Mountains in Sri Lanka's Highlands - Adam's Peak & more
Lakegala in Knuckles Range, in the background: Alugal Kanda in the center, Dumbanagala to the left
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This article consists of two parts, the first part lists the Top 10 highest mountains of Sri Lanka.
The second part (click here) is about other peaks, which are more prominent in respect of surpassing their environs.
The second part (click here) is about other peaks, which are more prominent in respect of surpassing their environs.
The 10 highest mountains of Sri Lanka
Pidurutalgala, known as Mount Pedro in the British colonial period, is the highest point in Sri Lanka, reaching an altitude of 2,524 m (8,281 feet) above sea level. It's the island's only mountain of more than 8000 feet. Except from the very summit, Mount Pidurutalagala is densely covered with forest. Hiking on its slopes is possible, but the forest paths are almost without panoramic views. The summit serves as a governmental communications array and a radar station of the the armed forces. Because of that, the very summit is inaccessible to the public. Seen from the nearby town of Nuwara Eliya, Pidurutalagala is a quaint, but not an immensely impressive peak. The altitude difference is only around 600 m (1900 feet) and the forested slopes are not steep. Despite its height above sea level, the appearance of Mount Pidurutalagala resembles more that of a high hill in an upland area or in a low mountain range, comparable to Mount Mitchell in the Appalachians in the USA or the Brocken in the Harz of northern Germany.
Kirigalpotta, with an altitude of 2,395 m (7,858 feet), is Sri Lanka's second highest mountain and the highest peak accessible to the public. Kirigalpotta belongs to Horton Plains National Park. The peak is situated to the west of the central car park of the national park. Kirigalpotta surmounts the surrounding grassland plains by around 400 m. A trail of 7 km (4.5 miles) one way leads to the top. It's a scenic trail. However, it's not well maintained and a little bit rocky in parts. That's why the entire hike up and down will take around 5 to 6 hours and is sigificantly more strenuous than the much more famous and popular circular path to Baker's Falls and World's End. Combining both hikes, Kirigalpotta and World's End, takes an entire day.
Thotupola, 2,357 m (7,858 feet) high, is the northeastern peak of Horton Plains, not far from the entrance gate for travelers arriving from Nuwara Eliya. Actually, the hike from near the national park gate to the top is very short. But the views are not as good as those from the open grasslands crossed by the road. That's why Sri Lanka's third highest peak is rarely visited by hikers.
Kudahagala (also known as Agrabopath) is actually Sri Lanka's fourth highest mountain, raching 2,320 m (7,612 feet). It's also part of the Horton Plains National Park, in appearance looking like a forested hill. Kudahagala is situated between Kirigalpotta and Thotupola, but closer to the former. Actually, many consider it to be a subsidiary summit of Kirigalpotta. That's why Kudahagala not mentioned in some lists of Sri Lanka's highest mountains.
Siri Pada, better known as Adam's Peak in other nations than Sri Lanka, is often said to be the fourth tallest mointain, though with 2,243 m (7,359 feet) it's not as high as Kudahagala. Indisputably, Siripada is iconic and can be rightfully called the island's landmark mountain. Arabic seafarers were so impressed by the triangular silhouette, which can be seen from the sea on clear days, that they often make mention of it and many of them even considered it to be the highest mountain in the world. It were the Arab merchants and settlers and not the Christian conquerers and occupiers that named this mountain "Adam's Peak", because they thought it was at the top of this peak where the first human being, Adam, set his foot on earth for the first time, after he had been expelled from paradise. This is to say, the summit of Adam's Peak alias Siri Pada is the place on earth which is closest to paradise. Visiting it, you will certainly agree. However, Buddhists consider the over-large footprint on the very top to have been left by the Buddha and Hindus say it was dented by Lord Shiva. The top of Siri Pada is definitely the most amazing viewpoint of Sri Lanka. But due to the many pilgrims, this is not at all a lonesome mountain. Please note: On northern hemisphere winter Full Moon Days, particularly when falling on a Friday or Monday, the kilometers-long stairways can be so jam-packed with pilgrims, sothat it becomes entirely impossible to reach the top.
Kikilimana, 2,240 m (7,349 feet) tall, is the peak to the northeast of the valley of Nuwara Eliya. When traveling from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, you can see it from the Labookellie tea plantation. It's the peak to the right of the road, crowned by broadcasting towers (whereas Pidurutalagala is to the left and it's radar station can not be seen from the road). A small road from Nuwara Eliya Valley leads to the top of Kikilimana, which has nice views to Nuwara Eliya, but not as nice as those from the neighbouring Single Tree Mountain, which is listed further below.
