Off the beaten path around Kandy

This page is about less-frequented places of interest in the
Kandy District of Sri Lanka.

Find a list of links to dozens of off-the-beaten-path destinations
all over Sri Lanka here...
Kandy
Kandy

Popular tourist attractions in the Kandyan hills of Sri Lanka

Whether you are visiting the Cultural Triangle area or the Central Highlands, Kandy will almost certainly be on your way when being on a round tour. The charming hill capital is worth to stay there several days. Elephant bath or tea factory or the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya or village tours in Pilimattalawa are popular attractions in the surroundings of Kandy. Many heritage travellers like to see the Western temples of Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and Embekke from the Gampola period.

Lonesome places in the surroundings of Sri Lanka's hill capital

2**stars & almost secret
Though situated only 3.5 km south of the famous Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the ancient Buddhist temple of Hindagala is still a hidden treasure. That's all the more surprising, as in the immediate surroundings of Kandy city Hindagala is not only one of the cave temples with the best examples of murals from the Kandy period. Hindagala also has one of the very few examples of a rock painting from the Anuradhapura period and is therefore of extraordinary significance.
2**star & rarely visited by foreigners
Hanthana Mountain Range is the backyard mountain of Sri Lanka's highland capital, Kandy, situated just to the south of Kandy City and Peradeniya. The starting point of a rewarding easy hike to wonderful panoramic viewpoints is in only 6 km driving distance from the town's centre. On the way, there are several more attractions such as the Ceylon Tea Museum, a recently opened bird park, and a newly constructed large white dagoba, the Sandagiri Stupa.
1*star & rarely visited by foreigners
The newly constructed Sandagiri Maha Seya in the Hanthana Range is now the largest stupa building in Kandy District. Located not far from the Ceylon Tea Museum, it is worth considering a half-day excursion from Kandy city, which is in only 6 km distance. The access road to the huge white dagoba starts near the highest point of the Hanthana road, just opposite the starting point of the hiking trail to the summit of Hanthana.
1*star & almost secret
I you are looking for a very lonesome white stupa dome erected atop a steep dark granite hill with stunning views to Sri Lanka's central highlands, Bhadravati Temple of Pupuressa very close to Galaha might be the best choice. Climbing the long stairway to the top is a little bit of an Adam's Peak feeling. The monastey at the foot of the dominant hill serves as a heath and care center for sick and old Buddhist monks in a very tranquil environment. 
1*star & almost secret
This classical half-day trip excursion can easily be extended to become a full-day excursion by also visiting the nearby Kandy-period temples in Danthure and Dodamwela and relaxing in the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya on the way back.
1*star & rarely visited
Only very few tourists travel to destinations in and around the Mahaweli Valley situated to the east of Kandy, though there are several places of interest around Victoria and Randenigala Reservoir. Besides Dambulla and Ridigama, the cave temple of Degaldoruwa has the most impressive murals in the Kandyan style. It’s rarely visited, though it’s surprisingly close to Kandy.
1*star & almost secret
The main attraction of Wattegama to the northeast of Kandy is Rahas Ella, a mini canyon with cascades and a natural pool, which is safe for bathing, because a cleft is in a distance behind rocks and although the legends say: Whoever comes to see a red treasure in the pool is destined to die soon.
2**star & almost secret
Among the numerous waterfalls around Madulkele and Gomara at the western slopes of Knuckle Range the falls of Huluganga Ella are the widest and mightiest. Though not far from Kandy and situated directly at a road, the falls are rarely visited by foreigners except from the hikers and trekkers, who usualla start or finish their excursions in this valley.
2**star & rarely visited
The mountain village of Gomara, situated 40 km northeast of Kandy, is the main starting point of hikes and treks to the highest mountains of Knuckles Range, namely Gombaniya, the name-giving 5 Knuckles Peaks, and the pyramidical Tunhisgala. Gomara, however, is also an attraction in itself due to the abundance of waterfalls in the immediate surroundings, some of them hidden and almost unknown, whereas Jodu Ella is an iconic twin fall.
3***star & rarely visited
The hilltop of Riverston in the northern foothills of Knuckles Range is one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Sri Lanka. The good news is, it can esaily be reached from a car park in only 2 km distance. The bad news is, the mountain road leading to this car park is very bumpy and therefore takes a lot of time for the journey, which is otherwise not long considering the distance from the Kandy-Jaffna A 9 main road.
2**star & rarely visited
Pitawala Patana Matale District is a 20 hectars large grassland terrain in the northern foothills of Knuckles Range, in only 6 km distance from the Riverston towers. Due to a very thin soil on a large rock surface, only very rare plant species are adapted to the extreme environmental conditions of Pitawala Patana. But the fauna is rich. An escarpment called Mini World's End is within only 800 m walking distance from the car park and ticket office of Pitawala Patana.
3***stars & almost secret
Even tourists who have not time enough for hiking in the Knuckles Range or are not eager to walk long distances, could consider a half-day excursion to Medamahanuwara and Hunasgiriya and Deanston in the southern foothills of Knuckles Range. Hiking only very short distance will be rewarded with astonishing vistas. Surprisingly, not many foreigners come to know these places when preparing their tours. Great places such as Deanston are still off the beaten path. An excursion to Deanston can easily be expanded to include Corbett’s Gap and Meemure as well.
2**star & rarely visited by foreigners
Corbett's Gap, known as Attalamettuwa in the Sinhala language, is a mountain pass in Knuckles Range, which is  crossed by the dead-end mountain road from Hunnasgirya to Meemure road. Corbett's Gap has excellent views to Knuckles Range in both durections and is a starting point of hikes and treks to Dumbanagalla, which is not far away to the northeast, and also to 5 Knuckles Peaks, which is to the northwest.
3***stars & not crowded
Meemure has a reputation of being one of the most scenic villages in Sri Lanka, which is the brest starting point of hikes and treks in Knuckle Range, Sri Lanka's favorite trekking destination. Rock climbing and waterfall abseiling and other streambed acticities are further attractions. Lots of campsites can be found in the valley. Nonetheless, due to its remote location Meemure is still an authentic rural village and not at all a tourist hub.
3***stars & almost secret
Lakegala has three peaks and is therefore called "Gal Thuna" in Sinhala. The highest peak is the central one, which is also known as Meeriyagolla. This peak can be reached without mountaineering skills on a one-day hike. However, the climb is not possible without using the hands at the steepest parts. The view from the top deserves to be praised as the best panorama of Knuckles Range, Sri Lanka's favourite trekking region.
3***stars & almost secret
The Dewalagala Plains, locally better known as Mathalagala, are an open grassland on a hill in the northeastern part of Knuckles Range, situated between the villages of Meemure and Narangamuwa. From Natangamuwa, it's only a 3 km and one to one-and-a-half hours hike uphill to Mathalagala camoing site, rewarded by one of the most breathtaking views in Sri Lanka. To the west, you can see the three peaks (Gal Thuna) of Lakegala.
2**stars & almost secret
One of the most amazing viewpoints in the immediate vicinity of Meemure in Kuckles Range is Uda Pathana, an open grassland on the crest of a hill, which is in only 800 m distance from the iconic cliff of Meemure Lakegala. However, the last 300 m to reach this almost unknown destination have to be found through the thicket without any jungle path. That's why Uda Pathana is almost never visited by travelers.
1*star & almost secret
On the way to the Cultural Triangle further north, many travellers take a break to see the rock temple of Aluvihara. It’s also worth to include it on a day trip to the seceic northeast of Kandy, the northern foothills of Knuckles Range. There are short hikes with phantastic vistas in Riverston or to the waterfalls of Bamarakiri. A stop in Rattota at the island’s only Rama temple and detour to the beloved Hunas Falls hotel are worth considering on the way back.
1*star &  almost secret
Hanguranketa, the hideout of the Kandyan kings during periods of foreign intervention, has a temple with an impressive collection of palm-leaf manuscripts and a large building full of Kandyan paintings. It could be a welcome break for those who are travelling an alternative and less touristy route to Nuwara Eliya.

