The Top Five Mountains in Sri Lanka For Trekking – Unforgettable and Amazing Ascents!

One of the most well-known and frequented mountains on the island, Adam's Peak is popular amongst locals since it has religious significance too, especially amongst Buddhist devotees. Also known as “Sri Pada”, this conical mountain towers to a height of around 2,243 metres and offers a challenging climb via various routes. In Sri Lanka, trekking holidays would not be complete without making the ascent up this mountain to catch a glorious sunrise at its summit; suffice to say the vistas will take your breath away! Tip; the Hatton trail is relatively shorter, while do remember to wear warm clothing since it gets quite cold at night and early morning.

Offering a much easier trek than the one at Adam's Peak, Pidurangala is more of a large rock than a mountain. It can be found across from another famous rock, Sigiriya, and has become quite popular in recent times. The journey to the top takes around 20 to 30 minutes (depending on your level of fitness) though there is one section where you will have to scramble over (or under!) rocks in order to reach the top. On your journey, you will also pass sacred sites as well as a reclining Buddha statue. The views of Sigiriya that await at the summit are spellbinding, particularly at sunrise or sunset.

A range of mountains than just one, the Knuckles Range is part of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So named because it resembles the knuckles of a clenched fist, this range of mountains has several peaks to climb; tour specialists the likes of Nature Odyssey do offer guided trekking tours to these peaks which are ideal since you can benefit from some local expertise too. From cloud forests to diverse wildlife, there’s much to see on treks through these enchanting mountains.

The country’s second-highest peak, Kirigalpoththa is another mountain ideal for those looking for a memorable trek. It can be found set amidst the idyllic environs of Horton Plains and rises to a height of 2,388 metres. As you make your ascent, you will come across everything from cloud forests to steep rocks which can be challenging to navigate if rains descend. For those who persevere till the top however, breathtaking panoramas await.

The 1,140-metre tall Alagalla Mountain range, in fact, translates to “Potato Range / Rock” due to a rock at the summit that has a potato-like shape! Easy to access from the Ihalakotte Railway Station, this mountain has both grassy plains and thick forest cover in certain parts and is ideal for experienced trekkers. Those who reach the summit can look forward to stunning views of the surrounding mountains including Bible Rock (Bathalegala) as well as the Knuckles and Hanthana mountain ranges.