Great Western Mountain, reaching 2,216 m (7,270 feet) above sea level, is the one-kilometer long and almost isolated crest to the west of Nuwara Eliya, surmounting the hills of Dimbula, Sri Lanka's largest tea region, which stretches from Great Western Mountain to Adam's Peak. Travelling by train from Colombo or Kandy to Nanu Oya (which is the station nearest to Nuwara Eliya), you will often see this mountain on the left side, just when riding along the most scenic part of the rail route between Hatton and Nanu Oya. Great Western Station, between the railway stations of Talawakelle (near St. Clair's Falls) and Radella railway station, is at the foot of the mountain. Great Western, as the peak is usually called, can be reached on a hike of around six hours up and down. But be aware: The path is difficult to find and it can be very slippery or muddy in parts. The Great Western Trail is comparatively steep. Because it's somewhat challenging for normal hikers, Great Western is almost never visited by foreign travellers, though it's a great destination indeed. Sri Lankan youths who like hiking usually have it on their shortlists. We advise against doing this hike without a local guide.
Hakgala is a rock and a 2,170 m (7,119 feet) high mountain just behind the village and botanical garden of the same name. It can be seen from Gregory Lake and Sita Eliya, when driving from Nuwara Eliya to Haputale or Ella or Badulla. Hakgala marks the western edge of the Uva Basin, Namunukula is the highest peak of the opposite eastern side. The best view to Hakgala Mountain, however, is from the observation platform of Moon Plains. Climbing Hakgala Mountain is prohibited, because this is a so-called strict nature reserve. The Hakgala Mountain Forest is famous for its avifauna, including several rare or endemic highland bird species.
Conical Hill, at an altitude of 2,166 m (7,106 feet) above sea level, is the neighbour of Hakgala to the west. The road from Nuwara Eliya to Ambewela Farm and Horton Plains runs through the valley between both mountains. Despite its name, Conical Hill is an elongated crest, which appears conical only when seen from the south. Conical Hill can be climbed. But pathes are not well-trodden. Almost the entire mountain is forested.
Single Tree Hill, also called One Tree Hill, is the 2,105 m(6,906 feet) tall mountain to the west of Nuwara Eliya, surmounting the valley by only around 250 m (800 feet). The top with broadcasting towers is easy to reach. Single Tree Hill has the best views to Nuwara Eliya and Pidurutalagala mountain and also to Lake Gregory.
Number 11 in altitude (or number 10, if not counting Kudahagala) is Mahakudagala. It's situated to the northeast of Nuwara Eliya and Pidurutalagala, not far from the town of Ragala. The forested mountain of Mahakudagala is at the eastern spur of Narangala mountain range, whereas the grassland peak of Narangala, which is a famous hiking destination, marks the western end. The Narangala Range, particularly the area close to Mahakudagala, forms the high-grown tea region of Udapussellawa.
Kirigalpotta, with an altitude of 2,395 m (7,858 feet), is Sri Lanka's second highest mountain and the highest peak accessible to the public. Kirigalpotta belongs to Horton Plains National Park. The peak is situated to the west of the central car park of the national park. Kirigalpotta surmounts the surrounding grassland plains by around 400 m. A trail of 7 km (4.5 miles) one way leads to the top. It's a scenic trail. However, it's not well maintained and a little bit rocky in parts. That's why the entire hike up and down will take around 5 to 6 hours and is sigificantly more strenuous than the much more famous and popular circular path to Baker's Falls and World's End. Combining both hikes, Kirigalpotta and World's End, takes an entire day.
Thotupola, 2,357 m (7,858 feet) high, is the northeastern peak of Horton Plains, not far from the entrance gate for travelers arriving from Nuwara Eliya. Actually, the hike from near the national park gate to the top is very short. But the views are not as good as those from the open grasslands crossed by the road. That's why Sri Lanka's third highest peak is rarely visited by hikers.
Kudahagala (also known as Agrabopath) is actually Sri Lanka's fourth highest mountain, raching 2,320 m (7,612 feet). It's also part of the Horton Plains National Park, in appearance looking like a forested hill. Kudahagala is situated between Kirigalpotta and Thotupola, but closer to the former. Actually, many consider it to be a subsidiary summit of Kirigalpotta. That's why Kudahagala not mentioned in some lists of Sri Lanka's highest mountains.
