Exploring the Knuckles Mountain Range

For adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts, Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Mountain Range offers a trekking experience like no other. Nestled in the central highlands of the island nation, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Breathtaking Scenery

As you embark on your trek in the Knuckles, prepare to be captivated by the stunning scenery. The range is named after its series of peaks that resemble a clenched fist. Lush green forests, cascading waterfalls, and mist-covered valleys create a dramatic backdrop. You can see this picturesque mountain range from hotels in the area such as Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy.

Varied Terrain

The Knuckles offer a range of trekking options, from gentle walks to challenging hikes. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trekker, there’s a trail for you. The terrain includes rugged paths, dense forests, and river crossings, ensuring an adventure suitable for your fitness level.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity
Image via Wikimedia Commons – Isuru Shashintha Wijesinghe, Dumbara falls in knuckles mountain range, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Knuckles Mountain Range is a biodiversity hotspot. During your trek, you’ll encounter a diverse array of flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for colourful bird species, elusive leopards, and unique plant species found nowhere else on Earth. Trekking in Kandy is especially famous for the vibrant biodiversity one can encounter.

Cultural Encounters

The area surrounding the Knuckles is home to indigenous communities. Interact with locals and gain insight into their way of life. You may even have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional meal, adding a cultural dimension to your trekking adventure.

Victoria Nature Treks

Seek the bounty of treasures within these vistas of different shades of green by following the nature trails to delight your nature lover instincts.

Trail
Trail | Img via Unsplash

Crown jewel of Mahaweli

Offering an amazing view, the Victoria Dam and reservoir are indeed precious to the island providing the largest hydropower generation to the nation, the environs of this beautiful water body is a nature lovers delight and a favourite site to visit from your hotel in Kandy Sri Lanka.

Inviting fauna and flora

The trekking spaces are home to a variety of wildlife inviting you to catch a glimpse of them. Three distinct species of deer, a plethora of mongooses, over a hundred different species of avifauna, the porcupines and the master anglers, the fishing cats to name a few.

Araliya Trail

Soak in the beauty of the environs of the Victoria Golf Course, not too far from Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy. Try this short trek of roughly two hours. Trek on the outer ring of the golf course into a smaller forest area, emerge to a clearing featuring a viewpoint named “Araliya Deck”. Gaze at the panoramic view.

Mahaweli Trail

A longer trail up to three hours along a river branch of the reservoir. Listen to the gurgling of water, the rustle of the leaves, birds chirping and to crown this tranquil atmosphere, a view of wildlife to feast your eyes.

 

Unusual Things to Do in Kandy

Kandy is one of the most amazing places to visit in Sri Lanka and is known as the cultural capital of the country. Here are a few things you can try out to experience the city better.

Image credit- Unsplash,
Kirsty barnby,CC0

Visit the Temple of The Tooth Relic

Yes, this is the most iconic attraction here and it doesn’t really seem like an unusual thing to do. But ever thought of visiting in the evening? There are special rituals being carried out on some days after dusk, so you can inquire with your hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka before your visit.

Visit a spice garden

Ask around and you’ll find your way easily to the spice garden. It is usually one of the free things to do here in Kandy. You will come across plants like vanilla, cocoa, citronella, turmeric and much more.

Take the train to Ella

So, one of the most scenic train rides in the world would be the ride from Kandy to Ella. Try your best to hitch a ride and check out Ella as well.

Visit a gushing waterfall

If you stay at a hotel like Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy, the sound of the water will reach your ears no sooner you step out. Go on a tour and explore this wonder of nature, Hunas Falls.

Best Cycling Excursions In Kandy

When you are visiting the city of Kandy in the central hills of Sri Lanka, you might consider traversing it by bicycle. There is so much to explore in this city so let’s take a look at the best five tours for you.

Cycling
Cycling | Img via Pxfuel

Along Colonial Footprint

Start outside the city and cycle in. Balana Pass is one of the most important royal outposts that managed to keep the colonial powers away from the Kandyan kingdom for centuries.

Tea by Bicycle

You could explore the tea estates that surround the Kandyan plateau while staying in hotels the likes of Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy. It is a hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka that is surrounded by tea plantations and waterfalls.

Cycling in the Knuckles

The Knuckles Mountain Range called so due to its distinct shape is a great mountain to explore on a bike. But be aware that it can be quite strenuous.

Round the Kandy Lake

The easiest yet very picturesque ride is a bike ride around Kandy Lake. Made by the last king Sri Vickrama Rajasinghe, the lake is set right in the city centre and shrouded by gigantic trees.

The City by Night

The city empties in the evening and by night is very beautiful but starkly different from Kandy by day.