admas peak

Best places for hiking in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka hiking tours and Trekking tours in Sri Lanka

Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)

Most wildlife reserves of Sri Lanka have a large stock of animals and are suitable for wildlife exploration tours. Sri Lanka’s scenic hill country is very popular for trekking tours in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka hiking tours. The hill country is rich in mountains and has a large number of hiking places in Sri Lanka. On the other hand, pristine forests and countryside are ideal for SLankan hiking tours. Forested and mountain-rich localities like Kitulgala provide suitable terrain for trekking, hiking, mountain climbing and many other adrenaline-pumping activities. Even though Sri Lanka is popular as a destination for a beach holiday, the other branches of tourism such as adventure tourism, wildlife holidays, and health tourism are getting popular among the travellers who visit Sri Lanka. Hiking in Sri Lanka is also popular among travellers and more and more travellers are looking for it.

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This nature tour includes rainforest trekking, white water rafting, safari, hiking, and trekking. This adventure tour also includes whale watching based in southern Sri Lanka. If you

Sri Lanka hiking tours and Trekking tours in Sri Lanka

“Sri Lanka hiking tours” can be a bit awkward for travellers around the world because Sri Lanka is considered a leisure holiday destination with 1300km of pristine beaches.  However, Sri Lanka also can offer many other interesting activities for visitors with its historical monuments, ancient cities, wildlife reserves, rainforest and thousands of mountains. Local tour operators such as Seerendipity Tours offer Sri Lanka adventure tours, hiking and trekking tours, trekking tours in Sri Lanka and many other nature tours.

In this blog post, we discuss mainly Sri Lanka hiking tours and Trekking tours in Sri Lanka. This hiking tour that we discuss in this article lasts 6 days and offers a great hiking experience based on rainforests, national parks, and Sri Lanka’s hill country. The hiking is based on clean and well-maintained trails that run through the tea plantations, vegetable gardens, rainforests, streams, and waterfalls, Sri Lanka hiking tour can be booked without any seasonal restrictions; however, it is recommended to book it from November to April to experience the best of it.       

Sri Lanka is a destination for hiking and trekking tours

Sri Lanka is a tropical holiday destination known to the world for many millennia, island was earlier known to the world under the name of “CEYLON,” but today it is called Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a multi-faceted holiday destination with cultural attractions, historical monuments, wildlife reserves, primaeval rainforests, and beaches.

Some travellers erroneously think that Sri Lanka is a small country and has very little to offer other than beaches and saltwater activities. But you are wrong because Sri Lanka has a large extent of forest cover, mountains and some rainforests in Sri Lanka dating back to the Gondwanaland era.

Most wildlife reserves have a large stock of animals and are suitable for wildlife exploration tours such as 5 days Sri Lanka wildlife tours, mountains and forests provide suitable grounds for trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, and many other adrenaline-pumping sports. In the article “Hiking in Sri Lanka”, we are talking about some of the best hiking places in Sri Lanka.

Important forests and forested areas for the Sri Lanka hiking tour

Sinharaja rainforest, Adam’s Peak, knuckles mountain range, Nuwara Eliya and Kitulgala are major Sri Lanka trekking ranges, in some cases with more than many dozens of trekking points within them. All the trekking points with a unique experience, with plenty of surprises waiting at each turn and curve.

Boulder-filled treks, patches of forests, tee gardens, continuous steeps, cascading waterfalls, terraced paddy fields, greenery on the meadows, rocky structures, high passes, narrow gorges, and mesmerizing green-capped mountains make these trails unique in many ways. Especially the high-altitude Sri Lanka trekking sites are the host for trekkers and are promised to keep adventure enthusiasts happy and rewarded with gorgeous sunrise or sunset views along with breathtaking scenery of the greenish surroundings that will cooperate with high-rise mountains.

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Exploring the natural beauty on a Sri Lanka hiking tour

Travelers should venture into the interior of the country, outside of big cities and beach resorts on the west coast, to see the beauty of Sri Lanka. You will notice that the countryside of Sri Lanka is more peaceful. Therefore, a large part of most Sri Lanka hiking revolve around the beautiful countryside. The travellers encounter beautiful scenery in the countryside in the backdrop of patches of forests, plantations, rivers and pristine mountains, all are far away from the madding crowd.   

One of the most fascinating things about Sri Lanka is its diversity, despite its small size. The countryside of Sri Lanka shows a stark contrast to the busy and populated cities on the coast. Especially, in the hill country, a large tract of land is covered with tea plantations and many other vegetables,as well as patches of forests. These fertile hill stations have lunar landscapes and unpolluted mountain air; the plantation administrations have carved out fairly spartan accommodation for the plantation workers in the pockets of habitable terrain.     

About Sri Lanka hiking tours

Hiking in Sri Lanka is among the best Sri Lanka things to do for most toruists. Most hiking tours start in Colombo and end there; therefore, travellers who land at the airport in Colombo can start the hike right away. However, this is a private tour, so the starting time is very flexible.

The travellers hiked to a few ancient temples, shrines and forts on this 6-day Sri Lanka tour, some of the places are well renowned and there are a few UNESCO world heritage sites among them. Each temple and shrine have different characteristics with moats, walls, gardens, caves, Buddha statues, ancient paintings and many more.  

The hiking tour starts with the hike at Sigiriya rock fortress in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, which is tucked away about 177 km from Colombo, the journey will take around 4 hours. Sigiriya is an iconic tourist attraction with many hundred visitors every day.

