Joanna James
As you start your holiday wanting to relax and slow down from the usual pace of life, it is also a time for experiencing nature in all its glory, the environs within and around Kandy provide a plethora of hiking trails which are both exhilarating and awesome experiences.
This scenic trail of approximately 12 km is moderately challenging and takes about 3 to 4 hours. Commencing at the Ceylon Tea Museum on Hantana Estate, which is a convenient location from many Kandy hotels, you go through the terrain of Hantana with its fantastic mountain range with seven peaks and having been used as backdrops for movies like Indiana Jones and Temple of doom. Your guide will point these out to you as well as many other unique buildings of interest as you ascend to an elevation gain of 383 m. On the descent towards Galaha watch a serene statue of Lord Buddha, cross a river and a few villages offering you a glimpse of village life and their friendly grins as you end the hike at the Galaha post office.
This trail is in the famous Knuckles Mountain range, which is a world heritage conservation area, even before you commence the hike you are treated to the majestic Knuckles Range against the sky and picturesque streams in the vicinity as you drive up there. The terrain of the hike is beautiful and beholds fauna and flora endemic to the region providing a treat for your senses. Pitawala Pathana itself is a flat and grassy expanse of 24 acres which ends with a drop of several hundred metres earning the name mini world's end and drawing hikers such as those staying at Amaya Hills to gape at the sheer drop.
Hiking to this rock fortress which is declared a UNESCO world heritage site is an awesome experience as it is also the eighth wonder in the world. It was the palace and haven of King Kasyapa, you would witness signs of technical skills and architectural innovation possessed by the ancient people of the era. A climb of 200 metres is also worth your effort as you can also see the glorious sunrise or the magnificent sunset if you time the hike accordingly.
Named after the Scottish Tea Planter James Taylor, who introduced tea to Sri Lanka while the island was colonized by the British, this rock seat is on Loolecondera Estate in Delthota in the district of Kandy. Apart from enjoying the natural beauty of the estate itself, and observing the plantation workers, once you complete the hike to the seat, you are treated to a panoramic view of the scenic surroundings.
Hasalaka town in the Kandy district is famous due to these shimmering curtains of water of Rathna Ella or also known as Navarathna Ella. Falling from a height of 111 metres from the famous Knuckles Range, many visitors are attracted to hike from Hasalaka along a stream to the waterfall on the way be fascinated with the lush paddy fields which are also irrigated by this natural wonder of the Rathna Ella.
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