Hunnasgiriya Mountain (1514m) and nearby cascades

You may notice a unique shape mountain at Katugasthota town over it’s bridge and it is the highest mountain of that side. This is more visible from Waththegama town and got our attention in our waterfall hunting along Bambaralla road. After inquiring Waththegama town, got to know it as the Hunnasgiriya Mountain which is situated at Campbell’s Lane forest reserve.

There are two routes to approach Hunnasgiriya Mountain.

1. From Hunnasgiriya Estate side-What we did.
2. From Panwila side-Pathway is much clear.

There are two places called Hunnasgiriya in Kandy District. Other one will come across in Kandy-Mahiyangana road-A18.

Map-Note Hunnasgiriya mountain range and Campbell’s Lane forest reserve. Black star shows the peak and black arrow shows our approach from Hunnasgiriya estate side. Red arrow shows the pathway from Panwila side.
This is the boundary between Kandy and Mathale district.

View of Hunnasgiriya peak from Waththegama town. Pic by Ashan

We started walking along Hunnasgiriya road in early morning. As this is the road towards famous Hunnas Falls hotel, it is well maintained. We came across Hunnas Falls on your way up but it was too early to visit there. After passing the Hotel we hired a three wheeler to Senga Sadu lime house. Estate people call this peak as “Kodi Kati Male” (කොඩි කටි මලේ)

Be careful of wild animals

Morning rays

Abounded tea factory at Hunnasgiriya Estate

Abounded tea factory at Hunnasgiriya Estate

The road

The mountain which is situated behind the Hotel. This is climbed by foreigners

Important junction. Black arrow to Hunnasgiriya Radio and TV transmission towers, Red Arrow towards Hunnas Falls hotel

Famous Hunnas Falls Hotel

This is a common triad you will come across. Black arrow-Atipola Rock, Red Arrow-Brandy Rock and Yellow arrow- Wilshire Mountain

One estate worker with a little boy voluntarily came to show us the pathway. We started the foot pathway from Lime houses. This foot pathway goes over a rock plate and then we passed a small tea patch to enter the forest. Thereafter it was a continuous ascend till about 1km and foot pathway could be easily misled in this area. Because there are number of pathways using by firewood cutters. Then undergrowth in this area is also high.

After about one kilometer we came to an area where undergrowth is less. Then we said good bye to our guide and started the climbing alone. He said foot pathway is clear after this and take the right turn at the junction where foot pathway branches.

But there are number of junctions where foot pathway gets branches. You have to walk without getting right side pathway. At one stage this will goes on left side of a water stream parallel to it. After walking about 1km we came to the junction where right pathway goes to the peak and left one goes to Panwila. (This is the pathway from Panwila (පන්විල); a small Kovil would come across in this pathway). After about another 500m walk we came to an observation point where you can have a nice 1800 view towards Panwila side with Victoria reservoir. Peak was visible from here.

Then we climbed about another 500m and came to the highest point of Hunnasgiriya mountain range of Campbell’s lane forest reservoir.

Total distance we measured on our way back was 2km from peak to lime houses.

“Senga Sadu” lime houses

Walking over the rock plate

Breathe taking view

Entering to the tea patch

Thick undergrowth was a real challenge in early part. This small friend came to show us the way with bear foot

Good exercise for Ashan

Where we started the journey alone

Now undergrowth is less. But foot pathway is not clear

This is the junction where foot pathways get branched. Black arrow shows Panwila side. Red arrow shows the peak. This area is good for camping. Locals do camping here

Having a sip of water

Cut marks may help you

Nice to have a chance to walk here

Isolated beauty

First glimpse of the peak

At the summit point you can have a nice panoramic view including Kandy town with Hanthana range, Waththegama town, Mathale town with Atipola, Wilshire and Brandy rocks, Knuckles peaks covering with mist, Panwila side and tea estates and Victoria reservoir.