Hiking in Sri Lanka on a 6-day itinerray

Some of the top hiking spots in Sri Lanka, including Horton Plains National Park, are included in this 6-day hiking tour of the country. Over 25 hours of hiking are included in this 6-day hiking tour; you will hike for the most of the days in addition to occasional trekking and sightseeing. There are two hikes in Sigiriya and Dambulla on the first day of the vacation, and each walk lasts roughly five hours. The hikers in Sri Lanka hike in Udawattakele Sanctuary, another rainforest in the central hills, on their second day of the expedition. At Udawattakele, hiking takes roughly three hours. After traveling from Kandy for around two hours by road on the third day of the hiking tour, you will arrive in Horton Plains for a further hike that will run for almost five hours. The fourth day is the hardest hike, or perhaps a better description would be trip. The duration of this fascinating hike at Adams Peak is almost seven hours. On the final day of the trip, you will hike for approximately five hours through the Sinharaja jungle.

The Sri Lanka hiking tour includes hiking destinations.

  • Rock castle of Sigiriya
  • Golden Temple of Dambulla
  • Adams Peak Mountain
  • Udawattakele Sanctuary near Kandy
  • Horton Plains National Park in Nuwara Eliya
  • Rainforest of Sinharaja

The itinerary for the 6-day hiking tour of Sri Lanka

Day1: Colombo>>Sigiriya>>Dambulla (climb to the Dambulla temple and through Sigiriya)
Day 2: Sigiriya>>Kandy
Day 3: Kandy >>Nuwara Eliya
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya Ella>>Adam’s peak (climb to Adam’s peak)
Day 5: Adams Peak to Sinharaja (Sinharaja Rainforest Trek)
Day 6: Sinharaja>>Colombo

Which of the main hikes are part of the hiking trip in Sri Lanka?

  1. Hike in Sigiriya
  2. Hike in Dambulla
  3. Hike Udawattekele
  4. The Tea Country Trail
  5. Hike in Horton Plains
  6. Hike in Sinharaja
  7. The Adams Peak Hike

Serendipity Trail- Sri Lanka’s first-ever 300km long walking path

Sri Lanka tourism development authority with the collaboration of USAID and European unions has been able to make available a new experience to the visitors of Sri Lanka. This should have been implemented many years ago as the demand for active holidays is on the rise around the world. The island with a very attractive green cover and diverse terrain is ideal for trekking, hiking and walking. The first stage of Sri Lanka’s long-distance walking trail, titled “Serendipity trails” was inaugurated in 2022. The first face of the walking trail is 25 km long. The Serendipity trails will be 300km at the completion. The project is based on a collection of inter-connected walking trails on the island going through Sri Lanka’s hill country. The walking trail will be expected to serve the local as well as foreign travellers to discover the varying terrain, history, culture, food and local community by foot. The Travellers can opt to stay only on a short section of trail or walk through the entire circuit on a multiday experience.  

Apart from the hazards posed by steep trails and mountain weather, travellers should be prepared to face difficulty in finding the trail. The travellers should be prepared to live with challenging trail conditions, dogs, leaches, heavy rain, intermittent thunderstorms, and plenty of tropical suns. Access to emergency medical care and rescue is not always immediately available

About Sri Lanka hiking tours and trekking tours in Sri Lanka

This Sri Lanka hiking tour covers many popular hiking trails such as Sinharaja and Adam’s Peak. The tour expands over 6 days (5 nights) with overnight stays in different places each night. You are companied by a nature expert, who is well knowledgable about the island and its Fauna, Flora and other eco-attractions.

The hiking tour is suitable for experienced hikers and some of the hiking trails such as Adam’s Peak need strong physical and mental fitness. Hiking is the main feature of the tour and you will hike for about 20 hours during this Sri Lanka hiking tour. Some of the hiking trails are iconic tourist attractions such as the Dambulla cave temple and Sigiriya Rock, in other words, you will be able to visit some important natural and historical attractions during the hiking tour.

Please contact us at admin@seerendipitytours.com for more information and booking of the trip.

What is the best itinerary for the Sri Lanka hiking tour?

  • Day 1: Colombo>>Sigiriya>>Dambulla (Sigiriya hike and Dambulla temple hike)
  • Day 2: Sigiriya>>Kandy (Hiking at Udawattakele sanctuary )
  • Day 3: Kandy>>Nuwara Eliya (Horton plains hike)
  • Day 4: Nuwara Eliya Ella>>Adam’s peak (Adam’s peak hike)
  • Day 5: Adams peak>>Sinharaja (Rainforest trek Sinharaja)
  • Day 6: Sinharaja>>Colombo

What are the 8 Best hikes in Sri Lanka for a day trip?

Here is a list of the 8 Best hikes in Sri Lanka for a one-day trip from Colombo.

  • Adam’s peak hike
  • Ella hike (more suitable for a two days hiking trip)
  • Hiking in Nuwara Eliya (more suitable for a two days hiking trip)
  • Hiking in Kandy
  • Sinharaja rainforest hike
  • Kitulgala hike
  • Sigiriya hike
  • Dambulla rock temple hike

