Famed the world over as a visual treasure trove for avid hikers, trekkers and bush walkers the breathtaking island is crisscrossed with many a hiking trail that delves deep in to the country’s cultural identity, its historical legacy as well as its natural wonders.
Nature lovers heading to the island have a plethora of walking tours at their disposal as the island’s diverse geographical features leaves little to the imagination when it comes to captivating landscapes and bountiful natural reserves. The hill capital of Kandy offers a number of treks to engage the wild child in each of us and one such trail is laid across the Udawattakelle Forest Reserve while the aptly named Walkers Forest also offers visitors a hike across breathtaking terrain surrounded by hills. The Hantane Trek on the other hand has a bit of culture thrown in to the mix as walkers can visit the ancient temples of Lankathilaka, Embekke and Gadaladeniya on the hike. The western quarters of Kandy is known for the Portuguese War Route trail which takes walkers through to Dodanwala Devale Hindu shrine passing Alagalle Mountain, lush forests, rustic Kandyan villages and verdant tea estates.
The Knuckles Mountain Range is also a dream come true for mountaineering and walking enthusiasts as it is littered with trails and camp sites set up by the country’s Forest Department. Highlights include the Knuckles summit trail, Pitawala Pathena trail, the Mini Worlds End trails, Nitre Cave trail and the Ash Cave trail which cut across footpaths used by cardamom growers, villagers, tea planters and toddy tapers.
Waterfall enthusiasts can feast their eyes on the liquid cascades they encounter on the Rathna Waterfall Trek. The Lamasuriyagama Royal Rice Field Trek is equally captivating as is the Loggaloya riverine forest trail leading to the Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe sanctuary.
Nuwara Eliya district’s Horton Plains is another hotbed of activity for avid trekkers as this wondrous environment among the clouds is infested with lush plains, rare flora and fauna as well as the island’s most stunning precipice cum lookout point.
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle also packs in engaging hiking trails among which the treks across Pink Quartz Mountain, Ritigala Hill and Pidurangala Rock reign supreme.