Siri Pada, better known as Adam's Peak in other nations than Sri Lanka, is often said to be the fourth tallest mointain, though with 2,243 m (7,359 feet) it's not as high as Kudahagala. Indisputably, Siripada is iconic and can be rightfully called the island's landmark mountain. Arabic seafarers were so impressed by the triangular silhouette, which can be seen from the sea on clear days, that they often make mention of it and many of them even considered it to be the highest mountain in the world. It were the Arab merchants and settlers and not the Christian conquerers and occupiers that named this mountain "Adam's Peak", because they thought it was at the top of this peak where the first human being, Adam, set his foot on earth for the first time, after he had been expelled from paradise. This is to say, the summit of Adam's Peak alias Siri Pada is the place on earth which is closest to paradise. Visiting it, you will certainly agree. However, Buddhists consider the over-large footprint on the very top to have been left by the Buddha and Hindus say it was dented by Lord Shiva. The top of Siri Pada is definitely the most amazing viewpoint of Sri Lanka. But due to the many pilgrims, this is not at all a lonesome mountain. Please note: On northern hemisphere winter Full Moon Days, particularly when falling on a Friday or Monday, the kilometers-long stairways can be so jam-packed with pilgrims, sothat it becomes entirely impossible to reach the top.
Kikilimana, 2,240 m (7,349 feet) tall, is the peak to the northeast of the valley of Nuwara Eliya. When traveling from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, you can see it from the Labookellie tea plantation. It's the peak to the right of the road, crowned by broadcasting towers (whereas Pidurutalagala is to the left and it's radar station can not be seen from the road). A small road from Nuwara Eliya Valley leads to the top of Kikilimana, which has nice views to Nuwara Eliya, but not as nice as those from the neighbouring Single Tree Mountain, which is listed further below.
Great Western Mountain, reaching 2,216 m (7,270 feet) above sea level, is the one-kilometer long and almost isolated crest to the west of Nuwara Eliya, surmounting the hills of Dimbula, Sri Lanka's largest tea region, which stretches from Great Western Mountain to Adam's Peak. Travelling by train from Colombo or Kandy to Nanu Oya (which is the station nearest to Nuwara Eliya), you will often see this mountain on the left side, just when riding along the most scenic part of the rail route between Hatton and Nanu Oya. Great Western Station, between the railway stations of Talawakelle (near St. Clair's Falls) and Radella railway station, is at the foot of the mountain. Great Western, as the peak is usually called, can be reached on a hike of around six hours up and down. But be aware: The path is difficult to find and it can be very slippery or muddy in parts. The Great Western Trail is comparatively steep. Because it's somewhat challenging for normal hikers, Great Western is almost never visited by foreign travellers, though it's a great destination indeed. Sri Lankan youths who like hiking usually have it on their shortlists. We advise against doing this hike without a local guide.
Hakgala is a rock and a 2,170 m (7,119 feet) high mountain just behind the village and botanical garden of the same name. It can be seen from Gregory Lake and Sita Eliya, when driving from Nuwara Eliya to Haputale or Ella or Badulla. Hakgala marks the western edge of the Uva Basin, Namunukula is the highest peak of the opposite eastern side. The best view to Hakgala Mountain, however, is from the observation platform of Moon Plains. Climbing Hakgala Mountain is prohibited, because this is a so-called strict nature reserve. The Hakgala Mountain Forest is famous for its avifauna, including several rare or endemic highland bird species.
Conical Hill, at an altitude of 2,166 m (7,106 feet) above sea level, is the neighbour of Hakgala to the west. The road from Nuwara Eliya to Ambewela Farm and Horton Plains runs through the valley between both mountains. Despite its name, Conical Hill is an elongated crest, which appears conical only when seen from the south. Conical Hill can be climbed. But pathes are not well-trodden. Almost the entire mountain is forested.
Single Tree Hill, also called One Tree Hill, is the 2,105 m(6,906 feet) tall mountain to the west of Nuwara Eliya, surmounting the valley by only around 250 m (800 feet). The top with broadcasting towers is easy to reach. Single Tree Hill has the best views to Nuwara Eliya and Pidurutalagala mountain and also to Lake Gregory.
