Difficulty: Tough mountainous jeep track with hair-pin bends

You need: A serious four-wheel drive and an experienced driver behind the wheel

We drove: AToyotaLand cruiser BJ 43 & aToyota Hilux LN106

Trail Head: Kalupahana onColombo – Badulla highway

Nearest Town: Kalupahana                                       Nearest City: Balangoda

Access to Trail head: Horton Plains Trail Map | More about Horton Plains National Park

from A4 highway (Colombo – Badulla)

Trail End: Horton Plains National Park visitor centre                 Total Length: 23.5 km

Elevation Gain: 1291m (Elevation at Trail Head: 846m | Elevation at Trail End: 2137m)

Approximate time: 3 – 5 hours

Driving Season: Best: January to March (Possible: July to August | Avoid: Monsoon Months)

Permit Required: YES (Only if you plan to enter theHortonPlainsNational Park). Alternatively you can choose to go to Ohiya and back to civilization from there without entering the park.

This unique track will give you an opportunity to enjoy some of the best hill country landscapes ofSri Lankaand push you and your vehicle to the limits as you pass hair pin bends exceeding 15 degrees gradient. One section of the trail is so difficult to pass, so that it is popularly knows as the “Devils staircase”. You will also be able to see the highest waterfall inSri Lanka, the “Bambarakanda falls”.

0 to 5km: To enter the trail take left turn from Colombo – Badulla highway at Kalupahana, between 173^rd and 174^th  km post (waypoint KH01). As you drive about 200m along the narrow but paved track, you will hit a “Y” junction (waypoint KH02). Take the left turn from there. As you drive about 3.5 more kilometers you will reach the first attraction of the journey, Bambarakanda falls, tallest in Sri Lanka. The best observation point is at about 4.2 km from the Colombo – Badulla highway (waypoint KH03). Passing Banbarakanda falls, drive 800m to reach Bambarakanda rest (waypoint KH04).

Bambarakanda Rest is a small guest house managed by Mrs Sera Mayakaduwa. It is an ideal place for you to take a break and see around. There are many exciting nature trail in the area including the trail to the top of Bambarakanda falls and the trail to “Lanka Ella” falls, another beautiful waterfall.

5km to 13.5 km: This section of the trail is of medium difficulty. Occasionally you may have to engage 4WD especially if the trail is not completely dry. Make sure that you front wheel hubs are in “lock” position if they are manually operated.

Leaving Banbarakanda rest, continue uphill along the trail. Soon the trail will become an unpaved dirt road. About 1km from Bamabarakanda rest, there is a scenic outlook where you can see bambarakanda falls surrounded by the mountain range and Pines plots (waypoint KH05).

As you climb uphill you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the vast Kalthota plains and Samanalawewa reservoir

Around 7.3km from trail head, the trail enters “Udaweriya Estate” through a narrow passage cut through the hill slope which is popularly known as “the V-cut” (waypoint KH06).  As you drive along the track, you will cross the stream which feed Bambarakanda falls.

Around 10km from the trail head, the first set of hair pin bends should be tackled (waypoint KH07).

Around 11.5km from trail head, there is a “Y” junction (way point KH08). The sharp left, uphill track goes to an estate bungalow. Continue on the right, slightly down-hill track towards Ohiya Estate.

Around 12km from trail head you have to pass the second set of more difficult hair-pin bends known as the Devils Staircase (waypoint KH09). Use the lowest possible gear and drive down-hill as slow as possible.

After the devils staircase continue to climb down. At waypoint KH 10 a smaller track merges from the right side. Continue along the main track (do not turn)

At waypoint KH 11, 13.5 km from the trail head, you reach an important junction where the trail divides in to two, giving you two options.

The first option is to take the left branch up-hill. This track will take you to the 26^th km post of Ohiya – Pattipola road. There is approximately 3km to Ohiya-Pattipola road and the trail is extremely challenging. This is the track we chose to take and therefore the remainder of this guide will describe this trail. Unless you are driving a serious 4WD you should NOT attempt this.

The other option, the right branch down-hill, will take you to Ohiya. Distance to Ohiya is   9km from this point. From KH11, you will climb down for the next 1.8 km and then will climb up for another 5.2km to reach Ohiya-Pattipola road. Out of this 5.2km, the last 2.6km is a well paved section. Up to the point of the well paved track the trail condition is similar to that from Bambarakanda fall. On Ohiya-Pattipola road you have to drive another 2km to reach the Ohiya railway station. Overall, the conditions of this trail are much better and less challenging compared to the left branch.

