Joanna James
The island nation of Sri Lanka is home to numerous hiking trails and camping sites that boast of immense natural beauty.
The Horton Plains National Park is home to a number of startlingly beautiful trails that would thrill any hiking enthusiast. Smattered with patches of forests, grasslands and streams, there are several routes one can take when in the plains. The highlights of the park undoubtedly include World's End and the Baker's Falls.
The small village of Meemure, nestled within the Knuckles Mountain Range, is a hidden gem discovered by few due to the difficulty in accessing the village. Meemure is around 175 kilometres from the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, and is at least a two and a half hour drive away from Kandy. Since the road to reach Meemure, the Hunnasgiriya – Meemure Road, winds through the mountains, it has not been redone in several years, causing the asphalt to break in most places, thus creating an unstable and broken surface. Nearly inaccessible during the rainy season, the small village of Meemure, however, is a gold mine of hiking and trekking trails as well as campsites. In order to access the village, one can drive through Kandy or take the road that runs through Kurunegala. Those who are pressed for time can opt for air taxi tours in Sri Lanka, and take a local air taxi such as Cinnamon Air to Kandy and then make the three hour drive to Meemure. The village is nestled in a valley and is certainly worth the visit.
A site of religious significance, the Adams Peak trek is a must-do if one is exploring the island of Sri Lanka. A trek to Adams Peak is best commenced in the night, and there are a number of different trails one can take in order to make the ascent. Depending on difficulty and the time spent, one can choose the most sensible and suitable trail. If you opt to make the trek in the night, you may be able to make the summit just in time for sunrise.
The Knuckles Mountain Range is an infamous holiday destination in Sri Lanka, especially for hiking and camping enthusiasts. Scatted across around 150 square kilometres replete with forests, flora and fauna, the mountains offer numerous experiences to the avid trekker. These include waterfalls, streams, forests and grasslands.
The small town of Ella has garnered fame amongst backpackers, tourists and locals alike in the past few years. This mountainside destination is home to a number of hiking trails as well as some beautiful natural vistas. One of the most well-known treks is perhaps the trek to Little Adams Peak in Ella. From atop the peak, hikers can enjoy a stunning view of the Ella Gap as well as the undulating hills of the mountainside that fade into the distance. Another favoured trek when in Ella is the one involving the Nine Arches Bridge in Demodara. One can either opt to take the train to Demodara, get down and hike to Ella, or make the hike from Ella to see the Bridge. Often compared to the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland that features prominently in the Harry Potter movies, the Nine Arches Bridge has recently become one of the tourist hotspots in the hills.
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