Best hikes in Sri Lanka -Adam’s Peak

  • The hike at Adams Peak is considered one of the best hikes in Sri Lanka and it is one of the longest hikes in the country.
  • A great deal of hiking in Sri Lanka required hard work, as well as patience. For Example, the hike at Sri Pada and Adam’s Peak and the Sigiriya rock fortress.
  • Adams’s Peak is one of the most popular places for hiking in Sri Lanka and, the view from the top of the mountain is simply spellbinding.
  • Perhaps you will find the lavish narration of the sunrise seen from Adam’s Peak is overrated, this is very popular hiking in Sri Lanka and is directly attributed to the religion, the hiking takes place through the chilled night is very difficult.
  • If you need to witness the sunrise from Adam’s Peak, the visitors need to make a moonlight hike in Sri Lanka, which lasts about 5 hours upon many thousands of steps, it is not something for the faint-hearted.
  • According to historical information, Adam’s Peak has been a pilgrimage site for the people of Sri Lanka for more than 1700 years. Buddhists, Hindus, Catholics as well as Muslims considered it to be a place of worship.
  • However, witnessing the dawn from the mountaintop is a lifetime wish of every Sri Lankan. As the twilight fades a large number of people flock to the temple in order to see the big moment.
  • Adam’s Peak is the 3rd highest mountain in Sri Lanka, the mountain is 2243 meters (7360 feet) high; the summit is reached via a narrow, steep path that features 5000 steps. It is a place for pilgrims, nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Why is Adam’s peak hike so important?

People of Sri Lanka call it “samanala kanda” (peak of butterfly), Sri Pada or Adam’s Peak, which is the most popular mountain in Sri Lanka as well as the site of the most popular hiking in Sri Lanka. At the pinnacle of the mountain is a Buddhist temple with a stone slab which contains the footprint of Buddha. One of the popular names for this mountain Sri Pada literally means the foot of Buddha. However Hindu devotees believe it to be the footprint of God Shiva and Muslims believe it is the footprint of Prophet Adam, one of the popular names of the mountain Adam’s peak derived from this thought.

According to the Christians, the stone slab at the top of the mountain is engraved with the footprint of the Apostle St.Thomas. Whoever the footprint belongs to this temple has been a leading pilgrimage site for all major religions on the island and all religious groups carry out their activities in harmony. This temple, which shines in the sky, is a place that retains religious harmony.

Buddhist flags of all sizes line up the Narrow, steep steps from the 1st step of the staircase’s uppermost step; it is a clear sign of Buddhist domination at the site. However, the visitors encounter a large number of foreign tourists every morning, who are venturing to the top of the mountain in order to see the sunrise and enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the way. The peak wilderness, which is a wildlife reserve envelopes Adam’s Peak Mountain, this patch of forest is resided by a large number of wild animals and it is an evergreen rainforest with higher biodiversity.

The flat surface of the mountain is small but can accommodate nearly a hundred people at a time. On top of the circular surface, the visitors encounter a small rectangular shrine that is built to house the stone slab with a footprint. Behind the shrine room is the tower with a hanging bell. It is customary to ring the bell by every visitor, who reaches the shrine; the number of strikes should resemble the number of all visits undertaken so far.

Hiking in Sri Lanka, sri lanka hiking, adam's peak hiking, trekking tours in sri lanka

When is the best time to hike Adam’s Peak?

As I was reaching the top during my first visit to the site (with a group of foreign travellers), it had been very crowded, because we have chosen the peak pilgrimage season to go up the mountain. However, the pilgrimage season (from November to April), is the best time to do the hike, most importantly due to safety reasons. The hiking trail is abandoned for the rest of the year, not illuminated, slippery (due to the frequent rain), and encroached upon by the jungle and wild animals. You hardly find any visitors throughout the hike during the off-season.

During the peak pilgrimage season, the upward, as well as downward journey, might take up to 8 hours due to the tourists and pilgrimage traffic, demanding you to allocate more time for the journey. Delays in the movement might occur especially on public holidays due to the large concentration of local devotees to the site.

Reaching the summit as the dawn breaks is the wish of everyone, everyone at the top of Adam’s peak is keeping their antenna up and watching the eastern sky to catch the first glimpse of the sunrise. I was lucky to station myself in a place that enables me to see the sunrise clearly. There are several conditions to be met in order to witness the clear sun-rise from Adam’s peak, the most important fact is the cloud-free sky. As the sun rises, the cone-shaped shadow of the mountain lands on the surface of the peak wilderness and diminishes gradually in a few minutes.

The view from the Adams Peak mountain

The view from the mountain is incredible; the smell from just a few meters away from the peak is also very intense, where peoples burn incense sticks. There is no suitable place for a rest on the summit, even though you make an hours-long, very difficult hike. The restrooms are not well maintained; therefore it is largely unsuitable for putting to work. If you wish to go up the mountain of Adam’s Peak it is highly recommended to reduce the chances of using the toilet near the peak as much as possible. There are a large number of guest houses and restaurants near the starting point of the climb, the travellers can easily freshen up just before starting the climb.

Be careful with the red-faced monkey on your Adams Peak hike in Sri Lanka

Red-faced monkeys known as macaques are also frequented in the area along with the devotees. These red-faced monkeys are gathering in the area to find food, sometimes the people feed these monkeys. However, getting too close to these animals can be dangerous because macaque monkeys can be aggressive and there is a chance of attacking people.

The best time for hiking tours to Adams Peak

The pilgrimage season starts in the month of December parallel to the North-East monsoon and subsequently last 6 months. It is highly recommended to refrain from climbing Adam’s Peak during the off-season due to wild animal attacks and adverse weather. There are hardly any Sri Lankan or foreign travellers set off on this journey during the off-season.

The month of December is a slightly cooler month with moderately lowered temperatures, especially in the mountainous areas. Full moon days are the best time to climb Adam’s Peak due to the moonlight. However the stairs of Adams Peak are illuminated by electric lights but they provide hardly any adequate light, it is better to have a head torch to get a better view of the steps and surrounding area. Don’t forget to cover up against the cooler climate on the mountain, you might feel it very cool as you seas the movement and wait for the sunrise.