13.5km to 16.5km: As you take the left turn up-hill, you enter the most difficult part of the trail. This part of the trail will continuously challenge you with hair-pin bends with close to 20 degrees of gradient, fair size rocks, boulders and thick mist, especially in the afternoon, which sometimes restricts visibility to merely few meters ahead.

Length of this section is approximately 3km and the condition of the trail is pretty much consistent from start to end.

The only decision point you encounter in this section is the waypoint KH12 around 15.2km from the trail head. At this point there is a “T” junction and you should take the left turn.

This is the last section of the jeep track. At the end of the trail, you will have to take a sharp left bend and enter Ohiya-Horton Plains-Pattipola paved road at the 26^th km post (waypoint KH13)

16.5 km to 23.5 km: If you plan to end your journey at the Horton plains wildlife department’s visitor centre turn left as you get on to the paved road. Enjoy the breath-taking views of Horton plains for the next seven kilometers to the visitor centre (waypoint KH14). You will have to obtain a permit on your way there at the entrance of the protected area which is located 1.5km from the point at which you reached the Ohiya-Pattipola road (waypoint KH13)

Alternatively you can take the right turn and reach Ohiya town.

Tips, Notes & special remarks:

•  Try to start early and complete the unpaved portion of the trail before early afternoon (at least by 2.00 p.m.)
• Make sure that your vehicle is in good mechanical condition (tires/breaks/suspension). Use low gears (and 4WD where trail is wet) and be gentle on gas pedal to avoid engine over-heating and wheel spin. Drive as slow as possible, as fast as necessary.
• If you plan to enter the national park, make sure that you are prepared to follow the rules and regulations applicable in a protected area. For an example you cannot use musical instruments or alcohol in a protected area.
• Be careful when using water from streams. Water from streams running through tea estates is NOT suitable for drinking. It will be a good idea to carry at least 1ltr of water per person.

Way points

Trail Difficulty: Easy | Moderate | Strenuous | Tough

Trail Head: Bambarakanda Rest, Kalupahana.

Nearest Town: Kalupahana                   Nearest City: Bandarawela

Access to Trail head:  Bambarakanda Trail Map | More about Bambarakanda area

Route to Bambarakanda Rest

Colombo-> Ratnapura -> Balangoda -> Kalupahana (left turn from Colombo– Badulla highway [A4] at Kalupahana, between 172^nd and 173^rd km post & Drive 5km) -> Bambarakanda Rest

Last 500m after passing Bambarakanda falls is an unpaved rough road which will need some ground clearance to tackle. Road construction work is underway and hopefully the road will become better soon.

Bambarakanda Rest is a small guest house managed by Mrs. Sera Mayakaduwa (Tel: 0575670457)

Trail End: Uduwara and Nagadowa falls Observation Point

Total Length: 2.6 km

Elevation Gain: 300m (Elevation at Trail Head: 1110m | Elevation at Trail End: 1406m).

Approximate time: 1.5 hours

Hiking Season: Best months are April to September

Permit Required: NO

Uduwara falls and Nagadowa falls are two beautiful waterfalls hidden deep in the mountains around Bambarakanda area. Both waterfalls are located in a steep; difficult to access location between two mountains. Therefore this hike is to the closest observation point where you can see both waterfalls clearly from the mountain in-front of them.

First you will be walking along the Kalupahana – Ohiya jeep track and then through tea trails. The last stretch is an abandoned tea trail which now winds though a grass covered mountain slope. For the most part, a moderate ascend is experienced. There are several scenic outlooks in to the eastern plains and to the mountain ranges and waterfalls in the area.

0 to 1km: Form Bambarakanda Rest (waypoint: UN01) start walking up-hills along the Kalupahana – Ohiya road. After you walk about 350m along the jeep track you will find a trail on the left hand side climbing up hills (waypoint: UN04). This short cut will again join the jeep track and therefore you can climb faster without walking along the winding jeep track.

After you turn left from the jeep track you have to climb 250m until you get back on the same jeep track. While climbing up you can see the Bambarakanda falls cascading along the forest covered mountains on your left hand side (waypoint: UN05). Passing this point continue to climb up and get back on to the jeep track (waypoint: UN06). Continue to walk up-hill along the jeep track enjoying the beautiful view in to the endless plains ofSri Lanka’s eastern provinces.

