Uda Pathana - unknown viewpoint to Meemure Lakegala
Even most of those travelers who know Knuckles Range otherwise pretty well have never visited Uda Pathana, though it's one of the four best higher-elevation view points to Lakegala, the iconic backyard mountain of Meemure. The three other high viewpoints are Mathalagala not far away from Uda Pathana and Atanwale just at the opposite side of the mountain of Lakegala and Appala Pathana alias Maratuwegala at the opposite side of the valley of Meemure. No viewpoint is closer to the spectacular rock than Uda Pathana. The imposing rock of Meemure Lakegale is in only 800 m (feet) distance from Uda Pathana, as the crow flies.
The reason why the amazing vantage point is nonetheless almost unknown to hikers is simply that there is no path to reach this small open grassland on the crest of a hill and that therefore it's not easy to find the place and a machete is required to cut across to the view point, as the the forest is a fast-growing dense thicket in parts and very thorny. However, with the help of a guide you can manage to reach Uda Pathana, because there is good news, too: The tip of the hill is in only 300 m (1000 feet) distance from the pass that is crossed by the footpath from Meemure to Narangamuwa. Walking from the village of Meemure to the said pass takes around 1 hour or a little bit longer for the 2.5 km (1.5 miles) long uphill trail. The distance from the pass to Narangamuwa is 4.5 km (2.8 miles). Walking distance from the pass to the neighbouring crest of Mathalagala alias Dewalagala Plains is 2.7 km (1.7 miles). The pass is in an altitude of about 760 m (1500 feet) above sea level, whereas the starting point at the bridge near the Bo-tree of Meemure is in an elevation of 385 m (1260 feet). As the crest of Uda Pathana is at an altitude of 793 m (2602 feet), it surmounts the valley of Meemure by more than 400 m (1300 feet).
The reason why the amazing vantage point is nonetheless almost unknown to hikers is simply that there is no path to reach this small open grassland on the crest of a hill and that therefore it's not easy to find the place and a machete is required to cut across to the view point, as the the forest is a fast-growing dense thicket in parts and very thorny. However, with the help of a guide you can manage to reach Uda Pathana, because there is good news, too: The tip of the hill is in only 300 m (1000 feet) distance from the pass that is crossed by the footpath from Meemure to Narangamuwa. Walking from the village of Meemure to the said pass takes around 1 hour or a little bit longer for the 2.5 km (1.5 miles) long uphill trail. The distance from the pass to Narangamuwa is 4.5 km (2.8 miles). Walking distance from the pass to the neighbouring crest of Mathalagala alias Dewalagala Plains is 2.7 km (1.7 miles). The pass is in an altitude of about 760 m (1500 feet) above sea level, whereas the starting point at the bridge near the Bo-tree of Meemure is in an elevation of 385 m (1260 feet). As the crest of Uda Pathana is at an altitude of 793 m (2602 feet), it surmounts the valley of Meemure by more than 400 m (1300 feet).
"Uda Pathana" simply means "high grassland". And this is an apt description of what Uda Pathana actually is. Though only a small area of grassland, this open area on the summit of the hill is a clearing large enough to offer the perfect view to the cliff of Lakegala rising from the dense green forests of Knuckles Range.