The trekker encounters many stalls and boutiques selling Tea, Coffee, Rotty, and many other things required by the people, some of which provide well-maintained toilettes. These are resting points and are located at infrequent intervals.

Sri Lanka hiking tour fuelled by devotion

Climbing Adam’s Peak is mainly a religious affair undertaken by the local people, but there are many thousands of foreign travellers who set off on this arduous journey in order to experience this pilgrimage to the highest elevated temple in the world, which lies 2243 meters above sea level. The tourists are benefited in many ways during the march, 5 hours long trek is a wonderful opportunity to mingle with the local community coming from various parts of the country. And this trek also helps foreign travellers to witness the rich natural wealth around the area.

What are the 10 best places for Sri Lanka hiking tours and trekking tours?

  • Dambulla golden cave temple
  • Sigiriya rock fortress
  • Little Adam’s peak
  • Ella rock
  • Nasdanda Mountain
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • Pilkington point
  • Lipton seat
  • Cliff Lodge
  • Kabaragala Mountain
  • Wangedigala mountain
  • Knuckles Mountain range
  • Horton Plains national park
  • Pilkinton point
  • Adisham Bungalow and Tangamale nature reserve

1. Sri Lanka hiking tour – Dambulla cave temple

Better known as the Golden Cave temple for the elegantly painted granite caves in the jungle of boulders, the central province of Sri Lanka is a great place to see the Buddhist heritage of Sri Lanka. The artistically rich cave temple accommodates hundreds of statues and many thousands of square meters of painted ceiling. Pilgrims from all over the island gather here to see one of the oldest temples in the world, which is a UNESCO world heritage site dating back to the 1st century BC.

Dambulla golden cave temple is an essential part of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka and is located at the heart of the triangular area demarcated by Kandy, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura. Today Dambulla cave temple is under the purview of the archaeological department. The temple is located close to Dambulla town, about 181 km away from Colombo. The temple is located on a mountain and which considers one of the best Best hikes in Sri Lanka. It is about a 30-minute trek from the foot of the mountain to the cave temple. There are well-paved granite stairs leading to the temple.

BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE TOURS IN SRI LANKA
This 3-day Sri Lanka tour includes important cultural and historical monuments such as Sigiriya rock, Dambulla golden temple, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. The tour also includes wildlife tours, a spice/herbal garden, Peradeniya botanical garden, and many other places.

2. Sri Lanka hiking tour at Sigiriya rock

If you look for something – both mentally and physically – then you should consider a drive to the Sigiriya rock fortress. A laid-back small town in the dry zone of Sri Lanka is popular for its iconic granite monolithic rock, known as the Sigiriya rock fortress. It was the capital of Sri Lanka during the reign of renegade King Kashyapa. Today the fortress is visited by thousands of Sri Lankan and foreign travellers to take a glimpse of the rich artistic and engineering feats of the ancient people of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is a popular UNESCO world heritage site that can be visited all year round. The Sigiriya rock fortress is an essential part of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka.

Nature of Sigiriya Rock hike

The Sigiriya hike starts near the parking areas of the western gate of the Sigiriya rock fortress. The ticket counter is also located near the western gate, making it easy for visitors to get ahold of the ticket. Most travellers think that it would be an easy hike at Sigiriya because it is very flat and the magnitude of the hike cannot be ascertained from the distance. No one can see the actual height of the rock until get close to it; the western entrance is about 1km away from the foot of the rock.  Before arriving at the site you have to pass a forest track and a paved road.

Sigiriya rock hikes in Sri Lanka in detail

You have to start the march eastward from here, which is fairly easy on the flat gravel path. The direction to go is clear because you can see the rock in the distance; in fact, a large number of youths at the site help you to find the direction if you are confused, these young people, are working as site guides and guide foreigners to explore the rock fortress complex. Same time you can find informative signs about the place and give you a hint about where to go next.

As you march east towards your vehicle, the ticket counters are to be found on the right side, and on the left side it the cloakrooms. This is the last opportunity you get to use a cloakroom before entering the site. Once you started the march at the main gate, there is no chance of emptying your bottle until you return to the main gate. The hike may last 2 or 3 hours, depending on your physical fitness.  

At the nearby main entrance, your tickets will be checked and stamped, authorizing you to enter the site. You have to keep the ticket with you until you come to the parking areas again, because sometimes the tickets are checked again inside the site, by the officers of the archaeological department.

Once you enter the site it is a wide-open area with some brick structures that remains from ancient constructions. You will come to the landscaped garden, fountains, swimming pools, and many other constructions along the way.

 You need to march about 200 meters before reaching the ancient rock-cut steps. Afterwards, the climb gets gradually steeper and harder. About half of the march at Sigiriya is on flat ground while the rest is a steep climb on narrow steps.  According to Sarath, a young boy, who works at Sigiriya there are 1200 steps at Sigiriya, and about half of the steps are hewed into the natural rock while the rest is done using burnt terracotta bricks.

You continue in the same direction through the hike, the only exception is at the fresco pocket, where you have to climb on a spiral stair to see the paintings.  The fresco pocket is to be found about halfway down the track.

The lion terrace is an open area that you see after the mirror wall and fresco paintings; the ascent from the lion terrace is much easier than, what you have done so far because part of the steps is newly done with iron and protected with iron railing.  This is the last leg of the hike and it takes about 20 minutes to reach the top of the rock. The open area is a resting point for most travellers before continuing with the last part of the ascent.  From here you can have a nice view of the surrounding jungle, isolated paddy fields, villages, lakes, and tanks.

