Kanneliya Forest Reserve located in the Galle district is the largest of the KDN, or Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya, forest complex. Kanneliya is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse areas in the country (as well as in the world). The bio-diversity of Kanneliya is considered richer, even compared to the world heritage rain forest “sinharaja”.Most of Kanneliya today is a forest that had recovered from selective logging that had happened in1970s.  The water flows in the forest are now recovering with a numerous numbers of streams adding life to the diverse vegetation and some what hilly landscape. These streams create several beautiful cascades in side the forest. They also provide ideal opportunities for nice cool dip in some of the purest streams in the whole world!

Getting There

Weather and Season

Attractions and activities

1. Hiking: There are two main trails that takes you deep in to the forest. Kabbale mountain trail takes you up to a summit point from where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding. Trail to Narangas Ella goes deep in to the forest passing several points of interest such as the Giant Navada tree.
2. Natural Bath: Streams flowing through Kanneiya offers many opportunities to take a dip in clean, cool waters. Popular natural pools include the pool in front of the Kanneliya conservation center, the pool behind the conservation center and a natural pool behind the Kanneliya Forest resort.

View Google Earth Trail Map

Accommodation Options

The best option would be to stay at the forest department dormitory right at the entrance to the forest. also there are few private eco-lodges close to Kanneliya.

Because of its proximity to Galle, you can stay in Galle and drive to Kanneliya. It takes less than an hour form Galle to reach there.

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

Notes, Tips and Special Remarks

1. A forest department guide will always accompany you on your hikes.
2. Take only pictures, leave only foot prints
3. Water levels in the waterfalls will significantly go down during dry months. Therefore if you want to see them in full flow, time your visit just after rainy season
4. When it rains, some of the trails get infected with Leeches. Make sure that you are prepared. [Lear more about leech prevention]

Image Gallery
Panoramic view from the Kabbale hill. Trail to Kabbale is not too tough, and will let you enjoy the beauty of this forest first hand.
After a rain in the forest in the afternoon, the sun breaks in, crating a magical feeling. Not only when light filters through the wet trees, it is also interesting to see it lighting up the fallen leaves on the ground too.
Two, easy to reach attractions in the forest. The Anagimale falls is the easiest to reach. Just 2km from the gate on a broad trail, makes it very accessible.  Just 200m more on the main trail  from the Anagimale falls, lies the giant creeper.
The forest canopy is as beautiful and diverse as what lies below. Different shades of green decorate the canopy which will look stunning when sun shines after a light rain in the rain forest
The Beautiful Cascades of Anagimale falls. The streams have lost most of their water retaining capabilities due to de-forestation in 1970′s an therefore the true beauty of these waterfalls are rarely seen today. Situation is improving with the recovery of the forest but it is a living example to show how difficult it is to restore the delicate balance of nature once disturbed.
I have met people who complain that the places like “Kanneliya” are “boring” and “Nothing much to see”. Well the truth is that there are a plenty of wonders to see but we simply ignore them in a hurry.After a good walk in Kanneliya, I would be really surprised if some one haven’t seen a few creatures like the vine snake pictured here and a plenty of beautiful formations of nature such as this “fern on the boulder”
Two other attractions of Kanneliya. You need to venture little deeper in to the forest to see the Narangas Ella. THe giant Navada tree is located at a short detour from the same trail.
Water is synonymous with life. To the forest, streams add movement and create a sense of life. Water flowing in these streams are possibly the purest in the world with no contact with humans until they leave the forest.
The Gentle Flow: A closer look at the gentle flow of a stream. While the attempt to capture the rhythm of the flow has paid off,  the feeling will never be complete without the  charming sound the water makes when it sneaks through the boulders.
The forest department dormitory at Kanneliya – This is the best accommodation option, both economy wise as well as location wise

Getting There

Weather and Season

Attractions and activities

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Camping: Camping at Horton Plains gives you the best opportunity to witness the true beauty of the park at dawn and dusk.
4. 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;

