| Year and Month | August, 2014 (23rd and 24th ) |
| Number of Days | Two days |
| Crew |
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| Accommodation | Camping at Alugal Lena |
| Transport | By Bus, Three wheeler and Walking |
| Activities | Photography and Trekking |
| Weather |
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| Route |
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| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Related Resources | |
| Author | Niroshan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
This is part of my dream trip and part of Harinda’s dream. On my way to Kehelpothdoruwegala climbing I heard about a foot pathway from Kalugala to Meemure. Harinda has noted a foot pathway from Alugal Lena to Meemure in his Alugal Lena trip. We wanted to combine these two trails and do it in two days with camping at Alugal Lena.
I would like to divide this trekking into few stretches:
- Hunnasgiriya to Thangappuwa via Corbet’s gap
- Thangappuwa to Alugal Lena
- Alugal Lena to Karambakatiya
- Karambakatiya to Na Ela
- Na Ela to Kalugala
1. Hunnasgiriya to Thangappuwa via Corbet’s gap.
We reached Hunnasgiriya town from Colombo at 10.30 am. After buying necessary things from Hunnasgiriya we called to a three wheeler to reach Thangappuwa. Weather was gloomy and it was about to rain. We have planned to meet our trekkers (Shiwa and Rajendran) at Thangappuwa. On our way we enjoyed the surrounding beauty. Though we asked to get ticket to visit at Alugal Lena from Deenstone ticket counter, they said no need. We met our trekkers in Thangappuwa at 1pm.
 View from Hunnasgiriya to Corbet’s gap: Nawenagala (1487m) covered with mist |
 View from Hunnasgiriya to Corbet’s gap: Black arrow-Kehelpothdoruwegala (කෙහෙල්පොත්දොරුවේගල). Red arrow-Garandi Gala (ගැරඩි ගල) |
 View at Corbet’s Gap: Misty peaks |
 View at Corbet’s Gap: Road to Meemure |
 View at Corbet’s Gap: Meemure will get electricity from central line through Thangappuwa in near future |
 View at Corbet’s Gap: Dumbara Valley and Kandy-Mahiyangana road shown in arrow |
 View at Corbet’s Gap: Red star-Balalgira (බලල් ගිර), Green star-, Black star-Friar’s Hood. Balalgira is a good view point. (Refer trip report ) |
 View from Corbet’s gap to Thangappuwa: Dumbanagala (දුම්බානාගල) |
 View from Corbet’s gap to Thangappuwa: Mahiyangana town |
 View from Corbet’s gap to Thangappuwa: Sorabora Wewa (සොරබොර වැව) at Mahiyangana |
After having lunch from Shiva’s place at Thangappuwa, we started the walk to Alugal Lena.
2. Thangappuwa to Alugal Lena
Foot pathway to Alugal Lena from Thangappuwa started behind the line houses of Thangappuwa. It has an initial ascent through tea patch and then few ascends and descends. We came across the foot pathways to Kotaganga Falls and Knuckles peaks in our left hand side. We were caught to a heavy rain during the walking and surrounding was occupied by thick mist following rain. Forest department has cleared the foot pathway recently and therefore no difficulty in reaching the destination. There were abundant water streams due to rain. After 3hours journey we reached Alugal Lena.
 At Thangappuwa Town. Direction board with distances – Click Image to Enlarge |
 Smiley faces |
 Initial ascent of foot pathway |
 Crossing a bridge |
 View of Thangappuwa |
 Pouring rain. This board shows kind of a resting place |
 Abundant water streams |
 Clear foot pathway |
 Foot pathway to Kota Ganga Falls (කොට ගග ඇල්ල |
 Misty forest |
 Entering to a plane where five peaks of Knuckles visible. But we were not able to see them due to mist |
 Black arrow shows the foot pathway to Knuckles peaks. White arrow to Alugal Lena |
 Having a break to remove leeches |
 First glimpse of Alugal Lena Mountain |
Alugal Lena
Alugal Lena (1515m)
Alugal Lena is situated at the base of Alugal Lena Mountain. This cave is surrounded by old Cardamom estates. Two families have lived there when cardamom estate functions well. Therefore still brick walls can be seen. Don’t know the historical background of this cave. This is an ideal place for camping. We could detect a water source just above and right hand side of the cave. Space is enough for about 20-30 people to stay.
We have spent the night at Alugal Lena and went down to Karambakatiya next day morning.
 Note-Enough space in Alugal Lena |
 Separate place for bonfire |
 Where we slept. We didn’t need a tent |
 How we got water |
 Warm up |
 Five in the journey. Left and right hand fellows are our trekkers |
3. Alugal Lena to Karambakatiya.
Foot pathway to Karambakatiya starts infront of Alugal Lena. Initially it descends sharply through cardamom bushes. Therefore it takes time to go down as need of well control. We came across a “Wadiya” (වාඩිය) where people rest when they come to pluck Enasal. Foot pathway is clear as it is frequently used. It crossed several water streams and went parallel to the main stream. We got 3hours to reach Karambakatiya where road from Hunnasgiriya to Meemure goes. We said good bye to our trekkers after this section.
