Exploring Kirigalpoththa peak via Horton Plains National Park

Exploring Kirigalpoththa peak via Horton Plains National Park

This is one of the most scenic treks in Sri Lanka. It will be a once in a life time experience for travelers. Horton Plains national park is one of the most visited national parks in Sri Lanka but the kirigalpoththa trek is very less explored..

Itinerary

Kirigalpoththa is the second highest peak in Sri Lanka and it can be accessed easily via Horton Plains National Park. But very few travelers have done this hike. Trail to summit of this Kirigalpoththa is a good reflection of the raw natural beauty of Horton Plains. This 14km trail (both ways) will take around 5 1/2 hours of trekking, hiking & mountaineering challenges. Attempting Kirigalpoththa is for the daring adventurers only as the conditions can be treacherous due to the difficulty of the terrain and weather. A single & a slightly over grown path through grassy plains, cloud forest, swamp & finally steep rocky surface which lay at a 30 degree angle dropping into a boundless gap. Once you reached the top it gives you a picturesque site of the mountain ranges of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Leopard & Sambur are the bigger wild animals you may sometimes come across; if you are lucky, you may even encounter a few endemic bird species such as Yellow eared bulbul, Ceylon white eye, Dull blue flycatcher, Ceylon scimitar babbler etc.