Journey to Paduruthalawa /පැදුරුතලාව (1690m)

Paduruthalawa is a hidden entity of Sri Pada forest reserve situated in between Heen Piduruthalawa (හීන් පිදුරුතලාව) and Mahapaduruthalawa (මහ පැදුරුතලාව). Pandeniya River (පන්දෙනිය ගග) separates Heen Piduruthalawa and Paduruthalawa while the highest point of Paduruthalawa (6.855981, 80.482990) continues with the highest point of Mahapaduruthalawa (6.845931, 80.489742). We have noted Paduruthalawa and Mahapaduruthalawa when we were at 5th peak of Seven virgins and it was included into our to-do list.

Paduruthalawa is shown by black circle. Trail head at Uda Maliboda is marked by purple star. Pandeniya River is also marked. Note Mahapaduruthalawa and Heen Piduruthalawa. Click image to enlarge.

Highest points of Paduruthalawa and Maha Paduruthalawa in Google map.

Paduruthalawa is seen to 5th peak of Seven Virgins Hills.

Few weeks ago Thilina and his friends have hiked Paduruthalawa. Their journey has stimulated us to do this journey and we got necessary information from them.
Initially we had seven in the crew and three have dropped at last moment. At the end Ashan, Chamara, Keshan and Myself continued. (Same crew of Saptha Kanaya journey).
It was essential to start the journey as early as possible due to long distance from trail head. Keshan and Myself joined with Ashan and Chamara at Awissawella. Luckily a reasonable shop was opened at Deraniyagala to have breakfast. We drove along Deraniyagala-Uda Maliboda road to reach Uda Maliboda-Sri Pada trail head.
Everything started from Uda Maliboda-Sri Pada trail head. It was the second time I came to this place for 2020-Sri Pada season. Darmarawardana Mama at Dikellekanda is in the process of establishing a Buddha statue for Pilgrimages at trail head of Uda Maliboda. After having religious activities at this place we crossed Pandeniya River to enter Uda Maliboda-Sri Pada foot pathway. The weather was perfect and we stopped at small Buddha statue for a break. After few hindered meters walking along the foot path we descend to Pandeniya River back. This section was bit difficult due to steepness and overgrown Nelu bushes.

Pandeniya River

Journey begins

Uda Maliboda-Sri Pada trail

.	The forest

Artistic

Clear foot path

Upstream walk along Pandeniya River
Next part of the journey was upstream walk along Pandeniya River till we meet left hand branch of Pandeniya River. The distance was less than 1km but journey was slow as we had to walk over boulders. Pandeniya River starts in between Paduruthalawa and Mahapaduruthalawa while this branch gets birth from Paduruthalawa.

Get into Pandeniya River

Along Pandeniya River…

At river bank

Bouldering….

Tiny friend….

Deviate from Pandeniya River

The side stream joins with Pandeniya River with forming a beautiful cascade. We had a long rest at this place and good bye to Pandeniya River to follow the side stream. Compared to Pandeniya River, side stream was narrow and steeper to form tiny cascades.

Along the side stream of Pandeniya River
After the long rest at junction we started to ascend along the side stream. Most of the time it was ascend except few flat terrain along the stream. We came across about 5+ tiny and moderate size cascades at this side stream. As usual it was time consuming to walk along a river. According to the Google map we have followed another side stream for a short distance and entered the forest. Hereafter we followed the ridge in the forest to get on to Paduruthalawa. Before enter to second side stream we have noticed Paduruthalawa in our front.

Cascade formed by the side stream

Lateral view

Slow shutter

When we got on to the top of the fall. Heen Piduruthalawa is seen behind.

Few peaks of Heen Piduruthalawa

Another small cascade

Evidences of human activities

Stream is shaded by forest

A waterfall

Along the branch of Pandeniya River

A waterfall

Another….

A break….

Place to bath

Sometimes we deviated from the stream

Another

Side stream gets another side stream. According to Google map we followed it.

A beauty

Snaps….

Last cascade of the stream

Get into the forest

It was a continuous ascend along the ridge and we have noted evidences of recent human visits at this forest. (Later we knew another group of travelers have followed the same route a day before.) About last 500m of this hike was a steep ascend of 60/70 degree. It was really a strenuous exercise and ended at Paduruthalawa. There was a narrow view point towards other main hills of Sri Pada including Kunudiya Parwathaya, Bana Samonala and Darmarajagala.

View of KDP from Paduruthalawa.

Rest of Paduruthalawa

Walking on Paduruthalawa
Paduruthalawa is a nice place with slab rocks and forest patches. It’s height ranges from 1400m to1690m. It gives birth to several streams. According to Google map we have traced the falling point of one of the stream. It was a beautiful place with 180 view. This stream should form one of the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka in rainy season. The stream was fairly dry when we visited there. We have noted fairly old elephant dungs on top of Paduruthalawa.

Measuring the size of a foot print

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On top of Paduruthalawa

Slab rocks of Paduruthalawa

Elephant dung

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Over the slab rocks to the falling point of the stream.

Camping at Paduruthalawa
We have camped on top of above mentioned waterfall origins from Paduruthalawa. It was a dreamy camping site with all necessary features including spacious, water and good view. Heen Piduruthalawa and Kunudiya Parwathaya in our front and sun set was over Heen Piduruthalawa. The side stream of Pandeniya river and valley of Pandeniya river were immediately below from the view point. We forget the tiredness of the journey once we reached there. Full moon was illuminated behind the camp side at night.

Falling point

The view….

Valley of Pandeniya River

Valley of Pandeniya River

Sun set over Heen Piduruthalawa

Kunudiya Parwathaya has changed it’s shape.

Falling point of the stream. It might forms one of the highest waterfalls in SL.

Ashan

Keshan

Sun set

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It’s me….

Sun set

Evening sky

Full moon behind the camp site

Illuminated tent

Day 02
Reaching the highest point of Paduruthalawa and return journey
The morning breaks with sun rise over the highest point of Paduruthalawa. After having breakfast we have started to hike towards the highest point of Paduruthalawa. It was a journey along the upstream and there were number of side streams join with the main stream. This was a good evidence that Paduruthalawa is an origin of number of streams and they feed Pandeniya River at the end.
At one point of the ascend, we have noted sacred peak, Bana Samonala and Darmarajagala over forest patch.

Morning was like this

Full moon

Enjoying the morning view

Side view of falling point

? Top of Bambaragala

Four person breakfast

Camp site in distance

Walking along the main stream

Heading to highest point of Paduruthalawa

As most of them were dry, walking over them was not difficult

Number of slab rocks. These streams might form beautiful waterfalls in rainy days

Mosses over slab rock

Bana Samonala and Darmarajagala

Sri Pada, Bana Samonala and Darmarajagala

Sacred peak

It might forms a nice waterfall

Heen Piduruthalawa and Kunudiya Parwathaya

Thick forest cover on top with under growth of Nelu bushes

Top of Paduruthalawa was almost covered with forest and we were able to find a narrow view point towards other side. The view includes 6th peak of Saptha Kanya, Great Western, Rilagala/ Pasmale, Uda Radella towers, Kotagala, Dell Mountain, Hortain plains, Elbedda, Peaks of Hortain Plains, Bopaththalawa, Maha Paduruthalawa and ? Ballabendigala.

At highest point of Paduruthalawa. It is completely covered with forest.

View point of Paduruthalawa

The view

Great western (left) and Uda Radella with towers (middle)

Kotagala (left, pointed) and Dell Mountain

Pristine Hill (left), and Bopaththalawa (right)

Might be Paduruthalawa (closer) and? Ballabendihela (behind)

6th peak of Saptha Kanya

Peaks of Hortain plains- Kirigalpoththa and Agra Bopath. Bopaththalawa is situated next to them. (Left)

We decided to follow the same path in return journey. It took another five hours to reach the trail head of Uda Maliboda Sri Pada foot path. Here we descend along Pandeniya River further down to find a good place to get into Sri Pada foot pathway.

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