Beginner hiking destinations in Sri Lanka

Check these Beginner hiking destinations in Sri Lanka before you plan your next adventure.  So here we go..Guests are more than welcome to add their own hiking destinations to the list :).

1). Maligatenna

Located outside of the Colombo city limits, an hour  from its center, the Maligathenna Rock Cave Temple is a forest hermitage located at the highest point within the Gampaha District. This is one of the many cave temples linked with king Walagamba (Vattagamini Abhaya). The king, who lived in the 1st century BC, had to escape and to hide when South Indian invaders captured the capital Anuradhapura.

A one-hour trip (one way) from Colombo is really worth it, in combination with the nearby rock monasteries of Pilikuttuwa, Varana and Pettigangala it will be one of the perfect beginner hiking destinations for all the young newbie hikers. And if you are into rock climbing, there are plenty of good boulders through out the area as well.

Route :

Colombo -> Yakkala (via Colombo – Kandy road)

Travel 1Km on Yakkala- Kiridiwela road and from battagolla ‘Y’ junction turn to the Right. Then travel 1km and turn left and reach Pilikuththuwa. Take the road to the Left from Battagolla come across Koskandewela. Then take the Ambagaspitiya road to the right and this will leads you to Maligatenne temple entrace. (check google map here)

2). Bathalegala / Bible Rock

If you have whole  day to spare for a mountain hike, and you are fit enough to take the challenge of a 4-5 hours continues hike through  the steep slops of a huge rock, Bathalegala is the ideal destination for you. This rock is situated  in Kegalle District in central Sri Lanka. British called it “Bible rock” as its surface forms the shape of a book/bible. Due to this flat top, it resembles the famous Sigiriya citadel located more north of it as well.

Notes :

• Do not stay in the top (specially in the open areas) if the wind condition is getting high.
• Avoid the mountain during the rainy seasons.
• Take at least 2L of water for drinking.
• Use the abundant temple house if you got stuck in the rain.
• Both private and public transport can be used.
• Even this is a Beginner hiking destinations in Sri Lanka , due to the weather and the route you might find this bit challenging during the rainy and misty days.

Route :

Colombo -> Mawanella -> Gewilipitiya -> Hathgampala -> Bible rock.

3). Alagalla / Potato Range

An ideal climbing destination for individuals who loves to have an amazing sri lankan hill country train ride followed by an adventurous hike and a short vertical climb in a weekend. This can be marked in your TODO as an one day trip and most probably you will be back in colombo by 6-7 p.m in the same day. Here is something i got from Wikipedia.

……After a train ride from Colombo or Kandy trekking can be started at Ihalakotte railway station passing a mysterious climb through the Ihalakotte village. On the walk up leads a small foot path which branches off downwards through the jungle on the left. There is a 30 m (98 ft) high waterfall (Dekinda Fall) served by the Alagalla forest reserve, which is hidden in the jungle……

Routes :

By Train
Colombo -> Ihala Kotte-> Dekinda Ella -> Poththepitiya-> Alagalla

By Bus
Colombo -> Mawanella -> Kadugannawa -> Poththapitiya -> Alagalla

Notes : 

• Keep your private water tank ready (2l)
• Avoid rainy days (the climbing part of the final steps might be risky)
• Leeches are common in the route.
• Start a early as possible, so you will have enough time to enjoy the views.

Finally, I hope you will add these 3 Beginner hiking destinations in Sri Lanka to your bucket list after reading this.