Misty point-Ambokka (1159m) and Selagama Mini world’s end

Ambokka has three peaks. Covered with mist

It is hard to see the peak most of the time

Ambokka which is an isolated mountain situated at the border of Kurunegala-Matale districts. (Border of Wayamba-Central provinces). It is also called Kondagala කොන්ඩගල (looks like a bunch of hair) and Salagama Kanda (සැලගම කන්ද). Special feature of this mountain is, most of the time peak is wrapped by the mist. No other peaks in this area are covered by the mist like this.

Climbing Ambokka Mountain takes about 2hours.You can do it from different areas, but I hope we did it in the best way.

I joined with Anupama at Melsiripura and we drove through Galewela-Matale road. This road has fairly good public transport system. Then we came to Maningamuwa junction where the road towards famous Ambokka Paththini Dewalaya starts. After inquiring from villagers at this junction we had positive answers about climbing.

After passing stone quarry, we noticed a road towards Ambokka Cardamom Estate in left hand side. We drove along this road till it ends. Then we started the journey to the peak. (One person at this estate discouraged us it is not possible to reach the peak without a guide. But we decided to climb without a guide).

First part of the climb is a steep ascend through Mana bushes and it took around 1hour to reach the top of the Mana patch. Always climb parallel to forest patch but within Mana bushes. You will notice the peak in your right hand side. At one point you have to go through a narrow forest patch and then another Mana patch would be noticed. No foot pathway within Mana bushes.

Highest point of Mana patch means one end of this mountain edge. Second part of the climb starts towards the peak begins from here through the forest patch. We could notice less demarcated foot pathway in the forest but not in all time. Always walk parallel to the edge of the mountain. Foot pathway has Nelu bushes and thorny bushes making difficult to walk there. After 1hour walk we reached the first peak of Ambokka mountain.

Ambokka has three peaks and third one is the highest out of three.

Experience on top of Ambokka was fantastic. We were rewarded by wind and mist but it was not cold as we expected. Then you can have a nice panoramic view when mist gets clear. We could view Yakdessagala (යක්දෙස්සාගල), Dolukanda(දොලුකන්ද) , Kimbulwana Lake(කිම්බුල්වාන වැව) and other peaks of Kurunegala district. On the other side Knuckles massif, Arangala (අරoගල), Wilshire Mountain and Salagama village were seen.

We could make our return journey by one hour.

Note Ambokka Mountain. Black star shows the peak and approximate pathway we followed is shown by the black arrow. Red star shows approximate place of Selagama Mini world’s end – Click Map to Enlarge

Entering to Ambokka Village

Junction where you have to get the turn. Black arrow to the base of the mountain. Red arrow towards the village

At the end of the road. Take your way along the direction showed by the arrow to enter the Mana patch

Climbing up through the Mana patch. Always keep your direction closer to forest patch shown by the arrow

Anupama is fighting with Mana

At the top of the Mana patch. Black arrow shows Wilshire Mountain. White arrow shows Arangala peak

Now we are parallel to the peak

Nelu bushes

Reaching the peak. This is the first peak. But you can’t climb it

Yakdessagala in black arrow. Dolukanda in red arrow

Kimbulwana Lake

Knuckles mountain range. Opalgala (ඕපල්ගල) is seen

This is the third peak and highest one. You can reach there

Two man team on second peak

View of second peak from the third one

Selagama area

Summary of the pathway. Black arrow shows first half through the Mana patch, red arrow shows second half along the forest

Getting down

Yatawaththa Biso Falls.

This 4m tall waterfall is situated in Selagama tea estate. Take your return journey from Maningamuwa junction through Salagama towards Yatawaththa. Take right hand turn from Selagama lime house junction and drive up to the Kovil. Then you have to go along the Marshy land in front of the Kovil to reach the waterfall.

Biso falls has low water level and this reminded me Sera Ella because of the cave behind the waterfall.

Famous story about seven princes is related here. They committed suicide by jumping from the base of the fall.

Black arrow shows the direction to Yatawaththa, red arrow shows towards Selagama estate

Kovil and the marshy land. Arrow shows the direction towards the waterfall

Yatawaththa Biso Falls

View when you look down from the base of the waterfall

This cave can accommodate me

Biso Falls

View from the cave

Selagama Mini world’s end/ Hulangala

This mini world’s end is situated at Selagama tea estate. You have to take the left hand turn from Selagama lime house junction to reach there. They issue a ticket for vehicles and then gate is opened. You have to walk or drive about 2km from there to reach this Mini world’s end

Take down ward road to reach the Mini world’s end. There is no direction board here. Therefore you may miss the road

Now direction is shown

The drop of Selagama Mini world’s end. Maduragoda (මදුරාගොඩ) village is seen the

Mipitiyakanda (මීපිටිය කන්ද) 633.98m. Neighbor of Ambokka Mountain

Zoomed view-Maduragoda

Etipola Mountain-1265m

Highest mountain of Kurunegala District –Bisogala 823m

Black arrow shows starting of Ambokka Mountain. But this is not the peak we have reached. Red arrow shows the approximate place of Mini world’s end. Yellow arrow shows the mountain called “Nawagala” නැව්ගල-Like a ship. Actually all these in Ambokka mountain range.

Thank you for reading.