After brief rests make the remains of the hike on the metal stairs, and you will reach the summit without any trouble, a 360 degrees breathtaking view over the surrounding countryside is a sight to behold, and it is the best reward for your untiring effort. On the top of the rock, there is a large number of ruins, the foundation of the king’s palace, Throne, and swimming pool are among them.

The downward journey takes place along the same route unless you have to go to the coach park, which is to be found in the direction of the southern entrance.  As the name suggests the place where coaches are parked, in which the big tourist groups are travelling. So if you are with big groups, most probably you have to make it to the coach park after the hike. On your downward journey there few interesting places to stop and have a look into such as a meditation cave, audience hall, granite caves, arch boulders, circular ponds, and meditation caves.  The downward journey is much easier than the hike to the top and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the parking lot from the top.

Sri Lanka hiking tours in Kandy

Kandy is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Sri Lanka. Kandy is situated at teh elevation of 500 meters above sea level Kandy is located in a valley, which is surrounded by a large number of mountains. The mountains that surround Kandy provide a valuable opportunity for adventure lovers in Sri Lanka. These mountains are very suitable for trekking and hiking in Sri Lanka. Here are a few popular places in Kandy for hiking tours in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka tea plantation hiking in Kandy

Hantana – Glaha hiking trail is 12.1 kilometres long and starts near Hantana. The hiking on this route is not difficult and for most hikers, it is quite easy to hike. The duration of the hike swing between 3-4 hours. This is a very suitable trail for running, walking, and hiking

Hantana – Galaha hiking trail is one of the popular hiking trails in Kandy. The hiking trail starts at the Tea Museum of Kandy. Tea museum is a popular tourist attraction in Kandy a large number of travellers visit it every day. The museum showcases some of the very important machines that have been used at the initial stage of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. An ancient tea factory has been converted into a museum and the building itself dates back to the British colonial era. Travellers, who like to start their hiking in hantana, can conveniently park their vehicles at the museum.

The first part of the hike after starting at the tea museum goes in an upward direction and takes you to the pass from the lowland areas. Kandy is surrounded by a mountain range and the city is situated in a valley. The valley where Kandy city is situated is connected to the next valley, which is the tea plantation of hantana by the pass. Hantana is popular as a place for hiking, trekking and nature tours. It commands breathtaking views over the surrounding area including the other mountain ranges in the hill country. For more information on this Hantana-Galaha hiking trail

Sri Lanka Hiking Tours in Ella

Ella can be best described as a village in the woods; Ella has rough terrain and a large extent of green cover. Ella is a leading holiday destination on the island and a large number of foreign tourists are heading to this charming locality. Ella has a totally different atmosphere don’t expect loud music, vibrant nightlife, high-rise buildings, a busy market, a great shopping experience and large hotels. Ella is a laid-back village with calm and quiet surroundings, it is a place to relax, and it is a place to enjoy serenity and peace.  

Ella is a mountain resort surrounded by a large number of mountains, same time Ella is the home to many dozens of hiking trails and can give you a pretty good adrenaline-pumping thrilling experience.   Here we are going to talk about a few popular hiking trails in Ella, so get out onto the trail and explore the lush green highland.  

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Spend five memorable days on a tour of Sri Lanka with a variety of sightseeing activities. Visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla, bicycle around the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, tour Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and see the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) — all UNESCO World Heritage sites.

3. Trekking tours in Sri Lanka – little Adam’s Peak

Distance to cover on this hike: 3km (2.8mi)

Duration of the hike: 1 -2 hours

Rewards: the breathtaking view from the top

By far little Adams Peak is the most popular hiking trail in Ella. It is a well-laid-out track and a large number of travellers use it every day to reach the top of the mountian and enjoy the scenic over the surrounding lowland area. The hike is suitable for novice3s as well as experienced hikers, however, it is not a challenging hike. This hike is more suitable for a nature lover, who likes to enjoy the green-filled beautiful nature on a leisurely and quite easy hike.

Little Adams Peak is one of the best small mountains for Sri Lanka hiking tours. The hike at Little Adams Peak is not hard at all and it is suitable for hikers of all ages. You do not need experience in hiking to do it. Even though it is fairly a simple hike at Mini Adams Peak, the reward you get for your sweat is far more than what you deserve.  The view from the mountain is simply gorgeous; it commands a breathtaking view of the surrounding lowland. Make e leisurely hike in the morning or evening that’s the best time to evade the sun.

You need to make a little detour into the countryside from the main road, Take the Ella-Passara road from Ella town and turn to the right once you reach the Ella flower garden resort.  Thereafter the trail is clear and many signboards show you the direction to the mountain. The initial stage of the hike is on flat ground and you pass a lush tea garden. It would take around 45 minutes to reach the end point of the hike, only the last 20 minutes hike is a little bit steep.

4. Trekking tours in Sri Lanka-Ella Rock

The distance of the hike: 10km (6.2mi)

Duration of the hike: 3-4 hours

Rewards: Esperance on Hiking, fun, taxing, and deeply rewarding, spellbinding scenery

Ella harbour many dozens of top spots for Sri Lanka hiking tours and Ella is one of them. Ella Gap is a geographical phenomenon known to the entire island because the Ella Gap is the biggest of its kind on the island, measuring more than many thousands of meters in some places. I remember I learned about the Ella gat at school in my geography subject. Ella is a classic example of this geographical phenomenon called gap. So when you say Ella it is this Ella gap that’s what everyone thinks of.

