Horton Plains (Maha-Eliya) - Heaven on Earth, 2100m Above Sea Level | Wildlife and Nature Attractions of Sri Lanka 07

Horton Plains is a unique natural attraction in Sri Lanka. It is located in the highest plateau of the country and its known for its beautiful landscapes and rare plant and animal life. The Horton plains is one of the most important catchment areas in Sri Lanka which acts as a giant sponge which store rain water and then feed several major rivers of the country through out the year. The vegetation mainly consists of wet grass lands and montane forest. The weather at Horton Plains is quite Dynamic. Average temperature varies between 5 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celsius.

Getting There

Main entrance to Horton Plains National Park and the visitor center is located on the Ohiya – Pattipola road. There are two ticket offices at Ohiya side and Pattipola side of this road. View Google Earth Trail Map

Access By Road

Route1: Colombo -> Awissawella [58km on A4] -> Ginigathhena [53km on A7] -> Hatton [13km on A7] -> Thalawakele [17km on A7] -> Nanu-Oya [17km on A7] -> Black Pool [4km on A7] -> Ambewela [10km] -> Pattipola [6km] -> Pattipola Entrance [5km] –> Horton Plains National Park Visitor Center [5km]
Total Distance 185 km

Route2: Nuwara Eliya -> Black Pool [6km on A5 & A7] -> Ambewela [10km] -> Pattipola [6km] -> Pattipola Entrance [5km] –> Horton Plains National Park Visitor Center [5km]

Total Distance 27km

Route3: Bandarawela -> Boralanda (Via Hputale or Diyathalawa) -> Ohiya [13km] -> Ohiya Entrance [5km] -> Horton Plains National Park Visitor Center [5km] | Discussion: Horton Plains via Boralanda on Lakdasun Forum

Public Transport in only available up to Pattipola and Ohiya.

Access By Train On Colombo – Badulla line, get down either at Pattipola or Ohiya Railway station. The road connecting these two towns goes through the Horton plains and its visitor center is just 10km from both Pattipola and Ohiya.

A 4WD Trail You can drive a 4WD drive from Kalupahana on Colombo – Badulla highway up to Horton Plains [24km from Kalupahana].

Hiking from Belihuloya You can hike up to Hortan Plains from Belihul-Oya on Colombo – Badulla Highway [9km from Galagama] or hike up to Horton Plains from Dayagama Estate, Agarapathana [5.6km from the estate border]

Weather and Season

December to February	Temperatures are fairly low. Less chance of rain. Good time to visit Horton Plains.
March to May	Not too cold. Flowers bloom all over the plains. Less chance of rain. Best time to visit Horton Plains.
June to September	Strong winds. Less chance of Rain.
September to November	High possibility of Rain.

Attractions and activities

Beautiful Landscapes – The main attraction of the park is the beautiful landscapes it posses. Rolling hills, endless grass lands with tiny wildflowers, clean streams flowing through valleys, waterfalls and the scattered forest patches create endless diversity in landscapes. The dynamic whether, mist and sunlight makes is even more interesting and beautiful.
Hiking: Horton plain is one of the most interesting hiking destinations in Sri Lanka. The popular hikes include Climbing Kirigalpoththa mountain second highest summit in Sri Lanka, Climbing Thotupola mountain the third highest in the island and World’s end, bakers falls circuit which cover the most popular attractions of the park.
Camping: Camping at Horton Plains gives you the best opportunity to witness the true beauty of the park at dawn and dusk.
Bird’s and other fauna / flora: A Horton plain is home to some of the rarest animals found in Sri Lanka. If you pay close attention you will be able to spot some of them and if you are really lucky you may even be able to see a “Leopard”.

View Google Earth Trail Map

Accommodation Options

Horton plain is just 30km from Nuwara-Eliya and 40km from Bandarawela. There are plenty of accommodation options available in these two town.

Following are options even closer to Horton Plains;

Maha-Eliya Department of Wildlife bungalow (Inside Horton Plains)
Ginihiriya Department of Wildlife bungalow (Inside Horton Plains)
Camp Sites of Wildlife Department (Inside Horton Plains)
Forest Department Dormitory at Ohiya (9km to visitor center)
Forest Department Bungalow at Kande-Ela (20km to visitor Center)

Look for more accommodation options in this area at Lakdasun forum accommodation options board

Notes, Tips and Special Remarks

Horton Plains is a strict “no polythene”, “no open flames” zone. You are not allowed to carry any plastic bags, sheets, lighters or match boxes. Pack your snacks in airtight boxes if you want to take them along with you.
Camp fires are NOT allowed inside the park. Please carry Gas/Kerosene burners.

Image Gallery

Misty Landscapes – Horton Plains coming out of the veil of mist as first rays of the day falls on the wet and cool grasses and the forest patches.

World’s end and the Baker’s falls. The two most poplar attractions in the park. World’s end is a 2000m drop at the abrupt end of the highest plateau of Sri Lanka.

Big, small and missing: Horton Plains is home to many species of animals and plants, for some, it’s the only home in the world. Sambar dear pictured right is the largest mammal living there today. Majestic elephants once roamed Horton plains had been hunted to extinction by the heartless and irresponsible British rulers of the 18th century.

A herd of sambar deer photographed against the back drop of misty grass lands at Horton Plains around 6.30 in the morning

The beauty of the vast plains is always enhanced by these little beauties. A vast variety of tiny wildflowers like the once pictured here scatter the grass lands at Horton plains making it look like a colourful blanket. The best time to see flowers is around April / May but there are many species that bloom year around

Kirigalpoththa, the second heights mountain in Sri Lanka is situated in Horton plains. Hiking to the summit of Kirigalpoththa will let you enjoy these breath-taking views of Horton Plains.

Trees and plants contribute immensely to the beauty of this special place as this lonely tree adding life to the serene plain and the grass bushes with glistening flowers creating a magical feeling in a cold morning

While it appears to be “Too Cold” for this little bird, the furry giant squirrel looks all warm and comfortable.

Belihul-Oya one of the main tributaries of Walawe River starts from Horton Plains and winds through it valleys creating beautiful scenery such as the “Chimney Pool” pictured above (left). Natural springs scattered in the grass land, as the one pictured on the right, feed three out of four main rivers of Sri Lanka. Some of these springs can be see on the Kirigalpoththa Trail.

Have you seen “Dancing Light”? As the first rays of the day falls on the thick mist, amber light dances over the white mist and create heavenly landscapes such as this which changes almost every second.

Can man be part of this unique eco system? Yes, if you set up a camp and get close to nature without disturbing it you will sure be a part of it but feeding wild animals is a bad habit, it upsets its natural behavior and makes the creature dependent and vulnerable to predators.

Rolling hills and endless grass lands with a touch of sun light