There are lot of mountains in Sri Lanka. Out of those, the main and highest mountain peaks as follows.
1. Pidurutalagala – 2524 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
2. Kirigalpotta – 2395 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
3. Thotupalakanda – 2357 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
4. Adam’s Peak – 2243 m – in Rathnapura District in Sabaragamuwa Province
5. Kikilimana – 2240 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
6. Hakgala – 2170 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
7. Namunukula – 2036 m – in Badulla District in Uva Province
8. Knuckles – 1863 m – in Kandy District in Central Province
9. Gongala – 1358 m – in Rathnapura District in Sabaragamuwa Province
10. Bible rock – 798 m– in Kegalle District in Sabaragamuwa Province
In addition to above main peaks there are lot of mountain ranges and peaks in Sri Lanka. But several peaks are not allowed for tourists. Therefore, the best tourists’ attractions are described below which are most famous for trekking.
Location : 40 km from Rathnapura in Sabaragamuwa Province
32 km from Hatton in Central Province
Importance : The meaning of “SRI PAADA” is Sacred footprint. The sacred left footprint
imprinted by the Lord Buddha on the third visit to Sri Lanka is located at the apex of the
mountain. Sri Paada is a sacred place of Sri Lankan Buddhists.
How to Visit Sri Paada : There are 03 roads (paths) to visit Sri Paada
I. Hatton – Nallathanni road – This is the shortest and most crowded path. Nallathanniya
is located at the foot of mountain and the closest main town is Hatton. Tourists can
come to Nallathanniya by public transport or private vehicles. The stairs begin from the
Nallathanniya. It will take 4 hrs to 06 hrs to reach the peak of the mountain.
II. Rathnapura – Palabaddala road - Palabaddala is located at the foot of mountain series
and the closest main town is Rathnapura. Tourists can come to Palabaddala by public
transport or private vehicles. The stairs begin from the Palabaddala. It will take 08 hours
to 12 hours to reach the peak of the mountain.
III. Kuruwita - Erathna road - This is the longest and least crowded path. Erathna is located
at the foot of mountain series and the closest main town is Kuruwita. Tourists can come
to Erathna by public transport or private vehicles. From Erathna there is foot path up to
meet the Palabaddala road. This is the most scenic and attractive trace to Sri Paada. It
will take 08 hours to 12 hours to reach the peak of the mountain.
There are two seasons for worshiping/visit Sri Paada. Every year May to December is off
season and there is no any shop up to the peak and also weather conditions are not good
(rainy season) to visit. December to May is the season for Worship/visit Sri Paada.
2. Pidurutalagala
Pidurutalagala is the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. It is located near to the Nuwara Eliya in
central province. The height of the Pidurutalagala is 2524 m and the peak is visible to the
Nuwara Eliya area. At the present the telecommunication towers and country’s Radar System has been established at the peak and therefore summit of the mountain is now declared as a high security zone. Therefore, it is not allowed for tourists.
3. Kirigalpotta
Kirigalpotta is the second highest mountain in Sri Lanka. It is located in Nuwara Eliya district in central province. Kirigalpotta mountain is located inside the Horton Plain national park and tourists can go to the peak of the mountain. Kirigalpotta is the highest mountain peak in the country whose summit is accessible to the tourist and general public.
The trail to Kirigalpotta peak is starting from the main entrance of Horton Plain national park.The length of the trail is about 6 km and it will take 3-4 hours to reach the summit. Tourists can see wild life as well as can enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding during the hiking to Kirigalpotta.
4. Riverston
Riverston peak is located inside the Knuckles forest reserve in Matale district in central province. It is very calm, scenic and attractive peak with a marvelous surrounding view. Tourists can reach Riverston peak without much effort. The natural beauty of this area is really amazing.
5. Lipton’s Seat
Lipton’s Seat is an observation point located near to Dambetenna in Uva Province. The nearest city is Haputale which is located in Badulla district. This peak was named as Lipton’s Seat, because famous tea planter Sir Thomas Lipton used this place as his observing point.