The Gap is one of the most popular hiking trails in this mountain resort and it is a moderately difficult hike with exceptional and memorable views.  You have to allocate about half a day for the hike and the rest of the day will be for rest. The best time to start your hike is early morning or afternoon in order to evade the sun, during the mid-day it can really hot here. Having a local guide is recommended so that you are always on track.

Most hikers say that the early morning is the best time to hike at Little Adams Peak. because the travellers can have a look at the magnificent sunrise. This is a very popular hiking trail in Sri Lanka and can be crowded at a time due to the large gathering of foreign travellers. The travellers encounter 3 peaks on this track and most hikers end their adventure upon reaching the first peak. Therefore, the first peak tends to be crowded most of the time. the second peak and the third peak are not much crowded. Don’t forget to take a torch or headlamp with you if you make climb the mountain before sunrise, because it is very dark. The scenery is very beautiful on this track, especially in the early morning.

Sri Lanka hiking at nine arch bridge

If you are anchored in Ella mountain resort, it is well worth trying the nine arch bridge hike. Actually, it cannot be described as a hike, because the travellers make a walk on a quite easy path paved with concrete. However, the travellers encounter a beautiful scenic area with a lot of green and mountain peaks in teh backdrop. The distance of teh trail is 1.3 kilometres. The average time takes for the walk is around 30 minutes.

one-day trips from Colombo

Sri Lanka 3-day tour with Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla golden temple Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya

5. Best hikes in Sri Lanka- Nasdanda Mountain

The distance of the hike: 7km (4.2mi)

Duration of hiking tour: 2 hours

What to expect on these Sri Lanka hiking tours: Esperance on Hiking, fun, taxing and deeply rewarding, spellbinding scenery

Nasdanda Mountain is one of the best off-the-beaten-track destinations for adventure activities as well as for Sri Lanka hiking tours. The mountain is situated in the Badulla district in the central mountains of the island. The unpopular mountain provides opportunities for trekking, hiking, walking, and mountain biking.

Nasdana Mountain is situated bordering the Nuwara Eliya and Badulla district more than 1500 meters above sea level and this is a very popular trekking and hiking site that choose Ella for their holidays. The mountain looks like an elephant from a distance and its elevation peak is well over 2250 meters above sea level.

One can have a breathtaking view of the Uwa province from the top of the mountain. Climbing to the upper part of the mountain is difficult it could be dangerous for people who are new to mountain climbing. During British rule, there had been a platform specially made for security purposes from which they could monitor the whole region. The platform existed more than 75 years ago and it had been delayed in the past.

The railway track from Nanuoya to Badulla goes through Nasdana Mountain. The railway track in the mountain goes through several dozens of tunnels and tunnel 18 goes through the Nasdana Mountains. One distinct characteristic of the tunnel is two different climate patterns on either side of the tunnel. At one end of the tunnel is a dry climate while the other ends show a wet climate.

Nasdana Mountain is identified as an important catchment area and it is the beginning of many streams. Today this valuable upper watershed became a protected area in the mountains by declaring the areas above 5000 above sea level as protected areas.

Vegetation in the Nasdana Mountain is different from the low land vegetation of the country. Cool climate, frequent rail fall, mist in the evening and morning, and high elevation are the main factors for the differentiation of vegetation in the area.

Nasdana mountain and the regions were used for Chena (clear and burn cultivation) cultivation in the past. Therefore much of its valuable initial forest cover was removed and today one can see mainly the secondary forest cover, which consists of trees such as eucalyptus. The natural beauty of Nasdana is enhanced by the number of waterfalls arising from its streams. Diyawatanalla is one such famous beautiful waterfall situated in Alawathgoda.

6. Best hikes in Sri Lanka-Nuwara Eliya

When we talk about high-altitude areas, Nuwara Eliya,  Bandarawela, Horton Plains, and Haputale in the central mountain range hide a large number of places for hiking sites. Since there are dozens of hiking sites available at these ranges, central mountains are an essential part of most Sri Lanka hiking tours. From the hike at Horton plains national to Lipton seat of Bandarawela, every trekking site in the mountains is a full-time exciting package. Simultaneously, on the western slope of the mountain range, there are patches of rainforests and plantations at Kitulgala.

Towards the southern slope of the central mountain range, there are many trekking paths coming under the best hikes in Sri Lanka, featuring characteristics of nature trails. In the central province of Sri Lanka, there are many interesting trekking sites in the form of historical sites, ruins, patches of forests, and much more.

7. Best hikes in Sri Lanka-Hiking at Pilkington Point

Pilkington Point is located 1400 meters above sea level, and it is considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the island and one of the best places for hiking tours in Sri Lanka. Pilkington Point is not a popular viewpoint despite its natural beauty, and you will not be encountering hordes of hikers here. However, to my knowledge it is one of the best hikes in Sri Lanka, it is well worth investing some of your time if you head on to Bandarawela, Haputale and Ella.

The breathtaking scenery of a lush green valley with green-capped misty hills in the backdrop is a good reason to justify your visit to Pilkington Point. The scenery Pilkington point to with the touch of the unspoiled beauty of Mother Nature is hard to find in other parts of the island.  

Pilkington Point is located in the Poonagala tea estate, which is located 32 km from Haputale and can be reached via Bandarawela-Poonagala-Koslanda road. The gateway to the viewpoint is marked; about 20 km from Bandarawela.

If you drive from Bandarawela, the entrance to Pilkington Point will be on your right-hand side. The hike to Pilkington Point lasts about 30 minutes, and the hiking trail is 2km long. Even before reaching the summit, you will be able to get some spellbinding scenery of the misty hills.  

