Hiking & Trekking Tour In Sri Lanka

MAIN HIKING POINTS IN SRI LANKA

Adam’s Peak
7km, 2.5-4 hours, moderate

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The pilgrimage season, which starts on the poya (full moon) day in December and lasts until the Vesak holiday in May, attracts the majority of hikers. Pilgrims begin trekking at 2 a.m. to reach the peak before daylight, but you may begin the climb from Dalhousie shortly after nightfall to avoid crowds, which slow movement to a crawl on poya days. At the peak, gather your breath as you watch the sunrise light Sri Lanka like a blessing, then pay your respects at the Buddha, Shiva, or Adam’s rock footprint (depending on which legend you subscribe to).

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Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock
4.5km to 10km, half-day, easy

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Begin your adventures with a 4.5km round trip to Little Adam’s Peak, a verdant knoll with spectacular views of waterfalls and tea factories glistening in the mist that cloaks the surrounding hills. The 10km hike to Ella Rock is more difficult, but also more rewarding; a steady ascent through typical highland terrain begins immediately on the railway rails at Ella Station. The last hike through eucalyptus groves will bring you to the summit of a rocky
outcrop with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Distances vary, 2-3 hours, easy

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Sinharaja Forest Reserve, the country’s biggest lowland rainforest, is a biodiverse paradise bordered by rivers and bustling with forest animals, including rare mammals and 147 bird species, including 33 species found exclusively in Sri Lanka. Sinharaja is only accessible by foot, not by vehicle, and requires a guide to keep you safe amid the deep and humid jungle. Stay close to enter the park early in the morning before the tour groups come from the shore, when the paths are calm and the wildlife is most active.

Horton Plains & World’s End
9.5km, three hours, easy

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Horton Plains National Park is one of the few parks where tourists may walk alone, but there is no public transportation, so you must organise a drop-off and pick-up in Nuwara Eliya or Ohiya. After a 4km journey over the plateau, the ground abruptly drops down to World’s End. When the weather is good, the views of the lowlands drifting below are spectacular, but come early in the morning to avoid crowds and clouds. The route circles back to the beautiful Baker’s Falls before returning to the national park entrance at Far Inn, so the 9.5km round journey will take you around three hours.
The abrupt drop-off at the end of the Horton Plains, which looks out over one of Sri Lanka’s most jaw-dropping panoramas, is known as World’s End in Sri Lanka. When we say ‘plains,’ we mean an undulating plateau over 2,000 meters high, dotted with untamed grasses, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls, hazy lakes, and pockets of dense forest filled with wildlife.

The Knuckles
Distances vary, 1-2 days, hard

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The name ‘Knuckles’ originates from the contour of these rugged peaks, which from a distance resemble a clenched fist. The majority of visitors come on two-day camping excursions from Kandy, visiting the little villages and terraced paddy fields in the foothills before ascending to the high massif. Typically, agencies go from east to west across the park, resting overnight in safari tents and stopping at waterfalls and caves along the route. Bring a bird book; close encounters with several of the park’s 128 bird species are almost inevitable.

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Head to the thickly wooded Knuckles Range northeast of Kandy to get off the beaten path in Sri Lanka. This steep mountain is part of the Unesco-designated Peak Wilderness Protected Area, which was established to safeguard the island’s endangered montane and cloud forests. Hiking in the Knuckles Range will likely expose you to more locals than visitors, as well as more buffaloes, monkeys, and birds than humans. With luck, you could even see a leopard or a wild elephant among the misty vegetation. However, guides are required, but we have got your covered.

Meemure
Distances vary, 1-2 days, moderate

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Meemure is the most remote village in Sri Lanka, therefore don’t attempt to conquer it in a single day. Hikes lasting more than two days are easier for experienced hikers. To get to Meemure, go to the Knuckles Range and follow the route there. Whatever path you choose, the major attraction is the sharp peak that towers above the village.