About 400m from UN06, you will reach a sharp right hand bend in the jeep track and there you will find two trails starting from the jeep track going towards right hand side (waypoint: UN09). One of the trails goes down hill and joins the jeep track. The other trail moves in to a small forest patch. Chose the second trail which goes in to the forest patch with a slight ascend.

1km to 1.8km: After a brief ascend, the trail will transform in to a paved tea trail with rocks and stones with moderate ascend. Continue to climb along this trail. After about 200m, you will find a “T” junction of trails (waypoint: UN12). Take the left turn at this point. After walking few meters, the trail will again start its moderate ascends.  Next 200m, the trail climbs up to the top of the tea field, making sharp left and right bends. At this point you will see a set of line houses on your right side and over them you will also see the tea factory of Udaveriya estate on the side of a distant hill (waypoint: UN15).

Continue to walk along the trail passing line houses and moving towards you left avoiding any smaller trails towards right (the trails towards right reach line houses). The trail is now fairly flat and is leading towards a small forest patch. When the trail approaches the bushes, continue to walk through it. You will hear two small streams flowing beside the trail. Now you are at the top of a hill (waypoint: UN19).

Passing UN19, climb about 100m more. At this point you will find the trail splitting in to two (waypoint: UN20). Do not take the trail which continues to climb up. Instead take the path which is some what flat, making approximately a 180 degree turn to left.

Beyond this area you will not see any tea bushes, instead the old tea trail will continue through the grassy hill sides and occasional patches of bushes.

1.8km to 2.6km: This last section of the trail is fairly flat compared to the trail up to UN20.

As you walk along the abandoned estate trail you will experience intermittent mild climbs and the trail will make several sharp bends winding along the side of the hill. You will also see smaller trails splitting from the main trail you are walking along. Avoid these smaller trails and continue along the main trail.

About 300m from UN20, you will again have to walk through a bush for few meters. Walking 100m more, you will reach the edge of a hill where you can see the surrounding hills and the landscape (waypoint: UN25). As you continue to walk along the open trail through the grasses you can enjoy the view of eastern plains and the more memorable sights of the smaller mountain peaks and the valley below, all beautifully covered with a velvet carpet of tall grass.

After about 150m from UN25, you will experience a slight descend (waypoint: UN27). The trail descends a bit along the side of the hill to another area covered with bushes (waypoint: UN28).

After crossing the small buses at UN28 continue to walk along the trail. You will see a mountain in front of you which again got signs of abandoned tea fields on its slopes (you can still see old tea trails zigzagging on the slopes). You will also notice that the trail you are walking makes an almost 90 degree left turn at a point in front of you about 150m further. Our destination is that point (waypoint: UN31).

As the trail makes the sharp left turn around the mountain, you will get the uninterrupted view in to the mountain slopes in front of you. You can see the two waterfalls cascading through these mountain slopes.

The waterfall to your right hand side is the Uduwara falls. The falls to the left of Uduwara falls and slightly above it is called Nagadowa falls. It’s very difficult to reach the base of these waterfalls as it requires walking through a deep rough valley with thick forest cover.

Tips, Notes & special remarks:

•  Make sure that you carry a water bottle. Most part of the trail is dry and water sources are limited.
• Avoid drinking water from streams as they are flowing trough tea fields.
• Leaches may occasionally bother you, especially in the upper sections of the trail.
• The best time of the day to do this trail is a sunny after-noon. The view of the plains and mountains in warm evening light is an unbelievable sight.

Way Points

Trail Difficulty:  Easy | Moderate | Strenuous | Tough

Trail Head: Bambarakanda Rest, Kalupahana.

Nearest Town: Kalupahana                   Nearest City: Bandarawela

Access to Trail head:  Bambarakanda Trail Map | More about Bambarakanda area

Route to Bambarakanda Rest

Colombo-> Ratnapura -> Balangoda -> Kalupahana (left turn from Colombo– Badulla highway [A4] at Kalupahana, between 172^nd and 173^rd km post & Drive 5km) -> Bambarakanda Rest

Last 500m after passing Bambarakanda falls is an unpaved rough road which will need some ground clearance to tackle. Road construction work is underway and hopefully the road will become better soon.

