Narangamuwa - lonesome village for Knuckles hikes
Narangamuwa is a lonesome rustic village at the northern slopes of Knuckles Range, more precisely, at the northern foot of the vertical Komalewa Rock, which is better known under the name of Narangamuwa Lakegala.
Mountains of Knuckles Range near Narangamuwa
Be aware, that most of the peaks in this area are known under more than one name. So let's try to explain the names: Komalewa and Meeriyagolla and Lakegala are the three peaks of the Gal Thuna, which means "Three Rocks", an isolated ridge with vertical cliffs at three sides. But most commonly all the said three rocks are called "Lakegala", the southernmost, which is Lakegala in a narrow sense, being called Meemure Lakegale and the northern one, as said, Narangamuwa Lakegale.
Whereas Meemure Lakegala can only be climbed by very experienced free climbers or along a permanent rope at its western slope, with the starting point of the climb to be reached from Meemure, the other two peaks can be reached without any mountaneering skills, though not without taking the help of hands at the steepest parts of the trail. The latter trek to Meeriyagolla, which is the highest of the three peaks of the Lakegala range (alias Gal Thuna), starts from the village of Narangamuwa, which is in 7 km (4 miles) walking distance from Meemure via a jungle path.
Whereas Meemure Lakegala can only be climbed by very experienced free climbers or along a permanent rope at its western slope, with the starting point of the climb to be reached from Meemure, the other two peaks can be reached without any mountaneering skills, though not without taking the help of hands at the steepest parts of the trail. The latter trek to Meeriyagolla, which is the highest of the three peaks of the Lakegala range (alias Gal Thuna), starts from the village of Narangamuwa, which is in 7 km (4 miles) walking distance from Meemure via a jungle path.
Komalewa seen from Narangamuwa
stream in Narangamuwa village
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view from Meeriyagolla trek in Knuckles Range
hiking from Narangamuwa to Meeriyagola
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Hiking and Trekking from Narangamuwa
Narangamuwa is has much less visitors than Meemure. However, for the Lakegala (alias Meeriyagolla) trek, it's highly recommendable to have an overnight stay in Narangamuwa instead of Meemure. From Narangamuwa you can manage to climb to the top and back within 7 or 8 hours, whereas from Meemure it would take 5 hours more altogether.
Narangamuwa is the starting point of other highly attractive treks, too. You can even reach Tunhisgala from here. However, only few trekkers do this. For Tunhisgala, Meemure is the better starting point indeed. But the two best view points to Lakegala (alias Gal Thuna) can best be reached from Narangamuwa, namely Atanwale to the west of Lakegala and Mathalagala to the east. The trek to Atanwale is even longer than that to Meeriyagolla or Komalewa (Narangamuwa Lakegala), and Narangamuwa is by far the nearest village. In contrast, it's very easy to reach Mathalagala from Narangamuwa. It only takes 1 or 1.5 hours one way. For the most part, the trail from Narangamuwa to the excellent view point of Mathalagala is the same as that from Narangamuwa to Meemure. Halfway to Meemure, the trail to Mathalagala branches of to the left and from that junctions goes uphill less than half a kilometer (1,500 feet). Sure, you can come to the same junction from the other side, from Meemure. However, the hike from Narangamuwa to Mathalagala is easier and faster, because you have not to climb such a long path uphill as from Meemure. Another hiking destination not far from the path between Narangamuwa to Meemure is Bombagala directly at the foot of the Lakegala range. The path to Bombagala branches up to the right, when advancing from Narangamuwa.
Narangamuwa is the starting point of other highly attractive treks, too. You can even reach Tunhisgala from here. However, only few trekkers do this. For Tunhisgala, Meemure is the better starting point indeed. But the two best view points to Lakegala (alias Gal Thuna) can best be reached from Narangamuwa, namely Atanwale to the west of Lakegala and Mathalagala to the east. The trek to Atanwale is even longer than that to Meeriyagolla or Komalewa (Narangamuwa Lakegala), and Narangamuwa is by far the nearest village. In contrast, it's very easy to reach Mathalagala from Narangamuwa. It only takes 1 or 1.5 hours one way. For the most part, the trail from Narangamuwa to the excellent view point of Mathalagala is the same as that from Narangamuwa to Meemure. Halfway to Meemure, the trail to Mathalagala branches of to the left and from that junctions goes uphill less than half a kilometer (1,500 feet). Sure, you can come to the same junction from the other side, from Meemure. However, the hike from Narangamuwa to Mathalagala is easier and faster, because you have not to climb such a long path uphill as from Meemure. Another hiking destination not far from the path between Narangamuwa to Meemure is Bombagala directly at the foot of the Lakegala range. The path to Bombagala branches up to the right, when advancing from Narangamuwa.
view from Matalegala to Lakegala
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Lakegala alias Gal Thuna in Knuckles Range
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Narangamuwa has few options for overnight stays, but there are more in around 10 km road distance at the B312 main road near Hettipola.
Climate and Seasons in Narangamuwa
The elevation of Narangamuwa Temple is 500 m (1640 feet) above sea level, around 400 m higher than Hettipola. It's noticably cooler than in the nearby plains.
Most of the year, the weather is dry, particularly in August. Wind gusts can be strong in this region.
Most of the year, the weather is dry, particularly in August. Wind gusts can be strong in this region.
Location of Narangamuwa
From the Guruwela junction at the B312 road, which leads from Naula via Elahera to Hettipola, Narangamuwa is at the end of a 6.5 km (4 miles) dead-end road. The road distance from Dambulla in the north-northwest to Narangamuwa is 68 km (42 miles), from Mahiyangana in the southeast 51 km (32 miles). For those arriving from Kandy there three options. The shortest but roughest road is via Riverston and takes 99 km (62 miles). The much easier alternative via Naula (between Matale and Dambulla) is 113 km (70 miles) long. The eastern route via Hasalaka and Hettipola is 117 km (73 miles) long
As said, walking distance to Meemure in the center of Knuckles Range is only 7 km (4 miles). However, there is no direct route between Narangamuwa and Meemure passable for vehicles. Rather, vehicles have to take the road via Hasalaka, which is 106 km (66 miles) long.
As said, walking distance to Meemure in the center of Knuckles Range is only 7 km (4 miles). However, there is no direct route between Narangamuwa and Meemure passable for vehicles. Rather, vehicles have to take the road via Hasalaka, which is 106 km (66 miles) long.
