Did you know that beyond all of its sights and experiential adventures, Sri Lanka is also the perfect destination for both beginners and advanced trekkers and hikers?

Home to 400+ waterfalls and equally magical spaces, deep inside Sri Lanka’s central highlands, there are plentiful, untouched, lush tropical jungles; whereas the island’s lowlands are dotted with rising rock structures, some of which were ancient palaces and constructions from centuries before.

Whether you’re considering Sri Lanka for your next holiday of adventure and exploration, or if your heart is set on an action-packed getaway to Paradise Island, here is your ultimate guide to hiking and trekking Sri Lanka’s diverse terrains.

Ella

Ella is a beautiful village-town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, best known for its scenic, winding train ride that goes over the Nine Arches Bridge giving you a glimpse of tea estates, farmland, dense forest, hilltop villages, waterfalls, Ella Gap, Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak.

Now somewhat modernised to offer restaurants, cafes and bars that keep the laid-back spirit of this sleepy town alive, Ella is a hiker’s paradise. Whether you choose to hike to Ella Rock or Little Adam’s Peak, or even choose to find your own path to many of Ella’s waterfalls and mountain-tops, you’re bound for an unforgettable trekking experience.

Recommended for Beginners: The trek up to Little Adam’s Peak, about 1141m above sea level takes approximately an hour (one-way) and is ideal for beginners wanting to enjoy the view from the top.

Recommended for Experienced Hikers and Trekkers: Ella Rock is a day hike from Ella town – approximately four [04] hours one way and is ideal for more experienced hikers. In order to avoid the afternoon rains, leave during the early hours of the morning to reach the top of Ella Rock by sunrise, and be prepared for an interesting route that not only takes you through thick jungle and mountainsides but also over train tracks and across Ella’s most abundant natural springs.

Knuckles Mountain range

The Knuckles Mountain Range (located between Kandy and Matale) receives its name due to the shape of the range resembling that of a closed fist (knuckles). This mountain range offers a versatile host of trekking and hiking trails for all levels of enthusiasts, as well as all types of ecosystems, that result in sudden changes in weather conditions and temperature.

Waking up early to start your trek on the path less travelled could also result in you catching a glimpse of wild boars, toque macaque monkeys, purple-faced monkeys, elephants and even leopards.

Recommended for Beginners: Take a day hike to one of the lower peaks along with this range, enjoy a light meal at the top and make your way down the range.

Recommended for Experienced Hikers and Trekkers: 3-day expeditions across the range that lead to Meemure. A little bit more taxing on the body and spirit, but this hike leads you across the majestic mountains that reach up to 2000m, dotted with huge cascading waterfalls, and tiny villages, only to experience the best nights of wild camping in the mountains.

Meemure

Meemure is considered to be one of Sri Lanka’s most isolated villages in Sri Lanka and generally takes a few days to hike to and back. Home to a tiny village with a population of about 400 people, it features paddy terraces, natural bathing pools, and stunning mountains.

Recommended for Experienced Hikers and Trekkers: Starting at Knuckles Range, be prepared for a breath-taking, adrenaline-pumping trek that could last up to two [02] days, but is worth the journey as you reach the jagged mountain (Lakegala) looming over the village of Meemure.

Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park is considered a rich plateau with thick forests, grasslands, lakes and magnificent waterfalls, with plenty of trails for hiking, no matter how adept you are.

Home to World’s Edge, a sudden 1,200 (4,000ft)) cliff drop overlooking the countryside, allows hikers to look as far as the eye can see (and even spot the ocean on a clear day). The trek to this sheer drop is remarkable and takes you in a neat circle past the majestic Baker’s Falls waterfall – a true Utopia for the adventurer.

Remember to start your trek early to avoid the descending clouds that will eventually block your view over the edge of the cliff.

Recommended for Beginners: This is a popular hike with many as it only takes around three [03] hours to complete the circle and is worth the view over World’s End.
Heads up: Plastic and any form of carry-on that could be considered litter isn’t allowed past the entrance to Horton Plains.

Sinharaja Forest

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a naturalist’s dream haven, due to its diverse ecosystems and thick lush forest is one of the best places for hiking and trekking in Sri Lanka. From the above (seriously, get this thing onto Paris Fashion Week), you’ll find all sorts of stuff in the Sinharaja. It is tightly packed though, so seeing the wildlife can be trickier than in more open rainforest areas.

Recommended for Beginners: Be prepared to experience a truly unique hike through the dense jungle – home to leeches – hundreds of species of exotic bird life, Purple-faced Langur monkeys (and more varieties), green pit vipers and even lantern bugs!
Recommended for Experienced Hikers and Trekkers: The trek to the Mulawella peak or the Sinhagala Peak will both be hikes that will demand a lot of you, but the opportunity to do a proper rainforest hike is something you don’t get every day.

Adam’s Peak

The best time to hike Adam’s Peak is from June to October.

The hike up to Adam’s Peak is approximately 2,000m (6,560ft) and is more a pilgrimage than a hike which is done by thousands of Sri Lankans and tourists annually. The mountain top is considered sacred and houses a Buddhist temple at its peak, and many hikers leave during the early hours of the morning (approximately 2 am) to reach the entrance in time for sunrise.

There are four different paths that lead to the top of Adam’s Peak – all varying in difficulty. However, hiking those 5,500 steps to the top – whether a beginner or expert in hiking – is achievable, but taxing on your calves and heels.