Bambarakanda Rest is a small guest house managed by Mrs. Sera Mayakaduwa (Tel: 0575670457)

Trail End: Top of Bambarakanda Falls                Total Length: 1.6 km

Elevation Gain: 200m (Elevation at Trail Head: 1110m | Elevation at Trail End: 1228m).

Note that you effectively climb 200m as the trail descends to the valley and then start climbing up.

Approximate time: 1.5 hours

Hiking Season: Best months are April to September

Permit Required: NO

Bambarakanda Falls is the highest waterfall inSri Lankalocated in the eastern slopes of Central Hills at the foot hills of Horton Plains.

Trail to the top of this falls is an exciting walk mostly entirely through Pines plots. At the top, there is another small but beautiful waterfall and a large pool. Scenery all around at the top of the falls is unbelievable including the uninterrupted view in to the end-less eastern plains of Sri Lanka.

0 to 900m: From the Bambarakanda Rest (Waypoint: BF01) start walking towards the Bambarakanda falls on the main road. About 500m from the trail head you will pass the Bambarakanda Falls observation point (Waypoint: BF04). Passing this, walk about 100m more along the main road and get in to the foot path leading to the base of the Bambarakanda falls, on to your right hand side climbing down few cement steps (Waypoint: BF05).

As you walk about 150m along the foot path, you will find another foot path coming from the main road leading to the base of the Bambarakanda fall (Waypoint: BF08). Take right turn and merge on this foot path. As the foot paths merge you will see the bridge constructed over the stream carrying the flow of Bambarakanda falls (Waypoint: BF09).

As you cross the bridge, the trail enters a Pines plot. You will experience a mild climb. About 50m from the bridge you will find a trail towards right which takes you to the base of Bambarakanda falls (Waypoint: BF11), continue along the left trail which climbs up along Pines.

900m to 1.3km: As you pass BF11 the climb will intensify. The next 400m will be a hard climb through the Pines plot taking hair-pin turns left and right until you reach a place where you are at the edge of the pines plot with undisrupted view of the eastern plains and the roads below (Waypoint: BF16).

1.3km to 1.6km: As soon as you pass BF16, you will find a trail on your right side climbing up in to the Pines Plot (Waypoint: BF17). This is the trail leading to the top of the falls. From this point onwards you will climb about 100m walking approximately 300m (1:3 inclination). As a result this portion of the trail is quite challenging. Slippery conditions underfoot due to the fallen pine needles will make it even challenging.

This portion of the trail up to the top of the water fall goes at the edge of the cliff. You can enjoy breath-taking views in to the eastern plains and the winding roads below. One of the points worth mentioning is the point at which there is a rock extrusion on the side of the falls (Waypoint: BF20). You can walk up to the edge of this extrusion (be extremely careful though in doing this!) and get an almost 360° view in to the valley below.

After passing BF20, continue to climb up along the trail. In about 100m you will see the small waterfall situated above Bambarakanda falls. This small waterfall creates a large pool and then water from the pool crashes more than 750 ft creating the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, the Bambarakanda Falls. One you see the small waterfall and the pool climb down about 50m to reach the pool. This last decent is extremely steep and slippery. Once you reach the Pool, you are at the Top of Bambarakanda falls (Waypoint: BF24).

Tips, Notes & special remarks:

• Make sure that you carry a water bottle. Most part of the trail is dry and water sources are limited to the streams at very beginning (Bambarakanda Fall’s stream) and the top of the falls.
• Leaches may occasionally bother you, especially in the lower sections of the trail.
• Be extremely careful when walking along Pines plots. Trail when covered with Pine needles can be quite slippery. When combined with steep ascends and descends this becomes a significant danger.

Way Points

Trail Difficulty: Easy | Moderate | Strenuous | Tough

Trail Head: Bambarakanda Rest, Kalupahana.

Nearest Town: Kalupahana                   Nearest City: Bandarawela

Access to Trail head: Bambarakanda Trail Map | More about Bambarakanda area

Route to Bambarakanda Rest

Colombo-> Ratnapura -> Balangoda -> Kalupahana (left turn from Colombo– Badulla highway [A4] at Kalupahana, between 172^nd and 173^rd km post & Drive 5km) -> Bambarakanda Rest

Last 500m after passing Bambarakanda falls is an unpaved rough road which will need some ground clearance to tackle. Road construction work is underway and hopefully the road will become better soon.