Number 11 in altitude (or number 10, if not counting Kudahagala) is Mahakudagala. It's situated to the northeast of Nuwara Eliya and Pidurutalagala, not far from the town of Ragala. The forested mountain of Mahakudagala is at the eastern spur of Narangala mountain range, whereas the grassland peak of Narangala, which is a famous hiking destination, marks the western end. The Narangala Range, particularly the area close to Mahakudagala, forms the high-grown tea region of Udapussellawa.
prominent Peaks in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Except from Adam's Peak, all mountains of the top 10 list of highest altitudes are situated in the surroundings of Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains.
Outside this central and south-central region of the highlands, there are several peaks in other areas of Sri Lanka's highlands that surmount their respective environs far more than the above-listed mountains around Nuwara Eliya. It has to be said again, the by far most prominent mountain of the island - in the said respect of altitude difference to the foot of the mountain - is Adam's Peak alias Siri Pada.
Another eyecatching prominent peak is Namunukula, the almost 2000 m high backyard mountain of Badulla and (after Thotupola of Horton Plains) the second highest peak of Uva Province. In a sense, Namunukula marks the southeastern corner as Siripada marks the southwestern corner of the central highland region of Sri Lanka. The shape of Namunukula is less conspicuous than that of Siri Pada, but like Siri Pada the Namunukula mountain can be seen and recognized easily from far distances and all directions. The summit of Namunukula can be reached on rather steep but easy to find footpathes and without need of hands for climbing .
The Upper Laxapana Range, which is to the north of Siri Pada, is also known as Saptha Kanya in Sinhalese or Seven Virgins in English. The tallest of the Seven Virgin brows reaches 1,569 m (5,148 feet) above sea level. Experienced hikers claim that hiking here is as amazing as in Knuckles Range. Seven Virgins alias Upper Laxapana Range is situated in a very remote area, the seven peaks can be reached on a hike of altogether 10 km up and down, but the path is difficult to find and it's a very demanding tour for a full day. Indeed, a camping night should be considered for an excursion to climb the crest of the Seven Virgins. Hiking to Seven Virgins Mountain should not be done without the help of a local guide and permission from the wildlife department. This lonesome region in the very north of Peak Wilderness Sanctuary is a habitat of sloth bears and leopards.
Not far from Seven Virgins, also in the western highland region, Karabagala is a similarly spectacular hiking destination, but it's much easier to reach. At an altitude of 1,506 m (4,941 ft), Karabagala is the highest peak of Dolosbage Range, which towers the city of Nawalapitiya. Dolosbage Range is separated from the Seven Virgins of Upper Laxapana Mountain Range by the Kelani river (Kitulgala Valley).
Further north - and to the west of Kandy - Alagalla at an altitude of 1140 m (3,740 feet) is by far the most prominent peak is. Alagalla is almost shaped like a volcano, when seen from Kandy, but actually it forms a crest. Alagalla is a popular hiking destination of youths.
Even further north, between Matale and Kurunegala, there are three conspicuous peaks, the highest of which is Etipola, 1,250 m (3,280 feet) above sea level. Due to cliffs around the summit plateau, Etipola is not easy to climb. The easiest hiking destination in this region is Hulangala. The third peak of this northwestern range is Wiltshire very close to Matale town.
To the west of Etipola and Hulangala and Wiltshire - at the opposite side of the Matale Valley - is Knuckles Range, which is Sri Lanka's best hiking and trekking region. The highest mountain of Knuckles Range is Gombaniya, at an altitude of 1906 m (3,281 feet). It has a vertical escarpment, but the top can be reached without mountaineering from the other side. The Gombaniya trek starts near Madulkele. The easternmost mountain of Knuckles range is Yahangala, called "bedrock mountain" due to the slightly inclined shape of the summit plateau. Yahangala is a mythic place surrounded by legends. The summit is only 1260 m ( feet) above sea level. But among all peaks mentioned in this article, Yahangala is most difficult to climb and by far the most dangerous hike. The reasons are twofold. Firstly, the wide and slightly sloped summit plateau has almost vertical escarpments on all sides. It's not possible to reach the top without rock climbing. Secondly, you can not come close to Yahangala by road, you have to walk several kilometers to the foot of the rock, and this is highly dangerous, as the surrounding plains and valleys of Yahangala are crowded with wild elephants, particularly in the late afternoon.
The prominent mountains of Yahangala in the northeast, Etipola in the northwest, the famous Siri Pada alias Adam's Peak in the southwest and Namunukula in the southeast, form the four cornerstones of Sri Lanka's central higlands. Except from Adam's Peak, the other cornerstone mountains are below 2000 m in elevation. But all these four prominent peaks are more eyecatching, much steeper, and they have more stunning views than most of the forested much higher mountains (above 2000 m) around Nuwara Eliya in the very center of the highlands.