 White arrow shows the foot pathway to Karambakatiya. Black arrow shows the foot pathway from Thangappuwa |
 Getting down was bit difficult |
 Old cardamom estates are still functioning. They can’t clear and put fertilizer to Enasal estate. But can pluck them |
 Cardamom |
 Peaks are getting cleared from mist. |
 Tree arch |
 Getting down from this part was bit diff cult. |
 Road side beauty |
 Reaching Enasal Wadiya. Note the foot pathway restarts behind the house |
 Tree man. |
 Another sharp descend |
 “Maussa”(මා උස්සා) plant. When this plant accidentally touches you, will develop severe itching |
 Some part of the foot pathway has been vanished due to landslides. But if you look around carefully you can find the other end of the foot path way |
 Toddy Tapping |
 A land mark. Foot pathway goes closer to this rock |
 Junction. Take right hand foot pathway |
 This is the largest water steam we came across |
 Alugal Lena Mountain. Cave is at the base of this |
 Abandoned house |
 Another junction. Take left foot pathway. (White arrow) |
 Entering to Mana area |
 Landscaping… |
 Return to civilization. Brick walls of Karambakatiya village |
 Directions. Hari (right) shows the direction to Meemure. Nirosh shows direction to Hunnasgiriya. Foot pathway to Alugal Lena is behind them. Few meters after this point towards Meemure, there was a tea shop. We had a plane tea with Kithul jaggery before our next stretch |
4. Karambakatiya to Na Ela.
This part can be done by a vehicle. Actually this is the road to Nitro cave. Though we tried to find a three wheeler to complete this stretch we couldn’t. Then we decided to walk with enjoying the scenic view of surrounding. The road goes through Kumbukgolla and then ended up at Na Ela. On our way we came across the foot pathway from Meemure to Nitro cave. (Refer trail guide). At this junction you may notice other foot pathway to Kosgolla Estate. We didn’t follow that one. I wanted to meet Sugatha Mama at Na Ela village to clarify the direction to Kalugala. He showed another foot pathway from Na Ela to Kosgolla Estate. Both foot pathways joined together at one point.
 Take first left turn with the bend when you go up towards Corbet’s gap. Concrete road towards Kumbukgolla |
 Road condition is good now up to Na Ela village. At Na Ela now they are making a parking area for vehicles which go to Nitro cave. Most probably with a ticket counter |
 Where we came. Black arrow shows Alugal Lena Kanda. Alugal Lena cave is at it’s base. Knuckles peaks most probably at the area shown by the star |
 The road winds down to Meemure. But Pusse Ela (පුස්සේ ඇල) and Kaikawala (කයිකාවල) are before Meemure |
 Knuckles massif |
 Might be one of Seven Falls of Meemure |
 Corbet’s gap/Attala Mattuwa (අට්ටාල මට්ටුව) |
 Passing Kumbukgolla village |
 Kalupahana 2/ “Hellena gala.” (කළුපහන 2/හෙල්ලෙන ගල) |
 Lakegala Zoomed |
 Important four way junction. Red arrow shows the foot pathway from Kaikawala. Yellow arrow shows Karambakatiya side. Blue arrow shows the way towards Na-Ela. Black arrow shows the foot pathway from Kosgolla estate. But we didn’t follow this pathway to Kalugala |
5. Na Ela to Kalugala.
This was the last stretch and most difficult as it took 4hours to reach Kalugala. We clarified our way from Sugatha Mama at Na Ela. He showed the foot pathway just behind the house next to his home. It ascended since beginning and reached to an open area where panoramic view of surrounding provides. Again it went up through the forest and joined with other road. Then it entered Kosgolla Estate. Though it is called Kosgolla Estate this part only has forest. We were fortunate to visit at Log Cabin of Kosgolla Estate (It is a kind of a cottage). Balcony of this Cabin had a beautiful view of Lakegala. Actually you need prior permission to enter this estate. Then we met estate manager and got permission. After passing line houses we have noticed some Enasal cultivation at this estate.
We had to pass a sharp ascend after Kosgolla estate to reach Ambalama. Following that it was a sharp descend till Kalugala. We hired a three wheeler from Kalugala to Ududumbara to get Kandy bus.
 Starting the journey behind the house |
 Climbing up |
 Beautiful view at open area |
 Lakegala is shown by star and Kalupahana 2 is shown by arrow |
 The foot pathway we followed is shown by white arrow and black arrow shows other pathway. This is the junction |
 Entering to Kosgolla Estate. There were short cuts between proper pathways at the estate. We followed them |
 Dried waterfall inside the estate |
 Log Cabin of the estate |
 Splendid view of Lakegala from Log cabin |
 Moving away from Log cabin. Then you will come across the quarters of the estate. Estate manager was there |
 Kosgolla Line houses. Pathetic situation is children at this line houses don’t go to school. Then they have to go to Kalugala (2hour climbing) to buy household things |
 Proper cardamom section of the estate |
 Passing the estate |
 Passing the estate |
 Ascending up again |
 Directions to Kosgolla Estate |
 Reaching Ambalama (අම්බලම) |
 Faces tell the tiredness of the journey |
 Descended to Kalugala |
 Kandy-Mahiyangana road is shown by black arrow |
 Mahiyangana Town and Mapakada Lake |
 Getting down |
 Flat section…. |
 Entering to Kalugala. This boutique is a land mark if you do this trail in other way round |
Pathway in summary: Black star shows the starting point at Hunnasgiriya. Followed up to Corbet’s gap/ Attalamattuwa (Red star) then to Thangappuwa-Alugal Lena trail head (Brown star). Walking from Thangappuwa to Alugal Lena and then to Karambakatiya is shown by red arrows. Green star shows starting of road from Karambakatiya to Na Ela. Purple star shows the starting point at Na Ela and Purple arrows show the pathway to Kalugala via Kosgolla Estate. Ahs star shows the end point at Ududumbara. – Click Map to Enlarge
Thanks for reading