It’s the 2nd Highest and Highest hiking destination in Sri Lanka [2,388 m (7,835 ft.)]. Since Piduruthalagala (Highest Mountain in Sri Lanka) can be reached only by vehicle (with Prier Permission) Kirigalpotta has become the highest hiking destination in Sri Lanka.
Kirigalpotta Trekking trail starts from the Horton Plains National Park and the Entrance point of the Horton Plains national Park can be reached via two different ways.
1st by train
- If you are travelling from Colombo, you can take the Badulla train from Fort railway station and you have to get off from the Pattipola railway station. Horton plains ticketing counter has located 5.5km away from the Pattipola Railway station. From ticketing counter to Starting point of the trek there will be another 4.7 km. Total distance from Pattipola station to starting point of the trek will be around 10 km. It’s possible to pic a three wheeler or a van to cover this distance from Pattipola station also possible to do it by foot on your preference but 1st option is recommended since the 2nd option consumes your valuable time. Spare the time to enjoy the amazing hike.
- Also you can get off from ohiya and follow the same procedure since the distances almost the same. Below map shows the distance guide from the both stations (Pattipola and ohiya.)
2nd By Bus
- You can take the Nuwara eliya Bus from pettah bus station and get off from Nuwara eliya. There are few busses operating from Nuwara eliya to pattipola and Nuwara eliya to Ambewela. Then the Rest of the journey would be same as the 1st But I recommend the 1st Option (Travel by Train) since the above mentioned two bus services are not reliable. Better go there by Train. It will save your time and money.
Fort to Pattipola Train schedule I have mentioned below with reaching time to pattipola for you convenience when you are planning your hike to kirigalpotta.
Once you reach Hortain Plains Park you have to start the trek from the Park bungalow side. From there it’s exactly 7km trek up to the peak. But it will take only 3-4 hours if there’s supportive weather condition. Story will be different with bad weather or Mist. So be prepared for any kind of situation in this amazing trek. Don’t carry plastic and polythene. I have mentioned below few land marks with my photos. Make sure you pass all of those, and then you won’t miss your target even in a mist or bad weather situation. Enjoy the journey. Save this amazing and beautiful location for future trekkers as well. Be a responsible traveller while you are enjoying the nature. Thanks for reading.