In a clear day 04 provinces (Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern) are visible to this location. Some of major reservoirs such as Samanala Wewa, Udawalawa and Lunugamwehera can be clearly observed from this point. It is better to visit before 10.00 a.m. to enjoy a clear view. This place is one of best observation point in Sri Lanka and it gives very scenic and marvelous surrounding view for tourists.
6. Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s peak is located close to the Ella in Uva province. The entrance is located nearly 5 km from Ella town in Ella-Passara road. From the entrance it will take 30-45 min for the hike.
When you reach, it is able to get superior experience through the 360 degrees panoramic views.The hiking of Little Adam’s peak is not much hard.
7. Ella Rock
Ella rock is located near Ella in Uva Province. The hiking of Ella rock is quite tough. It is a good place for trekkers who are loving for the hiking. For climbing up and down it will take 4 hours. The way is with full of diversity with waterfall, forest and tea plantations. Once you came to the top, it can be experience beautiful and marvelous panoramic views with mist and cloud.
8. Ritigala
Ritigala is a mountain and also an ancient Buddhist Monastery located in North Central
province. Ritigala is the highest mountain located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Ritigala mountain range is consist of 04 peaks and height of the highest peak is about 766 m and it is called at Ritigala mountain. Ritigala mountain range has been declared as a Strict Natural Reserve due to its environmental values.
Ruins of the Ritigala Monastery belongs to the Anuradhapura kingdom. It consists lot of caves and ruins of other ancient buildings. At the ancient time Ritigala was a Buddhist Monastery and lot of Buddhist monks had been living in this premises.
Ritigala has very specific climate and environmental conditions. The climate conditions at the summit of the mountain has considerable difference with respect to the foot. Ritigala is located in dry zone, but the upper part of mountain has wet zone climate conditions. The types of flora in upper part can be seen in central hills of Sri Lanka. Therefore, Ritigala is considered as a unique area in Sri Lanka. The wild animals such as Elephants, Leopards and Bears can be found in Ritigala. With this cultural and environmental values, currently Ritigala is one of best attraction in Sri Lanka among the both local and foreign tourists.
1. Pidurutalagala – 2524 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
2. Kirigalpotta – 2395 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
3. Thotupalakanda – 2357 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
4. Adam’s Peak – 2243 m – in Rathnapura District in Sabaragamuwa Province
5. Kikilimana – 2240 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
6. Hakgala – 2170 m – in Nuwara Eliya District in Central Province
7. Namunukula – 2036 m – in Badulla District in Uva Province
8. Knuckles – 1863 m – in Kandy District in Central Province
9. Gongala – 1358 m – in Rathnapura District in Sabaragamuwa Province
10. Bible rock – 798 m– in Kegalle District in Sabaragamuwa Province
In addition to above main peaks there are lot of mountain ranges and peaks in Sri Lanka. But several peaks are not allowed for tourists. Therefore, the best tourists’ attractions are described below which are most famous for trekking.
Best Mountains for Hiking in Sri Lanka
1. Adam’s Peak (Sri Paada)
Location : 40 km from Rathnapura in Sabaragamuwa Province
32 km from Hatton in Central Province
Importance : The meaning of “SRI PAADA” is Sacred footprint. The sacred left footprint
imprinted by the Lord Buddha on the third visit to Sri Lanka is located at the apex of the
mountain. Sri Paada is a sacred place of Sri Lankan Buddhists.
How to Visit Sri Paada : There are 03 roads (paths) to visit Sri Paada
I. Hatton – Nallathanni road – This is the shortest and most crowded path. Nallathanniya
is located at the foot of mountain and the closest main town is Hatton. Tourists can
come to Nallathanniya by public transport or private vehicles. The stairs begin from the
Nallathanniya. It will take 4 hrs to 06 hrs to reach the peak of the mountain.
II. Rathnapura – Palabaddala road - Palabaddala is located at the foot of mountain series
and the closest main town is Rathnapura. Tourists can come to Palabaddala by public
transport or private vehicles. The stairs begin from the Palabaddala. It will take 08 hours
to 12 hours to reach the peak of the mountain.
III. Kuruwita - Erathna road - This is the longest and least crowded path. Erathna is located
at the foot of mountain series and the closest main town is Kuruwita. Tourists can come
to Erathna by public transport or private vehicles. From Erathna there is foot path up to
meet the Palabaddala road. This is the most scenic and attractive trace to Sri Paada. It
will take 08 hours to 12 hours to reach the peak of the mountain.
There are two seasons for worshiping/visit Sri Paada. Every year May to December is off
season and there is no any shop up to the peak and also weather conditions are not good
(rainy season) to visit. December to May is the season for Worship/visit Sri Paada.
2. Pidurutalagala
Pidurutalagala is the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. It is located near to the Nuwara Eliya in
central province. The height of the Pidurutalagala is 2524 m and the peak is visible to the
Nuwara Eliya area. At the present the telecommunication towers and country’s Radar System has been established at the peak and therefore summit of the mountain is now declared as a high security zone. Therefore, it is not allowed for tourists.
3. Kirigalpotta
Kirigalpotta is the second highest mountain in Sri Lanka. It is located in Nuwara Eliya district in central province. Kirigalpotta mountain is located inside the Horton Plain national park and tourists can go to the peak of the mountain. Kirigalpotta is the highest mountain peak in the country whose summit is accessible to the tourist and general public.
The trail to Kirigalpotta peak is starting from the main entrance of Horton Plain national park.The length of the trail is about 6 km and it will take 3-4 hours to reach the summit. Tourists can see wild life as well as can enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding during the hiking to Kirigalpotta.
4. Riverston
Riverston peak is located inside the Knuckles forest reserve in Matale district in central province. It is very calm, scenic and attractive peak with a marvelous surrounding view. Tourists can reach Riverston peak without much effort. The natural beauty of this area is really amazing.
5. Lipton’s Seat
Lipton’s Seat is an observation point located near to Dambetenna in Uva Province. The nearest city is Haputale which is located in Badulla district. This peak was named as Lipton’s Seat, because famous tea planter Sir Thomas Lipton used this place as his observing point.
In a clear day 04 provinces (Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern) are visible to this location. Some of major reservoirs such as Samanala Wewa, Udawalawa and Lunugamwehera can be clearly observed from this point. It is better to visit before 10.00 a.m. to enjoy a clear view. This place is one of best observation point in Sri Lanka and it gives very scenic and marvelous surrounding view for tourists.
6. Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s peak is located close to the Ella in Uva province. The entrance is located nearly 5 km from Ella town in Ella-Passara road. From the entrance it will take 30-45 min for the hike.
When you reach, it is able to get superior experience through the 360 degrees panoramic views.The hiking of Little Adam’s peak is not much hard.
7. Ella Rock
Ella rock is located near Ella in Uva Province. The hiking of Ella rock is quite tough. It is a good place for trekkers who are loving for the hiking. For climbing up and down it will take 4 hours. The way is with full of diversity with waterfall, forest and tea plantations. Once you came to the top, it can be experience beautiful and marvelous panoramic views with mist and cloud.
8. Ritigala
Ritigala is a mountain and also an ancient Buddhist Monastery located in North Central
province. Ritigala is the highest mountain located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Ritigala mountain range is consist of 04 peaks and height of the highest peak is about 766 m and it is called at Ritigala mountain. Ritigala mountain range has been declared as a Strict Natural Reserve due to its environmental values.
Ruins of the Ritigala Monastery belongs to the Anuradhapura kingdom. It consists lot of caves and ruins of other ancient buildings. At the ancient time Ritigala was a Buddhist Monastery and lot of Buddhist monks had been living in this premises.
Ritigala has very specific climate and environmental conditions. The climate conditions at the summit of the mountain has considerable difference with respect to the foot. Ritigala is located in dry zone, but the upper part of mountain has wet zone climate conditions. The types of flora in upper part can be seen in central hills of Sri Lanka. Therefore, Ritigala is considered as a unique area in Sri Lanka. The wild animals such as Elephants, Leopards and Bears can be found in Ritigala. With this cultural and environmental values, currently Ritigala is one of best attraction in Sri Lanka among the both local and foreign tourists.