Outside this central and south-central region of the highlands, there are several peaks in other areas of Sri Lanka's highlands that surmount their respective environs far more than the above-listed mountains around Nuwara Eliya. It has to be said again, the by far most prominent mountain of the island - in the said respect of altitude difference to the foot of the mountain - is Adam's Peak alias Siri Pada.
Another eyecatching prominent peak is Namunukula, the almost 2000 m high backyard mountain of Badulla and (after Thotupola of Horton Plains) the second highest peak of Uva Province. In a sense, Namunukula marks the southeastern corner as Siripada marks the southwestern corner of the central highland region of Sri Lanka. The shape of Namunukula is less conspicuous than that of Siri Pada, but like Siri Pada the Namunukula mountain can be seen and recognized easily from far distances and all directions. The summit of Namunukula can be reached on rather steep but easy to find footpathes and without need of hands for climbing .
The Upper Laxapana Range, which is to the north of Siri Pada, is also known as Saptha Kanya in Sinhalese or Seven Virgins in English. The tallest of the Seven Virgin brows reaches 1,569 m (5,148 feet) above sea level. Experienced hikers claim that hiking here is as amazing as in Knuckles Range. Seven Virgins alias Upper Laxapana Range is situated in a very remote area, the seven peaks can be reached on a hike of altogether 10 km up and down, but the path is difficult to find and it's a very demanding tour for a full day. Indeed, a camping night should be considered for an excursion to climb the crest of the Seven Virgins. Hiking to Seven Virgins Mountain should not be done without the help of a local guide and permission from the wildlife department. This lonesome region in the very north of Peak Wilderness Sanctuary is a habitat of sloth bears and leopards.
Not far from Seven Virgins, also in the western highland region, Karabagala is a similarly spectacular hiking destination, but it's much easier to reach. At an altitude of 1,506 m (4,941 ft), Karabagala is the highest peak of Dolosbage Range, which towers the city of Nawalapitiya. Dolosbage Range is separated from the Seven Virgins of Upper Laxapana Mountain Range by the Kelani river (Kitulgala Valley).
Further north - and to the west of Kandy - Alagalla at an altitude of 1140 m (3,740 feet) is by far the most prominent peak is. Alagalla is almost shaped like a volcano, when seen from Kandy, but actually it forms a crest. Alagalla is a popular hiking destination of youths.
Even further north, between Matale and Kurunegala, there are three conspicuous peaks, the highest of which is Etipola, 1,250 m (3,280 feet) above sea level. Due to cliffs around the summit plateau, Etipola is not easy to climb. The easiest hiking destination in this region is Hulangala. The third peak of this northwestern range is Wiltshire very close to Matale town.
To the west of Etipola and Hulangala and Wiltshire - at the opposite side of the Matale Valley - is Knuckles Range, which is Sri Lanka's best hiking and trekking region. The highest mountain of Knuckles Range is Gombaniya, at an altitude of 1906 m (3,281 feet). It has a vertical escarpment, but the top can be reached without mountaineering from the other side. The Gombaniya trek starts near Madulkele. The easternmost mountain of Knuckles range is Yahangala, called "bedrock mountain" due to the slightly inclined shape of the summit plateau. Yahangala is a mythic place surrounded by legends. The summit is only 1260 m ( feet) above sea level. But among all peaks mentioned in this article, Yahangala is most difficult to climb and by far the most dangerous hike. The reasons are twofold. Firstly, the wide and slightly sloped summit plateau has almost vertical escarpments on all sides. It's not possible to reach the top without rock climbing. Secondly, you can not come close to Yahangala by road, you have to walk several kilometers to the foot of the rock, and this is highly dangerous, as the surrounding plains and valleys of Yahangala are crowded with wild elephants, particularly in the late afternoon.
The prominent mountains of Yahangala in the northeast, Etipola in the northwest, the famous Siri Pada alias Adam's Peak in the southwest and Namunukula in the southeast, form the four cornerstones of Sri Lanka's central higlands. Except from Adam's Peak, the other cornerstone mountains are below 2000 m in elevation. But all these four prominent peaks are more eyecatching, much steeper, and they have more stunning views than most of the forested much higher mountains (above 2000 m) around Nuwara Eliya in the very center of the highlands.
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