When someone thinks about Hiking and trekking in Sri Lanka, the first thing comes to mind is Knuckles mountain range. Knuckles range or the massif is a collection of 34 main mountain peaks. It provides a huge variety of bio diversity across the 3 districts in Sri lanka. When talking about the knuckles, there are few main entry points to the range. Riverstern, Bambarella, Thangappuwa, Coberts gap, kalugala can be recognized as few of the main entry points. This mountain range Knuckles (Dumbara mountain range) has been named as knuckles because it looks like a clenched fist. Originally it has been called as dumbara mountain range because of the Misty surrounding of the range. This clenched fist or the five peaks of knuckles has become one of the famous treks between trekkers. This post will provide you the essential tips to do the five peaks treks within one day.
How to reach
There are most common two ways to do this trek. 1
st and easiest one is starting from the bambarella and the other one is starting the trek from thangappuwa. 1
st option (bambarella) is the easiest and most common one to do the trek. There are two ways to reach Bambarella as well. Reaching via Panwila is little bit rough when comparing to the Wattegama road due to the road condition.
- Kandy >Panwila>Bambarella>5Peaks
- Kandy>Wattegama> Panwila>Bambarella>5Peaks
Mode of Transportation
- By Bikes – We recommend this is the best way to reach since you can reach upto trail head by bikes.
- By Car or any other private vehicle. Road Condition is little bit bad after passing Panwila. Things getting worst right after passing the Bambarella Bridge. If you travel by a car or a vehicle with low deck, we recommend parking the vehicle at bambarella and walking up through the tea estate towards trail head. (villagers will show you the way) But you have to walk another 1h to reach the trail head.
- By public Transport – There are busses to bambarella from Kandy. Or you can take a Wattegama bus from Kandy and then catch a bambarella bus from wattegama. But you can’t rely on the time table of the Bambarella bus. Then again you have to walk that extra 1km through the tea estates until you reach the trail head.
You can always ask directions from the Villegers since there are houses until you reach the trail head. Keep the land mark in your mind “Water factory” (wathura factory – According to locals). If you are not going walk through the tea estates to reach the trailhead, passing so called water factory is the best way to reach the trail head by any vehicle. Trail head is 1km away from the water factory.
Permission
As I got to know this trek requires prior permission (Have to buy tickets). But there is no any ticket counter at the location. If you want to buy a ticket better buy it from the wattegama Wildlife rage office.
Best Season
We did this on a 31
st of December. It was a rainy season. But luckily it didn’t rain. Best season for the trek is February. Use leach protections if you are travelling in a rainy season
Tips
- Use leach protections
- Carry enough water since there are no any proper water source right after you pass the knuckles falls (2L per Person. If you are planning to do camping you might require more)
- Consider about the mist and rainy conditions. Although there is a noticeable footpath up until the 2nd You can easily get lost right after the 3rd peak in a misty condition.
When you walk around 10-15m after starting the trek from trail head, you will come across a water stream. If you take the left path it will direct you to the five peaks. If you walk 5 meters along the right side foot path you can see the small but amazing knuckle falls. Then you can start the trek again. It will be a steep ascend. So take the breaks according to your fitness level. Before reaching the 1
st peak there is only one place where you can lose your way. You will come across a 3way junction. Left one leads to the 1
st peak where the right side turn will lead you to the thangappuwa (Alugallena). That is the other entry points to the knuckles 5 peaks as we have mentioned at the beginning. SO keep the left until you reach the 1
st peak. First peak had only a small view point (Window like) and there was a cleared area which was used for camping. Second peak seems to be the highest point with a rocky summit. This is kind of a touristic trek. We met more than 15 foreign trekkers and also we did the trek with a German friend. We met him during the trek but we completed the 5 peaks together. Most of the trekkers going up until the 2
nd peak, But sincerely best view comes after the 3
rd peak. Trek with a time frame. You might get lost if it gets darker or if the mist covers the way. On your return journey don’t forget to dip in the knuckles falls. It’s really a relaxing experience.
Enjoy the journey. Please minimize plastic and polythene. And try to bring at least one plastic bottle back those have left there by the irresponsible travelers. Be the responsible traveler who saves the planet earth. Travel with less number of people. It will increase your experience and satisfaction as well as it will reduce the bad effects on environmental system.
Check the video on backpackers Sri Lanka Youtube Channel –