1. Maha-Eliya Department of Wildlife bungalow (Inside Horton Plains)
2. Ginihiriya Department of Wildlife bungalow (Inside Horton Plains)
3. Camp Sites of Wildlife Department (Inside Horton Plains)
4. Forest Department Dormitory at Ohiya (9km to visitor center)
5. 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

1. 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.
2. 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

Knuckles mountain range, situated in the north-east of central hills in Sri Lanka, is one of the most important natural sites in the country. The vast mountain range consists of 34 peaks in total, with five peaks resembling the shape of a knuckle. The unique location of this mountain range places it in the path of both monsoons. Coupled with the presence of a large number of mountain peaks and valleys, the entire region is unbelievably diverse in terms of climate, terrain, vegetation and obviously, animal life.

One of the access routes available to explore this unique site is to enter the southern region of Knuckles from Hunassgiriya, the highest point of the Kandy – Mahiyanganaya road [A26]

Getting There

Weather and Season

Attractions and activities

1. Beautiful Landscapes - Just walking or driving along the Meemure road from Hunnasgiriya will give you an ample opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of the mighty Knuckles range from many different angles. Several special scenic locations worth mentioning are the Corbet’s Gap, Deanston, Kobonilla Village and Meemure Village. View Scenic locations in Google Earth Trail Map.
2. Hiking: Experiencing climate change as you walk. “Walking” through different “climate zones” may sound odd but that is something you can experience in Knuckles. Start from the high altitude of Corbett’s gap and walk up to Meemure village. This 15 km walk will take you though from cool, high-altitude climate to dry low altitude climate. You will be surprised to see the vegetation changing around you as you walk. Popular hiking trails in the area include Trail to Mini world’s end from Deanston, Trail to Dothalugala from Deanston, Trail to Nitro Caves from Corbtt’s Gap, Trail to Augallena cave via Thangappuwa from Corbett’s Gap, Trail to Kalupahana from “Meemure” village.
3. Camping:  There is a forest daprtment camp site at Dothalugala. Apart from that, there are many locations in the area where you can setup a nice camp blending with nature. Always speak to local people and inform them about your presence if you chose to camp near a village.
4. Natural Bath: Cool Bath in crystal clean waters of rivers and streams such as “Deanston falls at Dothalugala”, “Heen ganga at Kayikawela village”, “Meemure Oya” in Meemure village.

View Google Earth Trail Map

Accommodation Options

There is a forest department facility located at Deanston (8km from Hunassgiriya) where there is a basic forest lodge and a camp site.

You can also set up your own camp in one of the traditional villages.  Meemure Village and banks of Heen Ganga River at Kiyikawela are two such location.

There are a number of private Eco Lodges scattered in the area.

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

Notes, Tips and Special Remarks

1. One of the important points to remember when visiting this area is that even though this area of knuckles is a protected zone it is shared by the people of the area. Please make sure that you do not disturb them just as you would not disturb the flora and fauna of the area. Follow this thread on Lakdasun forum for more practical ideas and experiences.

Image Gallery
Misty Mountains – One of the mountain peaks of Knuckles seen through a veil of clouds. In Sinhalese these mountains are called “Dumbara” which means “Misty Mountains” due to this obvious reason.
Sunrise on a clod, clear morning. This view is from Corbett’s gap area at around 6.30 in the morning
Paddy fields of Kobonilla village making its way up from the valley in steps and a traditional farmer working in a paddy field at Kayikawela village. These are common sights in the region where traditional villages such as Meemure, Kayikawela, Kumbukgolla and Kobinilla are sandwiched between hills.
Sunrise at Kalupahana a unique high altitude plain located at the heart of knuckles range	A stream peacefully flowing through the forest. Sights like this are quite common in this area of Knuckles
Endless view from Kobonilla Village. You can see up to the east coast including the famous “Barron’s cap” on a clear morning like this
Some of the rarest and strange life forms on earth find refuge in the Knuckles range
Clouds, Mountains, Blue sky and a tree creating a beautiful composition.	View from the Nitro-cave, the destination of one of the hikes you can do in the area.
Make sure that you carefully look for these wonders hidden in the forest when ever you walk though the unique eco-system of knuckles
View from the Mini World’s end as storm clouds approach from the distant mountains