Bambarakanda Rest is a small guest house managed by Mrs. Sera Mayakaduwa (Tel: 0575670457)

Trail End: Lanka Ella (waterfall)              Total Length: 1.9 km

Elevation Gain: Negligible (Elevation at Trail Head: 1110m | Elevation at Trail End: 1144m).

Even though the elevation gain is negligible the trail goes over a side of a cliff which effectively makes you climb and descend about 150m from one valley to the other.

Approximate time: 1.5 hours

Hiking Season: Best months are April to September

Permit Required: NO

BambarakandaFallsis the highest waterfall inSri Lankalocated in the eastern slopes of Central Hills at the foot hills of Horton Plains. The area around Bambarakanda falls is one of the most scenic areas. It also offers a number of interesting and challenging hiking trails.

Lanka Ella is a isolated waterfall located in the area. The fall gets its name due to the shape of the base pool which resembles the tear-drop shape ofSri Lanka. Trail to Lanka Ella mostly winds through Pines plots and savannas and offer several scenic outlooks in to the forest covered mountain range of Horton plains and vast plains in easternSri Lanka.

0 to 900m: From the Bambarakanda Rest (Waypoint: BL01) start walking towards the Bambarakanda falls on the main road. About 500m from the trail head you will pass the Bambarakanda Falls observation point (Waypoint: BL04). Passing this, walk about 100m more along the main road and get in to the foot path leading to the base of the Bambarakanda falls, on to your right hand side climbing down few cement steps (Waypoint: BL05).

As you walk about 150m along the foot path, you will find another foot path coming from the main road leading to the base of the Bambarakanda fall (Waypoint: BL08). Take right turn and merge on this foot path. As the foot paths merge you will see the bridge constructed over the stream carrying the flow of Bambarakanda falls (Waypoint: BL09).

As you cross the bridge, the trail enters a Pines plot. You will experience a mild climb. About 50m from the bridge you will find a trail towards right which takes you to the base of Bambarakanda falls (Waypoint: BL11), continue along the left trail which climbs up along Pines.

900m to 1.3km: As you pass BL11 the climb will intensify. The next 400m will be a hard climb through the Pines plot taking hair-pin turns left and right until you reach a place where you are at the edge of the pines plot with undisrupted view of the eastern plains and the roads below (Waypoint: BL16). This is the hardest part of this trail.

1.3km to 1.9km: after BL 16, the trail will be fairly flat for next 100m or so. As soon as you pass BL16, you will reach a point where the trail again split (Waypoint: BL17). The right branch climbing up is the trail to the top ofBambarakandaFalls. Continue along the left branch.

As you walk along the flat trail, you will reach an area where Pines trees mix with other native plant species. After passing this area there and after a slight climb you will reach an open grass covered hill side (Waypoint: BL21). From this point onwards the trail goes along this grassy lope of the hill slowly climbing down to the valley. You can enjoy breath-taking views of the forest covered mountains on the far side of the Valley.

As you continue, you will notice that that the trail gradually climbs down towards the valley. The river flowing through the valley is partly fed by the water from LankaEllaFalls. About 250m from BL16, you will reach a point where you can see the top part of Lanka Ella falls in the distance. Around this area you will again find a split in the trail (Waypoint: BL22). The right branch goes to the top of the Lanka Ella falls and the left branch climbs down towards the valley to reach the base of LankaEllaFalls.

Continue to climb down along the grassy mountain slope for another 300m where you will see a forest patch almost at the elevation of the valley (Waypoint: BL24). You can see another small waterfall merging with the river in the valley on your left side. Once the trail enter the forest patch (Waypoint: BL25) walk another 50m though the forest and reach the stream flowing from the Lanka Ella fall. Walk 10 meters up stream to reach the base of the fall (Waypoint: BL26).

Tips, Notes & special remarks:

•  Make sure that you carry a water bottle. Most part of the trail is dry and water sources are limited to the streams at very beginning (Bambarakanda Fall’s stream) and the Lanka Ella Fall’s stream.
• Leaches may occasionally bother you, especially in the lower sections of the trail.
• Be extremely careful when walking along Pines plots. Trail when covered with Pine needles can be quite slippery. When combined with steep ascends and descends this becomes a significant danger.

Way Points