Joanna James
Sri Lanka is blessed with natural wonders. Hikers and trekkers have much to look forward here from easy walks to intense trails. Here are some of the top hiking and trekking trails of Lanka.
Its Pilgrims that usually do a hike up to Adam's Peak but it's popular among others too. You need to pass 5200 steps to climb up to the peak. Many people climb at night so that they can enjoy the sunrise at the peak. The best time to hike at Adam's Peak is from November to May. If you are new to the country it's best to go on Sri Lanka guided tours with a company such as Cinnamon Nature Trails.
Spread over the southern ridge of the central highlands, it is easily accessible from the town of Nuwara Eliya. The Horton Plains comprise of a highland plateau, which is beautiful, quiet and excellent for trekking. The Plains rise to 2000m high and is covered with wild grass interspersed with thick forestry, waterfalls, and rocks. The World's End is the famous escarpment at the Plains, a fall from which will leave you 900 meters below. The view from here is magnificent, however, the eternally prevalent mist makes it difficult to see properly. On a clear morning, the view from the World's End is mind-blowing!
Belihuloya is a beautiful little hamlet in the Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka well known for its eco-tourism opportunities. Located on an interim of climates within the dry and wet zones, it is one of the richest biodiversity spots in the country. There are five significant waterfalls near this charming village and plenty of lush vegetation and forestry. The Samanalawewa trekking trail leads to the Belihuloya area closer to the river. You can also trek through the pathana grasslands and this trek takes up to 2.5 hours to complete.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Sinharaja Forest is a national park rich in biodiversity. The name Sinharaja translates to Kingdom of the Lion and it is the only virgin rainforest in the country. The trek through the dense forest intertwined with shrubs, vines, woody climbers and trees – it is one of the best in the country. In comparison to the other reserves in the world, Sinharaja is not so big however it is truly a fortune in terms of natural resources. You find endemic species including trees, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. The number of elephants and leopards seen here are less than in other national parks in the country however the purple-faced langurs make up for that. Bird watching is popular at the reserve since out of the 26 endemic birds in the country, 20 are found here. A variety of reptiles can be seen here including the Green Pit Viper and Hump Nosed Vipers. One thing you need to watch out for is the clingy leeches!
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