The drop

Katugasthota town and lake. Kandy town is visible far away

Panwila side

Victoria reservoir

Knuckles peaks covering with mist

Mathale town at base of Atipola mountain, Brandy rock and Wilshire Mountain

Hunnasgiriya Transmission towers

Extended Mathale town

Indian Fritillary

Where we were. Note the peak of Hunnasgiriya mountain range and transmission towers. This was taken on our way to Elkaduwa

After spending our time on the summit point we went down along the same route (alternatively you can descend to Panwila side). Return journey only took 45minutes compared to 2hour climbing.

Following waterfalls were visited on our way back to Mathale.

• Ihala Hunnas Falls (ඉහල හුන්නස් ඇල්ල)
• Hunnas Falls (හුන්නස් ඇල්ල)
• Ashburnham Estate Waterfall
• Edanwala Ella (ඇදන්වල ඇල්ල)
• Halkandura Ella (හල්කදුරා ඇල්ල)

Please note:

Locals don’t use names of Ashburnham Estate Waterfall and Edanwala Ella. They just call them as waterfalls. Edanwala Ella is mentioned in the waterfall book. I used the name Ashburnham Estate Waterfall as it is situated in that estate.

Sketch to show where these waterfalls are situated

Ihala Hunnas Falls.

This waterfall can be observed on your way back to Hunnasgiriya junction, few meters beyond Hunnas Falls hotel. There is a pathway through Hunnasgiriya line houses towards this 50m? tall waterfall (Although literature says it is 50m tall no such height is seen). There is a separate pathway from the hotel as well.

From the top of Ihala Hunnas Falls. It is often visited by visitors of the hotel for photography

Two parts of Ihala Hunnas Falls. Right and left parts. Right part is not clearly visible here

Left part has high water level compared to other one

Right part. Minimal water level

This water flows to the reservoir at Hunnas Falls Hotel

Hunnas Falls

The water stream after flowing from Ihala Hunnas Falls makes a reservoir at Hunnas Falls Hotel premises. They will release water from this reservoir as 48m tall Hunnas Falls. This is the border of Kandy and Mathale districts. Hunnas Falls is a man made waterfall. It is situated about 2km from Hunnasgiriya junction towards Hunnas Falls Hotel.

A ticket would be issued to enter the waterfall premises. It opens only after 8.30am.

Hunnas Falls. They have built few huts for observation purpose

Hunnas Falls

Another view

Ashburnham Estate Waterfall

Ashburnham Estate is situated about 2-3km from Elkaduwa (ඇල්කඩුව) town towards Hunugala (හුණුගල). You may come across the road towards famous Sembuwaththa (සෙම්බුවත්ත) Lake in this journey.

This beautiful hidden waterfall is situated within the estate premises.

You have to walk on the side of the Estate bungalow and then descend through the tea estate to reach this waterfall. It is about 30m height waterfall. British Estate rulers have made a nice cement steps towards the base of the waterfall. (Initially we missed it and creped through tea bushes and then Mana bushes.)

Ashburnham Estate

Reaching the base through Mana bushes. Note nice steps to the base

Hidden beauty. This waterfall can be seen only in one side

The base pool is fairly deep

Edanwala Ella (7°25’16.75″N, 80°40’19.62″E)

This 12m high waterfall is situated Lali Ambe (ලෑලි අඹේ) area. It can be seen on right hand side before Lali Ambe junction if you are going from Elkaduwa to Mathale. To reach this waterfall you have to walk about 1km through tea bushes and a Mana Patch. (Better ask from villagers about direction towards the waterfall).

Getting down through the tea bushes and Mana patch. The foot pathway is unclear due to growth of bushes

Edanwala Fall-Base pool is fairly shallow. But locals said they are not bathing here

Edanwala Ella

Evening scenery

Halkandura Ella (7°26’20.64″N, 80°39’52.74″E)

This 10m tall waterfall is situated at Pallehapuwida (පල්ලේහපුවිද) village. You have to drive towards Pallehapuwida from Lali Ambe junction about 2km to reach this waterfall. It is situated on right hand side of the road. Pallehapuwida village is a traditional village famous for lacquer ware (Laaksha/ලාක්ෂා).

Halkandura Ella-Low water level

Halkandura Ella-Full view

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