Meemure - hiking & camping & adventures in Knuckles Range

Meemure, a small rural village of only between 400 and 500 inhabitants, is definitely among the top highlights Sri Lanka has to offer for holiday makers. Believe us, Meemure is a true dream destination, as amazing as Ella or Nuwara Eliya for sure. But in contrast to the two latter tourist destinations, Meemure is still not on everyone's shortlist of visiting sites, though it admittedly is a big name among hikers and trekkers and eco-tourists, because Meemure is the main starting point of most trails in Knuckles Range, which is Sri Lanka's trekking destination number one. To put it in other words: Despite of its fame among trekkers and campers, Meemure is still not crowded with foreign guests. It ccan still be called a hidden location. There are no noisy bars, no souvenir shops, no pushy touts, nothing of what you should usually expect to experience at a touristic site of this immense appeal. Many Sri Lankans love Meemure not only for the beauty of its surroundings, but for its charme of still being a traditional Sri Lankan village. Probably, you will meet more Sri Lankan visitors than foreign tourists in Meemure. Particularly young people love this remote village in Sri Lanka's most scenic valley. Meemure is not only famous for the nearby cliffs and jungle trails and vantage points, but also for the abundance in streams and cascades. You can hear the sounds of water almost everywhere. Last not least, Meemure has Sri Lanka's most picturesque rice terraces. Other staple crops of the villagers include pepper, cardamom, and ginger. According to local legends, Kuweni and her children escaped to the jungles of Meemure after having been banished by Vijaya, the Sinhalese conunquerer of Sri Lanka. The Vedda community is believed to be their offspring.

Location

Meemure at a far point of Kandy District is situated in 72 km (45 miles) road distance from Kandy. Cars can reach Meemure only by using a 30 km (19 miles) long dead-end road branching off from the scenic Kandy-Mahiyangana mountain road A 26 at its highest point in Hunnasgiriya. The dead-end road from Hunnasgiriya Junction to Meemure runs along Deanston, which is famous for its Mini World's End, and Corbett's Gap, which is one of the most noteworthy mountain passes in Sri Lanka, offering spectacular views in both directions. Due to its numerous amazing views, the entire Hunnasgiriya-Meemure road deserves to be called a travel highlight in itself. For comparison, this remote and lonesome mountain road to Meemure is even more exciting than the much more famous (and very busy) mountain roads to Nuwara Eliya.

Meemure Lakegale Climbing

Photos taken in Meemure are easily recognizable for the pyramid form of the village's conspicuous backyard mountain. The emblematic peak of Lakegala also gained some recognition with movies and TV serious. Lakegala shows an almost perfect triangular shape only when seen from Meemure. The spectacular peak can be climbed along a rope that is spun in a not too deep crevice of the cliff. For non-mountaineers, this is definitely the most challenging and adventurous climb on the island of Sri Lanka. However, it's too dangerous without the help of professionals, who will also have to prepare you in advance and ask you to accept short-term cancellations in case of expected adverse weather consitions.

Hiking and Trekking in the Knuckles Range Region of Meemure

For normal hikers and trekkers Meemure is a paradise, too. As said, almost all famous Knuckles trails start (or end) in or near Meemure, particularly the long treks to Five Knuckles Peaks and to Tunhisgala. By the way, the village at the other side of the main range of Knuckles is Gomara, which is at the western foot and much closer to Kandy than Meemure. Apart from treks reaching or crossing the peaks of the main range, there are treks in other directions, too. Most noteworthy is the trail to Narangamuwa, from which a short trail branches off to Mathalagala. The hike to Mathalagala is manageable as a half-day excursion from Meemure. It usually takes 2.5 hours to reach the plains of Mathalagala, though it's only 5 km one way, but it requires going uphill 500 m (1600 feet) in height. Even more demanding is the climb to Meeriyagolla, which is also known as Naranagmuwa Lakegala. Only experienced trekkers in a good phyical shape can manage this tour within one day up and down. It's more recommendable to do it with an overnight stay in Narangamuwa or in a tent. Even longer and more strenuous is the climb to Kehelpathdoruwa to the east of Meemure.

Mathalagala view to Lakegala

Meeriyagolla view to Meemure Lakegala

Meemure also has options of very easy hikes without long or steep uphill climbs, viz. along the streams. In the upstream direction you can reach the breathtaking Diyakerella falls. However, you have to cross the stream twice to reach the waterfalls, so better take shoes that can get wet or additional sandals. Other easy hikes can be done along the river known as Heen Ganga, of which the stream running through Meemure is a tributary.

Along the stream, just before it flows into the Heen Ganga, are two natural fun activity attractions of Meemure, namely a jumping rock and a sliding rock. Both wet adventures are safe but should be accompanied by an experienced guide. The same applies to the two other jumpinf rocks near Meemure, which are found amidst of a group of waterfalls known as Eli Hatha, which translates to "Seven Falls".

lowermost cascade of Seven Falls

Diyakerella Falls

Accommodation in the Area of Meemure

There are several highly attractive campsites in the immediate surroundings of Meemure. Most of the guesthouses in Meemure offer only basic facilities. Admittedly, the prices are significantly higher than those for comparable accommodation in other remote villages. More comfortable places for overnight stays can be found closer to Corbett's Gap.

view from Mathalagala to the valley of Meemure

Climate in Meemure

Usually, the lowest temperatures in Meemure are in January and the highest in May. Till March, the nighttime temperatures can fall below 10 degrees centrigrade. Campers should be aware of this. But in general, the climate in Meemure is mild. It receives the most rainfall in the months of January to April and again in October to December. In August and September, the climate is dry and most recommendable for camping and hiking and particularly for rock climbing, but be aware, the vegetation can turn from lush green to yellowish then.