Rangala Natural Pool, also named after the nearest village, Galabadawaththa, is a beautiful natural pond for bathing and swimming, with several picnic spots along the river known as Kotaganga, which is a tributary of the Huluganga. Immediately above the outlet of the Rangala Natural Pool is a small bridge. The Kotaganga has smooth river banks downstream, that's why the natural pool can best be advanced by walking down to the river on that side of the bridge and then taking the tunnel below the bridge to reach the pool which is framed by steep cliffs on the other three sides. Further upstream are several small waterfalls. Also some more natural pools between boulders can be found along this stream.
The Rangala Natural Pool, though rarely visited by foreigners, got some popularity due to social media attention in 2017. Ever since, Rangala Natural Pool is well known as a weekend holiday destination among native Sri Lankans, the pool is much appreciated for its crystal clear waters. Please note that bathing here is dangerous for non-swimmers. The reason is the underground, which is a slope so that the water level is soon more than sholder high after only a very few meters and then a sudden drop to lose ground below the feet. Close the mini waterfall gushing into the pool at its far end, it has a depth of almost 10 meters (30 feet). 4 fatal accidents are reported to have occured between 2017 and 2023. A board near the bridge warns people not to bathe here. Another risk in this small canyoning environment is that the flow of the water can change rapidly after heavy rainfall in the catchment regions that cannot be seen from this side of Knuckles Range.
The Rangala Natural Pool, though rarely visited by foreigners, got some popularity due to social media attention in 2017. Ever since, Rangala Natural Pool is well known as a weekend holiday destination among native Sri Lankans, the pool is much appreciated for its crystal clear waters. Please note that bathing here is dangerous for non-swimmers. The reason is the underground, which is a slope so that the water level is soon more than sholder high after only a very few meters and then a sudden drop to lose ground below the feet. Close the mini waterfall gushing into the pool at its far end, it has a depth of almost 10 meters (30 feet). 4 fatal accidents are reported to have occured between 2017 and 2023. A board near the bridge warns people not to bathe here. Another risk in this small canyoning environment is that the flow of the water can change rapidly after heavy rainfall in the catchment regions that cannot be seen from this side of Knuckles Range.
The Galabadawaththa alias Rangala Natural Pool is situated to the north of Teldeniya, halfway between the villages of Rangala and Gomara, which are the two main trekking starting points at the western slopes of Knuckles Range, whereas the other bases of trekking expeditions are Meemure to the east and Riverston to the north.
The road distance from Rangala is 9 km (6 miles), whereas Gomara is 8 km (5 miles) further north. Driving distance from Kandy via Orutota at Victoria Reservoir is 42 km (26 miles).
The road distance from Rangala is 9 km (6 miles), whereas Gomara is 8 km (5 miles) further north. Driving distance from Kandy via Orutota at Victoria Reservoir is 42 km (26 miles).