After having read this article now you are convinced that there is no status saying Sri Lanka is out of options for hiking. Check for the perfect Sri Lanka hiking for your activity and get addicted to the marvellous soft adventure activity that is hiking in Sri Lanka. So, it is time to pack your essential gearhead out for an unforgettable Sri Lanka adventure.

8. Trekking tours in Sri Lanka- Lipton seat

The Hike to Lipton seat is a remarkable experience and it should be on the bucket list on your holiday to Haputale. Located in the Dambatenna tea estate, Lipton’s seat is a panoramic viewpoint giving you a wonderful bird’s eye view over the surrounding tea estates, mountains, and valleys. Dambatenna tea estate is one of the very first tea estates acquired by Thomas Lipton. Thomas Lipton had been a nature lover and he used this place to entertain his visitors. It is possible to see a huge area from the Lipton Seat and the view spreads over 4 provinces. The view from the Lipton seat even covers the international port of Hambantota, which is located at the southern border of Sri Lanka.

When is the best time for a hike at Lipton Seat?

Undoubtedly the best time for the hike at Lipton Seat is in the early morning to witness the sunrise. However, in the early morning, the sky can be cloudy and your view can be disturbed. Since the Lipton seat is located in a high-altitude area, frequent rain and cloudy sky are very frequent in this area.  

9. Cliff Lodge for the best hike in Sri Lanka

Cliff Lodge is a small glamping site managed by a family and located in Haputale. If you plan a visit to Hauptale you can take this opportunity without any inconvenience. Cliff Lodge has a unique surrounding and its impact on the environment is very minimal. Cliff Lodge allows visitors to have accommodation while enjoying the natural beauty in the surrounding area. The hiking trail to the cliff lodge is about one and a half kilometres long and for an experienced hiker, it takes around 1 hour on this track. The track is considered to be an easy hike and suitable for novices as well as experienced hikers.  

10. Hiking in Sri Lanka-Kabaragala Mountain

The distance of the hike: is 8km

Duration of hiking tour: 3 hours What to expect on these Sri Lanka hiking tours: Esperance on Hiking, fun, taxing and deeply rewarding, spellbinding scenery

Kabaragala Mountain is one of the highest mountains in the central province of Sri Lanka and is located in Nawalapitiya of the Kandy district. Kabaragala is getting popular among hikers in Sri Lanka as it offers one of the best hiking experiences for travellers. The difficulty of the trail is moderate and it takes around 3 hours to reach the highest point of the mountain, which is about 1500 meters above sea level. The most impressive reward of this hike is the breathtaking view from the pinnacle of the mountain. The Kabaralgala mountain command a nice view over a large area of Sri Lanka hill country and travellers can see faraway lands marks such as s Adams Peak, “Ambuluwawa”, “Saptakana Mountains”, “Pidurutalagala mountain”, “Kotmale” and “Batalegala Mountain. Read more on the Kabaragala hike in Sri Lanka.

11. Hiking in Sri Lanka -Wangedigala mountain Badulla

Trekking hiking is a very popular activity in teh Sri Lanak hill country and travellers can find many interesting and very usable places for this thrilling adventure. Wangedigala mountain is another popular hiking place in Sri Lanka hill country. Wangedigala Mountain is located in Kalupahana in the Badulla district. Wangedigala Mountain is an off-the-beaten-track tourist site and is therefore not popular among travellers. Some local travellers head on to Wangedigala for hiking and camping. The Wangedeigala mountain peak is more than a hundred meters long and one end of it extends to Wangedi-Kanda (Wangedi mountain), Balatuduwa and Gonmolliya mountain. Gonmoliya is one of the highest mountains in Sri Lanka with a height of 2034 meters from sea level.

12. Sri Lanka hiking tour-Knuckles mountain range

As the name suggests “knuckles mountain” means the mountain range with the shape of a clenched fist because from a distance this mountain range takes a shape of a clenched fist. Located in teh Matale district with close proximity to the hill country capital of Kandy, Knuckles Mountain is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to experience the natural beauty with a twist of a bit of adventure. Knuckles mountain hike and trekking allow visitors to experience the mesmerizing mountain scenery, cascading waterfalls, and perennial waterways.

The knuckles hiking and trekking tour can be booked from Kandy and tour operators organize this Sri Lanka hiking tour with pick up from Kandy. The Knuckles hike about a 4 hours adventure through the verging hill country forest. The visitors are guided by an experienced nature guide, who has wide experience being a nature guide for a large number of travellers in the past. The knuckles hiking tour from Kandy starts at around 7.00 Am, and the participants are provided with a local lunch prepared in a local village house. For more information Knuckles hiking tour please contact us at admin@seerendipitytours.com.

13. Horton Plains national park

Horton Plains plateau abruptly ends at one point called World’s End, with an impressive precipice that drops 880 meters. The trail circles back to Baker’s Falls, another 2 kilometres away, and then returns another 3.5 kilometres to the park’s entrance. Three hours is plenty of time to make the 9.5-kilometre round-trip. The view from World’s End is often clouded by mist, especially during the rainy season (April–September), thus getting there early is highly recommended.

After 9 a.m., the only thing visible from World’s End is a white wall that seems to be constantly moving in the wind. The best time to go is between 6 and 10 in the morning before the clouds start to form. At that point, you’ll have a clear view of the shore to the south, as well as the toy town and the villages of the tea plantation in the valley below.

The trekking route at Horton plains national park can be quite crowded on Sundays and national holidays, so try to avoid walking it then if at all possible.

