Highest 7 Mountains in Knuckles Forest Reserve.

1   Gombaniya         1906

2   Knuckles             1865

3   Yakungegala        1840

4   Alugal kanda       1808

5   Aliyawetunuela     1667

6   Kirigalpotta         1648

7   Dumbanagala      1643

Metric Map of the area

Dumbanagala seen at the top of Aliyawetunuela Kanda

Dumbanagala Plain seen at the top of Alugal Kanda

Dumbanagala view at Aliyawatunuela Kanda

Dumbanagala view at the top of Alugal Kanda

Sphnix and Dumbanagala seen at the top of Aliyawetunuela Kanda

Dumbanagala summit seen near to the Corbet Gap

Dumbanagala top seen at the top of Kehelpothdoruwegala

Zoomed vbiew of Dumbanagala from Kehelpoth

Once we are searching for a new destination we come across about the giant solider at Corbet’s Gap. The name of that giant is Dumbanagala (Dumen bara kanda). I have seen this giant several times in my knuckles hike. But I decided to climb this soon after our Aliyawetunuela hike which we had in September 2018. Further I was lucky to see the full range of Dumbanagala at the top of Alugal Kanda which we climbed on early September 2018.

However I was collected some informations and specially talked to Dumbanagala chalet and they informed me that there is no any proper foot path as well as from Dehigolla. But when I contact guide Raja, he said that there is a small foot path from Dehigolla but villagers are not frequently use that path. Then I decided to use our GPS Mapping knowledge to identify the easiest path to the top of Dumbanagala.

Journey started toward Thangappuwa Corbet Gap road

Left Dumbanagala seen on the way to Gerandigala. Right is Gerandigala fall chain

Streams on the way to CG

We turned left from the road from CG to Loolwatte

Natural Creations

Along the small plain

Walking on the plain to get enter to the forest patch

Plants we met

Walking along the wet rock face was a risk

Beautiful plain

Some more

Mushrooms

Then as per my usual findings I found the easiest path to Dumbanagala from Corbet’s Gap because I wanted to enter to that big plain which I saw clearly at Alugal Kanda. Hence I mapped the foot path on Google offline map and that is about few difference of altitude between the peak and Corbet’s Gap. However since there are no any people around the junction we thought to having a walk from Thangappuwa after we park our vehicles over there.

That was a lovely day because there was a bit shower on previous days and the path to Corbet gap from Thangappuwa was scenic. We reached to Corbet gap with in few hours and we didn’t see our destination due to the heavy mist around 9am. However as per the GPS we walked about 100m to Loolwatte side and got entered to the jungle from our left hand side. Initial jungle path is about 10 minutes hike and then we came to the plain. This plain was not only filled with grassy lands because most of places are like rocky plains. Hence we had to walk safely due to the slippery rocky plain.

Evidences for a cloud forest

Colorful Nature

Mushrooms again

Ellagala Fall seen far away

Colored trees

Getting clear the nearby mountains

Might be Sphnix or Alugal Kanda

On the way to the summit

My sister enjoying her second adventure with us

Kobonilagala seen

Zoomed view of Kobonilagala

Few more to the summit

We reached to the summit

They were there too

Familiar plants in high lands

Familiar plants in high lands

However again we entered to the jungle and followed the GPS path adjoin to the ridge of the Dumbanagala from Loolwatte side. We met with a snake (Kunakatuwa) and it was sleep well on our way and we moved to the other side safely. This path is easier as we have to go parallel to the ridge of the mountain and then we will move to the higher altitudes rather than being lost in a fresh jungle. We create our own path and within 2 hours we were able to come to the peak.

We spent many times on our way to the peak since the surrounding environment was amazing and we wanted to capture everything smoothly. We were able to see Kobonila, Sphnix I and II, Aliyawetunuela, Alugal Kanda, Dothulugala, Deanston MWE, Hetakatuwegala, Balagiriya, Nawangala, Knuckles range, Lakegala, Wamarapugala, Gerandigala, Ellagal fall and some other falls near Alugal Kanda side.

Finally we came to the top of the mountain and our Altimeter app showed the height of the mountain as 1643m. Dumbanagala is the 7th highest mountain in Knuckles reserve. There were not much space at the top of the mountain but there was a clear place to stay for 20-30 people and a place to camp. Camping at the top of Dumbanagala is not easy due to the rocks and slopes. Peak was fully covered by Pigmi forest as we noticed this habit at the most of peaks which are height over 1500m.