Pidurangala

Described as Sri Lanka’s most famous viewpoint. Located in the Sigiriya Region, Pidurangala is a large rock that rewards successful hikers with fabulous views of Sigiriya Fortress (also known as Lion Rock and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and 360-degree views of the valley surrounding it. Whether you’re aiming to get to the top of Pidurangala for sunrise (leave at dawn) or sunset, it takes approximately one [01] hour to reach the top depending on your fitness level. Either way, be prepared for a spectacular soundscape, as you take in the beauty of Sri Lanka all around you.

If you’re looking for a good dose of adventure and adrenaline, exploration and magic, or romance amidst the wilderness – Sri Lanka’s ultimate trails for trekking and hiking await. Embark on a journey full of surprises, beauty and breathtaking sights.

The post Ultimate Top 7 Hiking & Trekking Trails in Sri Lanka appeared first on The Traveller Pass.

It is one of the most visited sights in the whole of Sri Lanka, for very good reason. It is full of abandoned palaces, waterways, gardens and frescoes, and there is no doubting its historical and cultural significance. However there are those discerning travellers who might find the USD 30 per person entrance fee, slightly steep (pun intended).

For those looking for an alternative (or an addition) to Sigiriya we introduce Pidurangala Rock. While lesser known and photographed, Pidurangala Rock, located adjacent to Sigiriya, provides equally epic views of the surrounding area, a historic cave complex of its own, a tenth of the crowds, and the most incredible view overlooking the famous Sigiriya rock.

Both Sigiriya and Pidurangala Rock are volcanic hills rising out of the lowland jungles of Sri Lanka, and are steeped in history and mythology. To summarise thousands of years in a few sentences, when King Kashyapa arrived in Sigiriya in the 5th century, he discovered Sigiriya itself was a monastery complex. Wanting to build a fortress atop Sigiriya for himself, he offered to build them an alternative, similar monastery at the close by Pidurangala Rock.

As the legend goes, King Kashyapa offered a ‘golden monastery’, or ‘Aran gala’, which would later become Pidurangala, which literally means “offered piles of gold”. The monks did just this and a Buddhist monastery was built in the caves and rocks around Pidurangala.

Now that you know of Pidurangala’s existence, it is something of a ‘right of passage’ for backpackers and those looking to get off the beaten path, and we are here to help make the hike an experience you will never forget. Let’s start at the beginning, with the entrance fee. The Pidurangala Rock entrance fee is LKR 500 per person ($3 USD) and is part of a donation to the Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya temple that you pass through to commence the hike. It should be noted that the Pidurangala Rock ticket office opens at 5 am and closes at 6 pm, but you are welcome to stay as long as you like at the summit.

There are some things in life worth getting up for, and in our opinion the hike up to Pidurangala for sunrise is one of them. Whether you want to photograph the magic or just to soak it up, watching the golden sun rise and light up the surrounding jungles, lakes and villages around Sigiriya and Pidurangala, showering the vast landscapes in golden hues, is a memory you will cherish.

The feeling of peace from the top of Pidurangala during sunrise is hard to describe. The silence is only broken by the chirp of birds, and the clatter of village life below, and in the early morning the number of people is a fraction of its usual size. Of course, for those of you who aren’t morning people, sunset is equally magical, but a little busier. In the dry season, the fading light of sunset turns the surrounding area into a golden painting, with Sigiriya as the main subject.

Now we mentioned the ‘dry season’ and that is the best time of year to visit and hike Pidurangala, and this falls between late December and early April. For the best chance of a perfect sunrise or sunset, March is ideal as there’s a limited chance of cloud cover. You should also note that this is the hottest time of the year, so make sure you bring plenty of water!

Water is an essential – and the environment will thank you for bringing your own water bottle, to avoid unnecessary plastic waste. The hike is fairly strenuous and made more so by the Sri Lankan humidity and heat, so being prepared is essential.

The hike isn’t very long, roughly 30-40 minutes but via a pretty tough route which involves ascending over a rocky path. So unfortunately if you have issues with mobility then this might not be the hike for you.

We would suggest wearing proper shoes, either trainers or hiking boots. Another essential to pack is a sarong, or something to cover your shoulder and knees, as the entry to Pidurangala is through a Buddhist temple. A camera is always nice, but in today’s world that is unlikely to be forgotten. It would be useful to bring a headlamp, as hiking up in the dark for sunrise, or down after sunset is made much easier by some light!

On the way down from Pidurangala (or on the way up, if you’re hiking up for sunset), you’ll come across the ancient remains of Pidurangala Temple. While ‘remains’ is a strong word, the most impressive sight is a 12m reclining Buddha which takes pride of place under a rock face. Parts of the original structure remain intact, while the rest has been reconstructed using bricks, including the head, which was allegedly removed by treasure hunters! Interestingly, the reclining Buddha statue actually faces directly to the Lion’s Paw of Sigiriya. Now, if you are going to Pidurangala and / or Sigiriya, it would be amiss of us not to suggest an amazing place to stay. Back of Beyond Pidurangala is located just a few minutes walk from the Pidurangala Hike, and you can stay in a stunning treehouse! Another experience we are sure you will treasure for life.

So to conclude, if you are physically able to, a hike up Pidurangala Rock is a once in a lifetime experience, and a memory you will want to tell all your loved ones about for years to come!

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