Horton Plains Heroism (Part 01) – Scenic Walk along the Solitude Jeep Track

When we were (Ashan, Sanketha and Me) climbing Pettigala I pointed my finger to a far end and asked Ashan whether it’s Horton plains. He replied me with a smile “Hariya Nogiya Thenna “. Surprised???? Yes for more than 30 years of my life I had never been to Horton Plains. So I was desperately needed to do HP ASAP and was in a hunger to do many trails within a short period. Within 3 days we ( Me and my friend Thenuka ) were able to cover five paths/trails of Horton Plains

1. Kalupahana-HP jeep track
2. Worlds end Circular trial
3. Thotupola mountain trail
4. Kirigalpottha mountain trail
5. HP to Dayagama trail

As this was my first visit to Hp I wanted to do this in somewhat different (I mean special) manner. My basic plan was like this. In the first day, start from Bambarakanda falls and walk towards HP as much as possible (at least to pass Devil’s staircase) and camp in a suitable place. Then to reach HP early morning next day and do Circular trail and Thotupola trail then camp in campsite No 1 ( we booked earlier ) .After that do the Kirigalpottha last day and descend via Dayagama .

Everything was executed accordingly except camping inside the park (due to Bad weather)

This report concludes the first trail “Kalupahana HP jeep track” i.e. Scenic walk along the solitude jeep track

We left our home around 5.00 a.m. and took a Three-wheeler to Kaduwela. Then we Boarded to a Badulla Bus and got off at Galagama in order to buy some essential items. Then we picked another bus and got off at Kalupahana. After that we hired a three wheeler to V-cut. Surrounding view was splendid

View from Kalupahana

Starting Point of the jeep track (waypoint KH01)

Nice views

Paddy fields too

Bamarakanda falls – Low level of water (waypoint KH02)

Bambarakanda,Wangedigla,Balathuuwa & Gonmolikanda in the Single frame

Endless mountains

Roads were paved with these type of bricks and still men were working

Famous V- CUT(waypoint KH06)

From here onwards we started our original hiking around 11.30 a.m. Although there were short cuts through tea fields we stuck to the main path to enjoy scenery without getting hacked. Since there were only two in our gang we had to carry considerable amount of weight including the tent, Gas cooker ( Given by our Friend Prasanna ) food, water etc.

Stream We crossed

This is the stream which feeds Bambarakanda falls

There were short cuts but we chose the original track as we had ample time

After little while I showed my friend a foot path which leads to Bambarakanda falls. I was not interested to visit the top of Bambarakanda falls as I had done it once (from the bottom). But my friend was desperate in visiting same. So I obeyed to his request and did a detour to top of Bambarakanda falls after keeping our backpacks in a safe place

Descending through pine plots. He was happy

This place is somewhat below the top of Bambarakanda falls. But went there to get the thrilling experience. (Be careful though )

Water fall on the Top of B’Kanda Fall

Top of the Bambarakanda falls

Then we came back to the jeep track and walked along the heavenly path

Path to heaven

Oh……… This was a heaven

Lanka Ella seen far away

Flora

More views

Estate houses

Tea+ mountains

We had lunch here ( Biscuits+ cheese ) filled water bottles from nearby house ( from pipe lines )

Old buildings

Kingdom of mountains

More views

Then we came to a tricky place. One guy said that the left path is the way to Horton plains. We told him that we wanted to do Horton’s plains along the jeep track. But he didn’t realize our intentions and strongly said to follow the path left. But after walking in that path we realized path becoming narrow and it’s not a jeep track. May be there could be foot paths to Horton’s plains from that point. But our intention was to explore the jeep track. So we came back and chose the right path.

This was a tricky place. But As we had a GPS we went straight

Land mark in the path

Tiny waterfall

Another landmark

After this point we encountered a difficult descend

Isolated path

Udaweriya estate at far (As I guess)

Y junction Mentioned in Trail guide(way point KH08) picked the Right Path

The Devil’s Staircase

The Devil

Wow

You should go there and experience it………………

Bridge before the important junction

Land mark

flora

More	A place where we had shelter in a drizzle

Difficult for a driver but Scenic for a walker

Around 5.00 p.m. we reached the most important junction of the jeep track .According to the trail guide the road left will take you to HP ( 3 KM )which very difficult for a driver. We took the left path and proceeded in the isolated scenic road searching a suitable place to camp. As the trail was not broad and surrounded by tea fields finding a camping place was not easy. After nearly 1 km from the junction (near a small water tank) we found a suitable place for camping along a small foot path. Even that place had marginal ground space to pitch a tent. After pitching the tent we cooked noodles for dinner and settled in.

It was windy but we had already tied our tents well using stones. Although it was a tea estate there were no houses nearby and no one was traveling. We had a nice chat till night and went to sleep. Heavy winds hit the tent throughout the night also temperature was remarkably low but it was a rewarding experience to flee away from our usual hustle bustle life.

Trail division – Starting the Most difficult part of jeep track ( Go left ) waypoint KH 11

Going up……..No civilization ………..my favourite section of the trail

Dangerous bends

Our tent ….Nearly 30m away from the jeep track

Cooking was easy thanks to Prasanna’s Gas cooker

We woke up early in the morning and got ready for the final section of the journey around 6.50 a.m. Morning mist had invaded the path and it was a holly experience for us to walk along the path. Sometimes I felt whether these estate works are managed by ghosts as we didn’t see any human till we reached the park. Little by little we were reaching the border of the park. Only decision point was the T junction which was described in the Trail guide and we took the left path. By 7.45 a.m. we reached the Ohiya – Hp paved road

Bed Tea

Mountains covered with mist

Here we Go again

T junction ………..Took the left path (waypoint KH12)

Oh this was my favourite bend

Some white marks in order to ease the driving under misty conditions

Why not have a relaxing break……….It was rewarding

Seen this for the first time

FD land marks

End of the estate and beginning of the forest

Here we are at OHIYA-HP Road ( Not to mention to take the left road )

Remember the land mark (waypoint KH13)

Path was so beautiful and we were forced by nature to walk the next 1.5 km to the ticketing office. While enjoying the scenery we reached the ticketing office around 8.15 a.m.

So this was a historic achievement for me to be at Horton’s plains for the first time. I really enjoyed this journey as well as the four other trails described in next report. Hope you enjoyed the report and till I meet you in the next report Good Bye

Misty path continues

These were very common

Life on life

Near park entrance

Here how HARIYA Celebrates his First arrival to HP

Thanks for reading!