Off season hike to Adam’s Peak (Kuruwita trail)

Year and Month	November, 2014
Number of Days	Two Day Trip
Crew	2 (Thinuwan & myself) but the number increased to 3 at the end of the first day
Accommodation	Andiyamalatenna ambalama
Transport	Public transport
Activities	Hiking, Pilgrimage, Photography
Weather	Perfect weather but low temperatures (misty afternoons, some late showers & clear mornings)
Route	Maharagama -> Kuruwita -> Erathna -> Adawi kanda -> Erathna trail -> Galwangediya -> Summit of Adamas peak -> Nallathanni -> Maskeliya -> Hatton -> Yatiyanthota -> Avissawella -> Maharagama -> Colombo -> Monaragala
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Wear attire to protect you from extreme cold also take precautions to face cold and windy conditions It’s better if you can carry a stock of water (1L per person) and food products. Start as early as possible Do not carry Plastic items (Minimize), Make sure you bring back everything you took. Elephants do roam around Medahinna & Geththampana Path is not cleared but could manage, there are few leeches though Almost all the Ambalam’s along Erathna route weren’t in good condition (Daimangala and Medahinna had new roofs) Not recommended for heart patients(Heart Failure) Weather could make seethe gangula flood in seconds We were not given permission to stay at the Uda maluwa and we had to descend and climb again on the next day If you want to spend the night use Geththampana or Adiyamalathenna ambalam Follow proper religious rituals (as you can) respect the holiness of the place. SPECIAL THANKS TO Mr. Anil (DWC ranger at Nallathanni)
Related Resources	Trail guide: Kuruwita Erathna Trail to Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) Trail guide: Hatton, Nallathanni Trail to Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak)
Author	Ashan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Off season hike to Adam’s Peak (Kuruwita trail)

The map – click to enlarge

It is November the month before the official Sri pada season and I just couldn’t resist not visiting Adams peak before the crowds took over. I and Thinu were wondering whether to go to Sinharaja or Adams peak and suddenly the weather seem to be settling off so we decided to do an off season hike. Early morning we arrived at Kuruwita where we had breakfast and took the first bus (6.10am) to Erathna and from there took a trishaw to Adawi kanda (there is a bus to Adavi kanda at 7.45am). Sharp at 7 we started the hike and off we went through the overgrown mana section. The humid environment started to cause few problems within no time but we proceeded continuously. For detailed information on the trail please refer the trail guide. All the streams were in full flow and really didn’t have to carry lot of water. We came across three ambalamas close to each other and those were Jambola gaha yata ambalama, Daimangala ambalama & Warnagala ambalama. Out of these Daimangala was in good condition. After reaching Warnagala ambalama we took the foot path near the toilet which goes through the forest and ends at Kuru ganaga. The 150m path took us close to the beautiful Waranagala water fall and we did manage to explore another waterfall close by too.

adawikanda trail head of erathna trail

morning rays

welcoming

drops of dew on petals

first resting place

Heen piduruthalawa

over grown path

another beauty

one of those streams

a slimy snail

an orchid?

binara

Daimangala ambalama

crazy inscriptions

Bandura

Arundina

a common colour

Waranagala power house

in bad condition :-(

kuru ganga

close up

a cascade close to warnagala fall

Waranagala fall

After Warnagala it was an uphill hike and after a while we reached a flat area which ended at Seetha gangula ambalama. At Seetha gangula we refreshed ourselves and finished off our pol roti. We didn’t want to hang around because the risk of showers could make the crossing difficult. After passing Seetha gangula it was again an uphill climb towards Medahinna. Suddenly Thinuwan remembered that he forgot his specs at Seetha gangula and decided not to go back for it. So if you guys are doing this trail please look for it and check this forum post of his for more information. There were many steep ascends close to Medahinna and for the first time in my life I started getting cramps. Immediately we prepared a Jeevani and took some frequent breaks. From here onwards a walking stick came to the rescue. With difficulty we reached Medahinna where we enjoyed a well-deserved long break. In between Medahinna and Geththampana we found an area devastated by elephants few months back. After reaching Geththampana we did manage to view Kunu diya kanda for the first time but because of the thick mist couldn’t see Adams peak.

covered path

misty

crystal clear water

plenty of these

on top of trees

had a rest here

thunmodara

thinuwan crossing seetha gangula

large mushrooms

relatively flat areas

Medahinna temple

obstacle course

Elephant country

lovely and lonely

Geththampana roofless

kunu diya pawuwa as seen from geththampana

rituals

they were here

what view

lovely

Our next stop was Heramitipana where we were treated with a tea cup by two friendly ECB guys. Next stop was Adiyamalathenna and on the way to Adiyamalathenna we came across few chaps carrying bamboo from Palabaddala to bring up their stall for the season. For a very small amount they carry a lot of weight all the way to the top and they walked faster than us. At Adiyamalathenna we had some bread with soya and waited for an hour or so until the rain subsided. In the drizzling rain we climbed up to find out that the watcher and his friends who were enjoying some “bee dee” wouldn’t let us spend the night on top. I have never come across such a problem during my previous visit but it seems things have changed since then. With uttermost difficulty we decided to descend back to Adiyamalathenna. Fortunately the lights were up on Rathnapura trail though it was off season and it was an ease for us. On our way down we met Kena who were hiking alone along Kuruwita trail and we happily welcomed our new company. Our new companion Kenaman was a mobile canteen, he had brought food stuff to survive one week and we started trying out many combinations thanks to him. Though we slept early it was cut short at around 1 a.m. by the windy and cold weather. We were freezing so we put up a fire and started cooking, some “Kola keda”, Maggie and hot coffee which were able to make up our dropped mood.

makara thorana

getting ready for the season

peak wilderness

life on life

Nelu	another beauty

Adiyamalathenna

finally the mist cleared

misty view from maha giri dambe

cooking at 2am

At 4.30am we started ascending up for the second time within few hours and we reached the summit to find out close to 50 foreigners. Within few minutes the sun started to make patterns and give us a spectacular sun rise.

first shot ( note the lights)

three peaks of HP

Gawarawila side

awaiting

a pano

Maoussakele reservoir

Piduruthalagala

Hanthana range

sky on fire

first sight

here she is

in center ambuluwawa and the two mountains behind it are wiltshire and etipola of matale

kabaragala range and algalla seen behind it

wow

lovely

first rays

Dell range

Hakgala

Pettigala of balangoda

what a place!

the shadow between kunudiya pawuwa and heen piduruthalawa

rathnapura covered in mist

wow

twin peaks of bena samanala and kunudiya pawuwa

sapthakanya and kabaragala at its backdrop

ambuluwawa

peacock hills and its towers

uda maluwa

the sacred foot is behind this

the new bell

wow again

now its clear

Gawarawila plains

Kiribathgala

the extended team

We did start descending at 7.15am and on the way took a stop at a small boutique which was already in business. Had some tea and “Roti” from it before we started descending slowly. Two doggies did accompany us all the way to the Makara thorana. Just before the Makara thorana we came across the red bridge; passing it we came across the tea patch where we descended down to enjoy a beautiful waterfall. We named it red bridge falls J . Next stop was the waterfall close to Makara thorana which was bit low in water (Adams peak falls). We were greeted and welcomed by Mr. Anil who is a ranger at Nallathanni DWC office. We did have a bath and some lunch and said good bye to Mr. Anil and headed towards Nallatrhanni where we met Ganga another Lakdasun member and took off towards Hatton. As usual Hatton – Colombo buses were limited so we had to go all the way to Avissawella standing for 3 hours. That bus ride was like desert for our tired souls somehow at around 8pm we reached our destinations to end another successful hike to Adams peak.