Traveling Sri Lanka is really an interesting  to visit, you get your dose of wildlife, beaches, tea plantations, architecture, culture, and many others but more than that for those who love adventure, you get your dose of hiking and trekking trails as well. 

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka is also very easy, simcards and data plans in Sri Lanka are really cheap making it easy to just stay connected while you are doing various adventures in the country. Plus, as of this writing, it’s free to enter Sri Lanka. I mean, isn’t that great? For the avid hiking fans like me, here’s 10 Hiking and Trekking trails of Sri lanka that you should include in your Sri Lanka Itinerary. 

1. Ella Rock

Ella Rock is a one-day hike from Ella town in the highlands with about 1000 meters above sea level. This is famous for its impressive and breathtaking views at the top.This hike has a cold weather and surely you will enjoy the nice view from the beginning to the end of the hike. The way back will take you over to a small bridge, through a tea plantation, a high grass area and to eucalyptus trees. 

Time Required: 3 hours (round trip) 

Difficulty: Easy 

Start/Finish Points: Ella Railway Station 

2. Adam’s Peak (Sri pada) 

Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka is well known as Sri Prada which means “sacred footprint”. The sacred footprint is held to be the footprint of the Buddha, hence, the hike to this sacred place is more likely a pilgrimage than a hike. This is very famous to the people from all four religions in Sri Lanka where they climb up the 5,200 steps with a height of over 2,000 meters. The typical climb starts in the middle of the night so you can reach the peak for a breathtaking view of the adam’s peak sunrise and on the opposite side, a perfect conical shadow of the sacred mountain spreads across the western mountains and valley for a few minutes. 

Time Required: 5-7 hours 

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate 

Start/Finish Points: Ella Railway Station 

3. Little Adam’s Peak 

Because of their alike shapes, Little Adam’s Peak was named after its considered big brother, the blessed mountain of Adam`s Peak. Little Adam’s Peak is highly recommended if you want to enjoy a beautiful sunset and sunrise looking at the lush green of the cloud forests and the tea plantations in Ella without hiking for hours. The path up to this is easy to find and the trail begins with a moderate incline as it winds through tea plantations and you will reach a set of stairs that will lead you to the top of the peak. 

You will know you have reached the top when you see Buddhas sitting on the peak. Be amazed at the great views at the peak in all directions. 

Time Required: 40 minutes 

Difficulty: fairly easy 

Start/Finish Points: Ella Railway Station 

4. Horton Plains and World’s End 

Horton Plains is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved national park in Sri Lankan Highlands. It is consisting of a rich plateau with thick forests, breezy grasslands, misty lakes and fresh waterfalls, hence here you will find scenery unlike anywhere in the country. On one edge of Horton Plains is World’s End, if you are interested in Trekking, this park offers the famous “World’s End Trek”, which offers breathtaking views of the park. It highly recommended to start the trek early in the morning, because it will be sunrise when you reached the top, and the sight is amazing to behold. 

Time Required: 

Horton Plains – 1 to 2 hours 

World’s End – 1 hour 

Difficulty: Average 

Start/Finish Points: Pattipola railway stations 

5. Knuckles Range 

Knuckles range is one of the most beautiful rain forests in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO inscribed World Heritage Site in 2010. These mountain range are called “knuckles” because of its uncanny likeness to human knuckles. It is very popular as a hiking destination because hikers can experience all types of ecosystem, including sudden changes in weather and temperature. There are also different nature trails that hikers can select based on their physical strength and interest. Ideal place for hiking and immerses yourself in what nature has to offer, it helps to take the stress away and helps you relax. 

Time Required: 13 hours 

Difficulty: Hard 

Start/Finish Points: Kandy 

6. Meemure 

Meemure is one of most rural village in Srilanka situated at the Knuckles mountain range. Meemure owns a unique beauty being surrounded by mountains, endless water flows, waterfalls, paddy fields and the morning mist. Most people try to visit this village regardless of the distance and the hard road because experiencing the beauty of this area is really worth it. It is also indeed, a very beautiful and peaceful place and the best-hide outs in Sri Lanka as there are no phone coverage that serves as a treat to get rid and have a break from the busy life in the city. 

Time Required: 2 hours and 30 minutes 

Difficulty: Average 

Start/Finish Points: Hunnasgiriya 

7. Pidurangala 

A place that shouldn’t miss while in Sigiriya. Pidurangala is a large rock formation found within a few kilometers north of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka. Hiking in this will give hiker a great view of the famous Sigiriya Fortress and 360 view of the valley. Trekking Pidurangala will be perfect at dawn, to watch the sunrise. Just after buying a ticket, you will pass a temple which is worth paying a visit. The stairs next to it will lead you to the top of the rock. The last part can be a little challenging as you will have to climb your way up to the top. When you arrive at the top you have a breathtaking view of the Lion’s Rock and the surrounding. 

Time Required: 30 minutes to 1 hour 

Difficulty: Easy 

8. Diyaluma Falls 

This beautiful Diyaluma Falls is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. The hike was entirely downhill so it wasn’t as tiring as an uphill climb. The trail was also well-marked 

along the tall grass leading you to the Upper Falls, which had a series of pools flowing out into the cliff and cascading into another pool below. At the end of the hike, you can get down to the point where the water finally descends the 200m. You can peep over the edge the look down at the main road. The pool created is good for bath. The view over the edge is amazing and worth all the steps in the hike. 

Time Required: 20 minutes 

Difficulty: easy 

Start/Finish Points: Poonagala Road 

9. Mini Worlds End at Riverston National Park 

If you are a nature love, you must visit they call Mini Worlds End at Riverston. This is the mini version of the Horton’s Place (World’s End), where you can see many flora and fauna. Many hikers go to Pathana early in the morning to see the amazing views. You need a day to fully experience the sharp clips, birds, valleys, wildlife, natural pools, hiking and falls. 

Time Required: 45 minutes 

Difficulty: Average 

10. Sigriya Rock Fortress

Also widely known as Sinhagiri, an ancient Sigirya rock fortress situated in the northern Matale District, Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres high. Hiking to this place really requires patience and a lot of steps but once you’ve reached the top, it will be all worth it because of the great and amazing view it has 

Time Required: 60 minutes 

Difficulty: Easy

See, Sri Lanka offers a mix of easy, moderate and hard hikes so there is something for everyone. Have you hiked in Sri Lanka? Tell me your favorite hiking or trekking experience in Sri Lanka.