When you travel from Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains via Pattipola - Ohiya Road, The trail entry point lies about 400m from Pattipola main entrance of the Horton Plains Reserve. The entire hike to the top will take about 1 hour and the total climb will be less than 200m. The first bit will be through tall shrubs and then you will come to an open terrain with shorter shrubs. You need to come to a mini peak before the Thotapola main peak. The top of the mountain is full of thick vegetation so it is bit diffcult to see a panaromic view but still the view is awesome. You can clearly see a good half of the plain and Farr Inn (The place where world's end trail starts) from the peak.

Since this peak is within the nature reserve you need to get prior approval from the Department of Wild Life.

Sri Lankan Map

Hi Everyone,

I'm attaching a sketch map of areas I have so far described.

Thanks

K

PS : Click here for more maps.

Cool Streams of Horton Plains

Horton Plains is the highest plain in Srilanka situated above 2000 metres from the sea-level. It is at the lower edge of Central Province and plenty of cool springs of water sprung from this area and flow towards lower lands below. Belihuloya, which is a tributary of River Walawe, is one such stream made of the water from the plain. Horton plain is a principal catchment for the main rivers of Sri Lanka.

Any hiker will find hundreds of such streams all over the plain and there are many beautiful waterfalls created from them. A lot of hiking routes like the one to kirigalpoththa are signposted according to these streams.

Knuckles Range

This is one of the best places for hiking in Sri Lanka. Depending on your liking you can choose either easier or harder track. This absorbing area is situated in the north edge of central highlands.

One important factor is that this forest, gets rain from both North East and South West Monsoons. So it will be quite wet most of the time and a climber should be ready with appropriate gear to fight heavy rain.

There are many roads to enter this area and the most popular one are Bambarella via Wattegama and Luluwatte via Hunnasgiriya. Also you can reach the north side of Knuckles Range via Pallegama. See my past post for details - Pitawalapathana.

Any avid nature lover or a hiker will find the seventh heaven here! This mountain range is home to number of indegenous flora and fauna. There are plenty of hiking routes through this forest and some of the notable routes are Knuckles Mountain, Kalupahana Mountain, Meemure Village and nitre caves. Also if you like further adventure you can do a longer trip across the range from Looluwatte to Pallegama! For that you need some past hiking experience or guidance from an experienced hiker. I will bring each and every track in details with my future posts.

Kandalama Wewa

'Wewa' in sinhala is a tank or a huge mass of water.

North Central Province of Sri Lanka is famous for rich water resources. Most of these tanks are built by ancient kings.

The land is mostly flat but you find some interesting smaller mountains all over the area. Especially a lake surrounded by mountains will be great area for a hike.

Kandalama Tank is one such place, but situated in the Central Province (Mathale District).

This area is hotter than the central hill country so the best time for a hike would be early in the morning or in the evenings.

Kandalama is about 8 km from Dambulla and famous for many hotels in the surrounding.

Sunset on the Beaches of Negombo

Sri Lanka is famous for its golden beaches. A stroll along the beach in the evening is always refreshing.

Allthough beaches all around the island are brilliant, the best beaches for a hiker would be the ones in the eastern coastal belt. The more famous western and southern beaches are good for an evening walk or for just rlaxation.

The setting sun paints one of the most colourful sights only seconding to Northern lights - Aurora.

Sweet Surrender

This is a tribute to one of my favourite singers.

Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Travelled by many remembered by few
Lookin’ for something that I can believe in
Lookin’ for something that I’d like to do with my life

There’s nothin’ behind me and nothin’ that ties me
To somethin’ that might have been true yesterday
Tomorrow is open and right now it seems to be more
Than enough to just be there today

And I don’t know what the future is holdin’ in store
I don’t know where I’m goin’, I’m not sure where I’ve been
There’s a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin’, I don’t need to see the end

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

-Words and music by John Denver

Minneriya Safari

Although you are not allowed to walk in this nature reserve, this is one of the most picturesque nature parks in Sri Lanka. Hence I thought, I must write something about this beautiful place.

The exact name is Minneriya Girithale Nature reserve as it spread around and between two tanks known by the same names. you can reach there on Habarana - Polonnaruwa Road.There are lots of animals in this park and you are sure to see lots of wild elephants in vast grassy lands adjoining the tanks. The view is spectacular!

Saptha Kanya

Those who like a bit more strenuous hike, this is the place. Saptha Kanya: It was famous for the tragic aeroplane accident happened 3 decades ago.

Saptha Kanya (Seven Virgins) is given this name as there are seven mountain tops. 5 mountains are quite visible and the other two lies further away. After passing Ginigathhena on A7 road, travel further 5km towards Hatton and take a turn to the right. This road is leading upto Nortonbridge. Saptha Kanya can be reached from this road. Alternatively you may turn from Kalugala on A7 and again turn to the right towards Maussakelle/Maskeliya before Norton Bridge.

Climbing to the top will be quite difficult but even halfway journey would be rewarding.

Pitawalapathana

This is an exciting area for leisure hiking in Sri Lanka. You can reach Pitawala area via Raththota - Pallegama road (Around 25km from Matale).

This is a part of Knuckles Mountain Range. If you want a more challenging hike, you have to go further up and go into Knuckles Range (Dumbara Kadu in Sinhala). In the same pathana area, you can visit one of the mini 'Worlds End' too. (A High cliff where you can see vast area below).

I really like the stretch of road from Laggala to Illukkumbura. It is trully magnificent.

The Road to Diyaluma

The road from Beragala to Wellawaya via Koslanda is a fascinating road for any nature lover. To reach Diyaluma Falls you need to travel 22 km from Beragala junction.

There are some exciting hiking routes from Diayaluma Falls. A hiker can start the journey from the foot of the fall or end his journey there.

Bambarakanda

This is one of the most fascinating area for hiking. In addition to the famous fall, there are number of tracks leading to exciting places in Horton Plains from here. also there are number of mountains, water falls and streams surrounding this area which would make a hikers a day an unforgettable one.

The simplest way to reach this place is via Colombo - Batticaloa (A4) main road. You have to go pass Belihuloya and reach a small junction called Kalupahana. From Kalupahana you have to take the left turn. This narrow but winding road will take you through one of the most beautiful areas in Sri Lanka with breathtaking beauty. The waterfall, Bambarakanda, the tallest in Sri Lanka lies around 5 km from Kalupahana junction. The same road will take you upto Horton Place and Ohiya but it will need many similar posts to describe the entire journey from Kalupahana to Ohiya, which I will do on a later date.

There is a small but nice lodge close to the foot of the waterfall. From the lodge you can see the waterfall quite clearly and it is one of the best sights in Sri Lanka.

There are number of locations that a hiker could travel from this point. I will name a few of those and try to do an elaborate description later.

• Wangedigala - Half a day hike for an experienced hiker. The whole of Lower Ohiya valley is visible from the top


• Balathoduwa and Gonmolli Kanda - Further away from Wangedigala.


• Lanka Ella - The pool below the waterfall has a shape like Sri Lanka. 2 Hours walk from Bambarakanda Falls


• Seven Basins - 1 hour (or less) walk from the Bambarakanda Falls. Excellent place to experience cool spring water!

Hiking in Sri Lanka

Hi Everyone,

I'm addicted to hiking and camping. Although it is difficult to find time for hiking , as I used to do a few years back , I still make it a point to visit somewhere close to nature and refreshing whenever possible. This blog will update on some exciting places for hiking in Sri Lanka which I have visited and also try to share information on some of the best routes in Sri Lanka.

Thanks

K