Put on your sun protection gear, a hat, and sturdy shoes for strolling. Pack some snacks, drinks, and sunscreen. If you want to treat yourself once you get to World’s End, order a breakfast package from your guesthouse and eat outside. Rapid climatic shifts are common on the plains, from bright sunshine one minute to chilly fog the next. It becomes quite chilly at 6 a.m., so be sure to bring along some extra blankets.

It is strictly banned to wander off the designated trails, some of which are muddy and difficult to navigate. A number of people have fallen to their deaths since there are no guardrails at World’s End. Hold your little children tightly as you get closer to the brink of the cliff.

14. Pilkinton point

Pilkington Point (around 1400m above sea level) is named after Sir George Pilkington, an English tea pioneer from the 19th century. The point is marked by a simple hut and a century-old, painted stone signboard identifying local landmarks.

A trail leading up to Pilkington Point may be reached from the Bandarawela-Koslanda road after about an hour’s hike. To reach Millennium Point, one of the highest vantage points in the highlands at 1500m, a designated trail continues to ascend steeply for another 45 minutes. Take caution as the upper platform has been degrading over time, and keep an eye out for wild elephants and boars, especially after dark.

15. Adisham Bungalow and Tangamale nature reserve

Located three kilometres west of Haputale town, Adisham is a large and robust granite country mansion in the Tudor style, complete with English gardens and orchards. Built in 1931 by a Scottish tea planter, the property has been owned by the Sylvestro Benedictine order since 1961, however, visitors are permitted to wander the grounds and see the two colonial rooms that have been restored.

To the left of Adisham’s main entrance is a designated hiking trail that travels west along the ridge’s top for about 8 kilometres, all the way to the peaceful Tangamale Sanctuary. Mini-verts, green barbets, blue magpies, hornbills, and orioles are just some of the species you might see on your peaceful stroll through the pine and eucalyptus trees. You can either turn around and head back to Haputale or keep going to Idalgshinna where the trail finishes. The path is somewhat steep, though not too difficult to navigate.

There’s no greater feeling than that of comfort and performance than having the right gear as you hike outdoors. Some of the most important gear to have on a hiking trip are hiking boots, a hiking vest, Hiking poles, sunglasses, a selfie stick, and a backpacking chair.

Hiking boots-Usually these boots come with leather and mesh upper part, and it provides elevated breathability and durability during the trail. Usually, these boots are equipped with rubber or other material that offers stability, and it also offers slip-resistant performance. The air cushioning under the heels improves overall comfort whilst reducing stress with each step you take even if you hike all day long.

Hiking poles– it is better to have a pair of hiking poles as it makes the hike safe and easy. There is a big difference in the time taken on a hike with hiking poles and without hiking poles, hiking poles can reduce the time taken on the hike drastically. Hiking poles give you added stability and reduce the weight passed onto your joints too.  

Hiking sun glasses-this is a very handy gear for anyone, who undertakes a hike in Sri Lanka. You will be explored to bright sunshine for a long time as you take a hike on all trails in Sri Lanka; therefore, sunglasses are very important to protect your eyes. It is not only the UV rays that harm your eyes but having to squint for hours on end can make your face very sore, which is why a good pair of outdoor sunglasses is important.

Selfie stick-a selfie sticks are also very important as you take a hike it enables you to take photos on your own. You will pass breathtaking scenery along the way on these trails and there may be instances when you wish to make a photo with scenic background. However, you will not be able you do it without the help of a buddy or a stranger passing by.

Backpacking chair-light weight backpacking chair definitely is a very handy tool for hiking at Adam’s Peak. The hike at Adam’s Peak can last more than 5 hours depending on your fitness so it is a long backpacking trip. Keeping the backpack as light as possible is very important, however, a lightweight chair is highly recommended on Adam’s peak hike, as you make many breaks along the way.

Drinking water-Drinking water is a vital resource for anyone to survive, but it is heavy though, which means carrying a lot of fluids make your backpack very heavy causing you difficulty. You should be having at least 2 litres of mineral water on a hike similar to Adam’s peak hike. You can use a portable water filter instead of carrying mineral water on the hike and it is a good way of reducing the backpack’s Weight.   

Recomended items for your trekking tour

General

  • Passport
  • Cash and bank card
  • Trekking poles
  • Pepper spray
  • Phone, charger, adapter
  • Headphones
  • Battery bank and charging cable
  • Headlamp
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes
  • Sunscreen
  • Earplugs
  • 5 ziploc waterproof bags
  • Sunglasses
  • Cap (sun protection)
  • Umbrella (rainy season comfort/luxury item)
  • Hairbrush
  • 7 trash bags to pack everything in a waterproof way in my bag
  • 18 litres backpack to carry everything

For filming

  • Small tripod
  • Small microphone
  • Action camera
  • First aid
  • Disinfection alcohol swabs
  • Safety pin (for blisters)
  • Plasters (dettol was great)
  • Plaster tape /roll
  • Voltaren small pain relief gel (did not need, but always good to have)
  • Small cream (for sunburns, feet etc, bought it on the trail as I was missing it)
  • Immodium
  • Painkiller
  • Strepsils
  • Loratadine – in case of allergic reaction (bees, wasps)

Hygiene

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Small shampoo (bought new ones in towns)

Clothes

  • Rain jacket
  • 2 t-shirts
  • 1 pair of shorts
  • 1 fleece
  • 1 pair of quick dry and light hiking pants
  • 1 pair of leggings (for evenings and sleeping)
  • 1 long sleeves warm shirt (for evenings and sleeping)
  • 4 pairs of socks (could have been more)
  • Underwear
  • 2 sports bras
  • Leech socks
  • Nike running shoes

Ready to take a hiking trip to Sri Lanka with Seerendipity Tours?

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