Towards Kumbukgolla, Naela and Karambaketiya

Towards Gerandigala side

She is resting

Meemure side of the Gerandigala

Deanston MWE, Dothalugala and Kobonilagala seen

Alugal Kanda getting clear

Im at the top of Dumbanagala

Pigmi trees at the top of Dumbanagala

Styles of Clouds

Loolwatte village

We spent about 1 hour at the top and identified some more mountains and waited to see some peaks due to the mist. Since there was a rain previous day’s most of peaks are still covered by mist. We saw Loolwatte, Dehigolla, Kumbukgolla, Karambaketiya, Meemure, Kalugala, Ududumbara side as well as Mahiyanganaya side too.

After that we got down through the same route and it just got about 1 hour since we didn’t stopped at anywhere.

Kinihira gala I which is situated on the way to Thangappuwa from CG

Kinihira gala I seen

Balagiriya mountain and Ellagala fall

Dumbanagala Chalet, Balagiriya and Ellagala fall and towards Udadumbara

Balagiriya and Deanstion MWE and the middle for VRR mountains

Another view of it

Getting back to the plain

The road from CG to Meemure

Alugal Kanda

Reaching back to the plain

Kinihira Gala I

Kinihiragala I and Kinihiragala II (Sphnix Rock)

Sphnix Rock, Note the black marks where we came on our attempt to Sphnix from Aliyawetunuela side

Next target

Road to Dumbanagala Chalet

Height of Dumbanagala

Gtting closer to the summit

We at the Summit

Summit of Dumbanagala in Terrain view

Dumbanagala Chalet, Balagiriya, Ellagala, Hetakatuwegala, Deanston MWE, Dothalugala, Kobonila in a Panorama

Kobonila, Kinihira I, Aliyawetnuela, Kinihira II (Sphnix), Knuckles 5 peaks and Alugal Kanda

Thanks for reading!

Sobasiri Team © 2018

When I was travelling to Dambulla for Yakkuragala hike I was suddenly saw this small rock and quickly turned to the sub road and parked the bike at the nearest house. And I got some informations about the nature of the place and any foot path and started my solo hike to the rock. This was having many historical backgrounds related to Danbadeniya kingdom.

I think this is the shortest hike in my life as I finished entire hike within 20 minutes. I just quickly ran through the foot path and came to the starting point of the staircase. That was not an easy climb due to the steepness and the windy environment. However I came to the top and had some photographs and observed more mountains so far.

After that I got down from the rock and came to the bike. I think it is not easy to get down from there rather than climb it. However climbing on rainy days will be a big trouble and this climb is not suitable for the people who are not much confident for climbing like this.

After that while I continue my travel to Dambulla I saw two peaks situated in left hand side. I turned to a small carpet road which goes parallel to the cancel and ride up to a small junction where there were few people and I asked informations about those mountains. A Mountain situated on the paddy is called Moragasgoda Kanda and the other one have like two peaks and it’s Kotagala kanda. Since I don’t have much time to conquer these peaks I searched for some more details such as looking for the risks and ability of conquering them. Fortunately I found a person who told me some information about the hike and I have visited Moragasgoda kanda since it was bit easy and close to the road. However I was added Kotagala kanda my list and hope we will find a day to climb these small mountains in 2019.

Thanks for reading!

Turn right at Dambadeniya

View of the Mountain

Waduwa Ketu Gala

Turn right near to this house

Path begning from the house to the peak

Close view of the peak

Its small but dangerous

At the bottom of the stone staircase

Begning

Have to climb

Helpers

Surrounding

The relation

Looking back the way I followed

So many mountains far a way

Wide beauty

Reaching to the top

Time for a selfie

Turn left to Kotagala road

On the way to Kotagala Kanda

Mountain over the paddy

Kotagala Kanda

Closer view of the mountain

Another peak over the paddy

Moragasgoda Kanda

Paddies

Adjoing canel

Canel became bit wide

Both in one screen

Over the paddies

Scenic path

Kotagala Kanda seen to main road

Both seen to main road

Anothe view

Dolukanda and more

As per my view Thangappuwa is the most beautiful village rather than Meemure. Because this innocent village still under traditional and village life style. There are several houses and about 3 retail shops and a school too. This environment is still fresh and clear. There were 2 streams flows through the village.

Their main job is tea, farming and guiding tourists. People are very generous and kind hearted. The closest mountain to this village is Kobonilagala. Apart from it village is close to Aliyawetunuela and Thangappuwa Kanda both are above 1600m.

We visited Thangappuwa for several times and last year we went there for three times. For Kobonilagala, Aliyawetunuela and Dumbanagala hikes. Perdel fall is a small fall situated near to the village and it can see on the way to Liyanagahapala to Thangappuwa foot path.

It’s about 6km from Thangappuwa to Corbet’s Gap via a road which is currently like abundant. Only 4X4, Safari jeeps, Motor Bicycles, Three Wheels, Lorries and Cycles can go from this road. If someone coming to Meemure from Kandy, this is the closest path to Meemure via Thangappuwa. Due to the road difficulty no one use this path except for cycling. On rainy days or soon after a rainy season whole the road will looks like a stream.
As we experiences on January the road was bit dried. But in November when we walk Thngappuwa to Corbet Gap the entire road was totally wet. There were plenty of streams and mini falls along the road. It’s a beautiful experience to have in Knuckels reserve.

This road is the source to Aliyawetunuela, Kobonilagala and Sphnix I hikes. Further a hotel will be opened soon near to Corbet Gap.

Thanks for reading!

Sobasiri Team © 2018

Sun risign over Kobonila Mountain

Its belongs to Perdel division

A Main destination at the village

Tony ayya ready to the walk

Thangappuwa Village

Pardel Fall in 20.01.2018

Full view in 2018

Slow shutter

Perdel fall in January 2018

Its like bit dried in 2018

Perdel fall

Perdel in 10.11.2018

Same fall at the year end

Stunning view of it

Perdel fall in November 2018

Full view of it

Third eye capture

Hike-started-to-Corbets-Gap

Path is fully clear

Safari jeeps and 4×4 vehicles can easily go

Scenic path

A stream with falls

Deep forest

Environment Beauty

Environment Beauty

Path is stll like same

Fulfill with streams every where

This road is like a stream

Brother and Sister on walk

Another beauty

Captured but bit blured

Totally wet

Path	Path in January 2018

In January path was bit dried

Deep Forest

Mushrooms

Maintained by Nature

Side view of Dumbanagala

Dark Forest

There were leeches

A small Kovil

Flowers

A beautiful stream we met

Mountains towards Sphnix I

Beauty of Spiders

Path under the mist

Gloomy path

Butterflies too

Covered by Mist

Some friends are following us

Seasonal fall on the way

Another seasonal beauty

Captured in 2018

Photo taken in Jan 2018 but this was still under construction

another beauty

View-from-Corbets-Gap

Corbets-Gap-under-mist-in-November-2018

.

Blue summit point

In 2014 when I hiked Gombaniya I did note this magnificent giant called Yakkunge hela and ever since that day I wanted to conquer it so It was pushed up the list on 2019 and It didnt fail my expectations.

Gombaniya seen from Thunhisgala

As seen from Gombaniya

As seen from Gombaniya

Yakkunge hela as seen from laggala

We reached Hulu ganga at around 7.30a.m. and headed towards Alakolle waththa where we halted our vehicle. It was a long walk towards Rathnathenna and just before Rathnathenna we decided to climb the mountain along its Southern ridge. Our choice was a good one because we found a clear cut path after few hundred feet of trekking. There were some intermittent bamboo and Nelu which we exited at one point to enjoy a clear view of knuckles forest range. After the exit point it was a continues gradual ascend along the ridge through Pygmy forest with breath taking views.

on the way to rathna thenna

kelebokka seen

sri pada seen

Yakkunge hela

entering

the path

Alakole

nearby peak

towards kandy

Clear sight of gombaniya

Knuckles

knuckles seen over selva kanda

gap btw gombaniya and yakkunge hela

many false peaks

sripada and HP

.

another peak

sripada over hanthana

hunnasgiriya

Naran aththa oya valley

.	enasal division

Rathnagiriya

.

main peak covered with mist

.

Victoria

.

drop

.

binara

.

true summit

One needs to be cautious on his steps because one small slip will take you 2000ft downhill. Along the ridge passing few false peaks we reached the true summit which had a shady section. We spent few hours waiting till few landmarks cleared off and it paid off. This is a good view point towards East but sadly the eastern regions were covered by mist. Main landmarks were Knuckles, Alu gal kanda, Duhuwili ella, Dumbanagala, Gerandigala, Aliya wetuna ela, Kehelpathdoruwa, Yahangala, Lakegala, Vamarapugala, Rehena ketu pathana, Ginikeliya pathana, Asweddum pathana, Kalu ganga, Naranaththa oya, Iluk pathana, Walpolamulla kumburu, Rambukolouwa kumburu, Manigala, Ethanwala, Sudu gala, Reverston, Kalu ganga reservoir, Moragahakanda reservoir, Karagastenna, Gammaduwa, Arangala, Menikdena, Beliya kanda, Ambokka, Kirigalpoththa, Gombaniya range, Hunnasgiriya, Hanthana, Ambuluwawa, Kabaragala, Samanala kanda, Piduruthalagala, Namunukula and many more

.

top

Kukulagala and mahakudugala + piduruthalagala at the backdrop

ambuluwawa and kabaragala

victoria and beyond

alugal len kanda

summit view

namunukula seen

pano

Iluk pathana

yakkunge hela junior

Kalu ganga reservoir

mist

Gammaduwa and karagasthenna

Karagasthenna

,

.

gammaduwa and menikdena

lakegala meemure peak

.

pettigala

Dhuwili ella

new laggala town

Kirigalpoththa and ambokka at the backdrop

summit view

vamarapu gala

Ginikeliya pathana and asweddum pathana

Walpolamulla kumbura

Rambukoluwa kumburu

.	valley of naranaththa oya

thunhisgala

.

.	Etanwala and Mulkirigala gap

.	arangala beyond the tower and beliya kanda far away

moragahakanda

moragahakanda covered by mist

Rehena ketu pathana

waterfall plunging from ginikeliya pathana

.	knuckles, alugal kanda, dumbanagala, gerandigala

.	Manigala different view

note walpolamulla lake

sudugala

thunhisgala

After enjoying landmarks we descended along the northern ridge which was a bad idea. The short bamboo was not helpful at all and finally we reached the valley close to the base of Gombaniya which we followed downhill until we reached Rathnathenna resort.We refreshed our selves at that point and left towards Alakolle division to reach our halted car. This was one of the most awaited hikes for me and now I feel contempt.

.

.

slope of yakkunge hela

the gap

misty gap towards thelgamu oya origins

where we were

.	natures magic

.	Rathna thenna

From last few years we donate school items to rural school. This year also we arranged to  donate school items &  selected 2 most rural schools in Madolsima area. First one is Kohonawala School & other one is Galwelagama School. We planed first visit to Kohonawala school on November 30th. We started our journey on 11.00 p.m on 29th November. Our aim was reach to Madolsima before 6.00 a.m. But we faced big problem when our van broke down at Bandarawela. Hiring a another van is a only option. At last we found a van & transferred all cargo to it. Two of our crew waited at Bandarawela town to repair the van. We started our journey again & reached to Madolsima around 8.30 a.m. Friend of ours contacted OIC of Madolsima Police Station & informed about our journey. He agreed to arrange facility to us having breakfast & wash there. First we went to Madolsima Police Station & had bread with curries as quick breakfast  , which we took from home. After having that we rushed to Kohonawala because we knew that we were late & we have to pass very tough route. Our aim was reached to school quick possible time , because we knew that little ones waiting for us. Again we faced a problem , the estate road under construction & vehicles can’t go to the turning point to the school at main road. Therefore we have to start our journey before 1.5 k.m’s from turning point to school. We took the all stuff & start our journey around 9.15 a.m. From morning there was little rain & heavy mist. When we passed little distance whole area covered by mist & faced big difficult to tackle the route. With raining water streams started from every where. We were unable to wait for rest because we faced heavy attacks from leaches. If we wait attacks will get double. Every ones had 2 – 3 bags on their shoulders & have some gift items in their hands. Path was very slippery & dangerous condition on raining time. But how ever we mange to overcome all the difficulties & reach to the target. Finally we came to the school around 1.15 p.m after very tuff & tired journey. Till that time little ones waiting for us. We quickly changed our cloths there & start to distribute school items to students. Principle & one teacher in this school.  We gave school bag, writing books for whole year, water bottle, lunch box, pencils & other stationery items for each student. Also donate sports items & stationery items for school. Also we gave same items sets to other students in the village ( Grade 5 – 10 ). Also we gave past papers & answer book sets to O/L students. After distributing all items to students finally we gave pack of sweets to each student. They highly happy for it. Gift items for other students in the village we handover to the principle & he agreed to distribute it on later. We had memorable good time with them & kids were in very happy about their gifts. The principle arranged his teacher’s home for our accommodation. After finishing every thing we went to teacher’s house with him. Again we have to go another 2 km’s walk through water ways & bushes. We reached there around 3.30 p.m. As soon as we reached there we went to nearby water way & had a good time there. That surely big cure for our tiredness. After having dinner we went to sleep early with thinking of next day morning tuff & difficult climbing.  We completed a day with lots of unforgettable happy memories.

Thanks for reading.

Sanjeewa

Morning views at Ella – Passara road

.

.

.

.

,

Misty morning near Madolsima

.

Wet morning at Madolsima town

.

Madolsima area map at Police station

Starting long & tuff journey

Name board at road

.

.	Going through misty road

Everywhere mist

Very difficult part – “Padi deseeya”

Having some rest

.

On the way

Evidence of attack

Now can see the surrounding

.

.

.

Again school name board

Waiting still no sign of school

Finally came to school

.

Preparing gift items

Kids patently waiting

Principle’s welcome speech

Distributing school items

.	Donate sports items

Donate stationery items to school

Happy faces

Happy faces

Checking gift pack of sweets

.

.

.	Principle & students

Happy little ones

Starting journey again to resting place

Passing waterways

Finally came to teacher’s home

Kamburagala is a funny shape mountain situated at Maduru Oya (මාදුරු ඔය) NP in Ampara District. (Maduru Oya NP spreads into both Polonnaruwa and Ampara districts). Metric map marked it as Kamburagala and it’s highest point has rocks seems like an erected penis. Therefore some locals (mainly military boys) named it as “Topa Gala” (ටොපාගල) which is the lay term for the fore part of Penis.

Kamburagala (400m). How it is seen to Aralaganwila-Maha Oya road.

Highest point of Kamburagala is seen as an erected penis. Therefore it is called as “Topa Gala”

Closer appearance of “Topa”

It would be nicely appearing when you travel along Manampitiya-Aralaganwila-Maha Oya road (B507) through Maduru Oya NP (This is the shortest way to reach Maha Oya from Polonnaruwa). My first experience of this rock was when I was at Omanugala. Later I had repeated visits at this area to climb famous Dhanigala (ධානිගල) and it was another chance to observe this rocky mountain.

How Kamburagala is seen to Omanugala

How Kamburagala is seen to Omanugala

View of Kamburagala when we were at Dhanigala

Kamburagala in metric map

Kamburagala in Google map

I had some plans to hike this mountain before I left Polonnaruwa in latter part of 2017, but it didn’t work. After several cancellation I was able to put a date with some of my old colleagues at Polonnaruwa.
It was about one and half years after leaving this beautiful area. After map reading I realized this hike as an easy one. Kamburagala is situated on right side of the main road. It’s base is situated about 1km from the main road and we had to walk along an open area with shrubs to reach the base of this rock. It was quite late start around 11am due to unavoidable reasons. After passing the plain with shrubs we have entered typical dry zone forest with boulders.

Kamburagala and surrounding plain

Towards the base of Kamburagala

Scattered bones of an Elk

Probably hunted by a Leopard. This area is known for Leopards.

There were number of stagnant water sources at this plain.

එරමිණියා

අලි හක්ක

Just before enter to dry forest

Next part of the hike happened through dry forest. It was a great relief to escape from afternoon heat. It was a continuous easy ascend till you reach the peak. We had few breaks during the journey. Google map was our guide to find the highest point of the rock. By 12.30noon we have reached the highest point of Kamburagala where this awkward rocks situated.

Enter to dry zone forest

Boulders and shaded by giant trees

Along the rock…

It was a continuous ascend

Window view of Aralaganwila-Maha Oya road and Danigala

There were number of caves

Nice rock formation

A break….

A break….

Mushrooms

Mushrooms

දැවැන්තයෝ

Use of creepers for hike

Closed observation of this awkward rock (Penis / Topa) revealed it consists of three rocks in 90 degree angle. But it is not possible to get on to this rock. Summit of Kamburagala provides 360 degree view towards surroundings. We were able to watch Omanugala, Narakamulla area, Thoppigala, NDK Lake (Nagolle De Kodiunne), Dimbulagala, Dhanigala range, Maduru Oya reservoir, Kuda Sigiriya-Dehiaththakandiya, Unukirigala (the rock situated behind Rathkinda-Ulhitiya reservoir) Kokagala and Padiyathalawa area, Henanigala, Ampara and Maha Oya area etc. I was not able to identify second line mountains as there was some haziness around. There was a small cave (enough for three or four people) just at the base of this rock.

Closer view of “Topa”. Note three rocks are set in 90 degree angle to form this awkward rock.

Closer view

Closer view

It is not possible to get on this

How it is placed….

Gap between rocks

කොල්ලාකඩ

View from top of Kamburagala

Omanugala with two rocks

We were there- Omanugala

Rocks at Narakamulla. This was the area where LTTE terrorists had a base camp in war. Famous Thoppigala is shown by arrow.

Closer view

NDK lake- . Kawudagala is seen in right side faintly.

Manampitiya-Aralaganwila-Maha Oya road (B507)

Maduru Oya reservoir, Dam, Danigala and Pimburaththawa Lake.

Maduru Oya reservoir and Dam

Maduru Oya reservoir.

Kuda Sigiriya-Dehiaththakandiya over Maduru Oya reservoir

Dimbulagala and Danigala

Islet of Maduru Oya

Islet of Maduru Oya

Unknown

Kokagala and Padiyathalawa area

Towards Ampara and Maha Oya

Towards Maha Oya and Ampara. Henanigala is seen.

Unukirigala-the rock next to Rathkinda-Ulhitiya reservoir

The road and area we crossed to reach the mountain.

A lorry at Aralaganwila- Maha Oya road. Note cattle in one side of the road seen as black dots. Earlier it was illegal to feed cattle at a NP. Now the government has given permission.

Just beneath the drop….

What a place to stay… The cave at base of the rock.

View from the cave. Towards Omanugala

View from the cave. Towards Omanugala

I am at the cave

A jump on top of Kamburagala

Susantha is with the rock

With my colleagues

At base of Glans penis rock

It is an achievement of another dream

When we were on top of Kamburagala

We spent about an hour on top of Kamburagala and say good bye to this funny shaped rock. It took only about forty five minutes to reach the road from top of Kamburagala. It was another achievement of long awaited dream.

Famous Dhanigala rock is situated next to Kamburagala. I have been there thrice (two unsuccessful attempts and one successful attempt). This is the high time to come in a description of Dhanigala.

Kandegama rock / Dhanigala (=280m)
Kandegama rock / Danigala rock is situated in Aralaganwila-Kandegama area. It is an archeology reserve situated at border of Maduru Oya NP. Two rocks supporting Maduru Oya dam are Danigala / Kandegama and Kamburagala. While Kamburagala is situated in Ampara district, Danigala / Kandegama is situated in Polonnaruwa district. Maduru Oya is the boundary of two districts.
Danigala / Kandegama became popular in 2017 due to Derana Travel with Chathura programme. They have highlighted the circular rock situated at one end of Danigala range and mentioned it as an alien mountain. Thereafter it has become a popular hiking destination.
Dhananjay RMW (ධනoජය රජමහා විහාරය) is situated at base of Danigala / Kandegama rock.

Geography of the area. Large circle indicates Kandegama / Danigala rock. It’s popular circular part is shown by the arrow. You can notice Maduru Oya dam is extending from this rock. In metric map they have marked the rock at the other end of the dam as Dangala. Click image to enlarge.

Danigala / Kandegama rock is seen to Maha Oya road. It’s circular part is seen in right end.

Circular part of Danigala rock in Google map.

In closed observation of this rock would reveal it as a range. Approach to the area with circular part from two directions: One can start from Dhananjay RMW (Kandegama cave temple) side and other one is from Kandegama archeology site. