Ududumbara to Rathna Ella along Hasalaka oya

The map – Click to enlarge

This year the monsoon seems to be getting late letting me venture around more and more taking the upper hand of it. There was an old post on a trail from Udu dumbara to Rathna falls which was hanging around my long list for many years. So I thought of giving it a shot. With few calls Sri, Danushka and Lahiru were in to it. It was supposed to be an easy hike which was 2.5Km’s.

On the previous day I reached Mahiyanganaya and loitered around in the evening enjoying some unseen water bodies called Dambarawa lake and Mapakada lake. Next day I met up with rest of the gang who came from Colombo at 18 bend observation point and enjoyed the sun rise from the east. Next it was time to break the bad news. I had previously measured the length along the river from a bridge which crosses a river at a lower place and the road from Poppitiya would have led us there but all in our group agreed to do the full trail from Udu dumbara, so we marched towards Udu dumbara to have some breakfast before beginning a long journey.  We hired a trishaw and continued along Kalugala road for 7Km’s and was dropped off at a bridge at Hanwella. After washing our faces we were all ready to venture on.

Madulsima range as seen from Dambarawa lake

Dambarawa lake

lake bund

yahangala and kehelpathdoruwa as seen from Dambarawa lake

randenigala range

an open bill

plucking flowers (farther and son)

Mapakada lake

glossy Mapakada lake

colours of randenigala

fishing at Mapakada lake

at newly renovated Mahiyangana lake

Our rough calculations were about 6Km’s along Maha oya (which later changes its name as Hasalaka oya) but numbers did change at the end.  So we began walking along a bliss enjoying seen how the forest was embracing the river plus creepers crossing from one side to the other creating periodically laid curtains. We came across few birds too, the common kingfisher, a fly catcher, Serpent eagle and two huge brown fishing owl’s. Out of the two owls the first one was singled eyed one.  Walking along a river is not an easy task at all. At some places we had to crawl along rocks and some places walk submerged (at least the feet) too. It was a zig zag journey conquering obstacles all the way.  We came across an interesting natural anicut in the river which seemed to be done by our ancestors unfortunately the local who was around knew nothing about it. After traveling for few Km’s we came across a canal which we flowed through the paddy fields and reentered the main stream. Few hundred meters downstream there was a beautiful waterfall which we named Anicut falls. Just before reaching the suspension bridge which crosses the river (this is the location I mentioned previously about) we had to hang on to creepers and etc to tackle the difficult terrain of the river side.

Sun rise as seen from the observation point at 18 wanguwa

kokagala and sora bora wewa

Ulhitiya

Ma oya starting point

bricks…

like walking along paradise

king fisher

kids at the river ran away after seen Sri

hiding from the paparazzi’s

a natural or ancient anicut note the square shape holes along the rock canal

decorated with creepers

unknown

more to go

paradise fly catcher

common king fisher

One eye john

violet

ah found one with both eyes too

shaped

giant creeper

yum yum

cultivation’s

along the canal

friendly guy

landscape

back to the river

kehelpathdoruwa

anicut ella

side view

along another canal

mini cascades

mineral hunting

plenty of adventure

last signs of civilization at the bridge

We did have some rest near the suspension bridge before starting our second session. We had already walked close to 6Km’s and we were worried a bit because it was already 12noon. The river architecture was not helpful to us from here onwards and the terrain becoming more difficult was hindering our speed. We were now almost away from civilization and fresh foot prints of Wild elephants on the river bed gave us few jiggles.  After about 1.5 Km we reached one of those beautiful cascades formed by Hasalaka oya, where one would feel like spending the whole day around. Though we wanted to have a swim at this place time was not in our favour.  50m’s downstream was a huge abyss and we had to de-route along an abandoned paddy field to reenter the river and at that point again we came across a beautiful cascade which seemed to be an ideal camping location during a dry period.

modified 5 start hut

robin hood was with us

crystal blue

some in our group were eyeing on this

efforts taken to save their shoes from getting wet

elephant prints

less water but yet beautiful

wish it had more water

a nice shower i guess

on the hunt

we had to by pass this

another cascade

abandoned

reaching another cascade

a waterfall of ma oya

dried out

The endless walk seemed to be like we were following a mirage and to add on to it we were facing some huge boulders. We decided to cut across the jungle and fortunately we found a foot path which took us to a higher elevation along the left bank of the river. We were exhausted and was wondering where is Rathna ella. The foot path we followed ended back at the river where we could faintly see a considerable drop.  The river was wide at this point and we managed to walk along it with not much of difficulty.  We were top of a waterfall with a stunning view and downstream we could see another drop. “Yes its Rathna ella” I said and danushka opened his eye which was closed with exhaustion.  We descended with caution from the right bank and reached the base of the beautiful upper rathna ella falls. It was already close to 3.30 so we had to find away round the deep pool just before the Rathna ella drop and for that we climbed up few boulders on the left bank. “Wow” at last we are on top of one of the tallest waterfalls in our Island; the stunning scenery from top was worth all the trouble. We were happy yet exhausted. The last challenge was getting down and for that we choose the right side forest patch and within few minutes the foot path was found. We followed it downhill for a considerable distance and lost the foot path. So from there onwards we descended with instincts. We were overjoyed to be at the base where we had a bath and refreshed ourselves before starting the walk towards the village. This last 2Km’s was like desert to us after hiking for good 11Km’s along a river. We managed to get a trishaw from Mahiyangana and reach there by 5pm where I had to depart without even saying a proper good bye to my friends because the last bus was taking off. It was tough and exhausting but worth it. That is how our 2.5Km journey ended up been 11Km’s.

more to go

through the forest

top of another waterfall

what a place to spend a night

drooling

could see the top of rathna ella too

Rathna ella upper falls

need to get around this deep pool

upper falls looks dried out

top of rathna ella

finally some smiles

at the top

the drop

through the forest while descending

finally at the base

Thanks for reading!