photo courtesy of Günter Schönlein
1*star &  almost secret
Sri Lanka's twin waterfalls of Jodu Ella, also known as Bambarella Knuckles Falls, are located in the immediate surroundings of the hiking village Gomara at the foot of Knuckles Range, in 36 km driving distance from Kandy. This valley abounds with picturesque waterfalls,
1*star &  almost secret
The waterfalls of Saree Ella are situated near the highland village of Gomara, which is a perfect starting point for hikes and treks in Knuckles Range, which is part of the World Heritage Site called Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. The entire area is extraordinarily rich in waterfalls. Reaching Saree Ella does not require hiking, but driving on a very bumpy road along the river valley of Huluganga.
1*star &  almost secret
The Rangala Natural Pool near the village of Galabadawaththa on the way from Rangala to Gomara in Knuckles Range is an idyllic spot inviting for a weekend picnic. However, due to a sudden drop of the underground, bathing here is very dangerous for non-swimmers. This can be seen from the bad news that four fatal accidents occured in Rangala Natural Pool in recent years.
2**stars & almost secret
Only 3 km upstream from Meemure are the awesome waterfalls of Diyakerella amidst a thick jungle. Usually, Diyakerella is a lonesome place inviting to have a picnic. However, from time to time adventure holiday makers arrive here for a waterfall abseiling experience, which can be organized on request.
1*star & almost secret
Seven Falls in Knuckles Range, not to be confused with Seven Falls in Peak Wilderness, is a group of waterfalls formed by the Mee River between Corbett's Gap and Meemure can be reached via a small but steep jungle path from the road to Meemure. Two jumping rocks can be used for some very cool jumps in every sense of the word, but should only be done with precaution measures of local professional life guards.
1*star & almost secret
Gurulupotha Archaeological Site is a rare example of a Padhanghara type of monastery from the 7th to 8th century in the hillcountry: The same ruins, according to the Ramayana Trail Stories, are believed to be remnants of Mandodari's palace, where the legendary demon king Ravana held Sita in captivitiy after kidnapping her and bringing her to his capital Lankapura, before transferring her to the famous Ashoka Vatika
1*star & almost secret
The town of Bibile is not a major tourist attraction in itself. Rather, it's a gateway for exploring some of the most lonesome regions in Sri Lanka, particularly the villages of the aboriginal Wedda people in the plains of Bintenna to the northwest of Bibile and in the hills of the Gal Oya area to the southeast. To the southwest of Bibile are the easternmost ranges of Sri Lanka's central highlands.
2**stars & almost secret
The summit of the impressive scarp of Kondagala, part of the ridge of the main range in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, is a hiking destination that is accessible without any mountaineering efforts. A recommendable day excursion for holiday makers staying in Kandy is part of the Loolecondera Estate, which is the oldest Ceylon Tea plantation, once founded by the pioneering tea grower James Taylor, who lived at the foot of Kondagala rock in this scenic area that he loved so much.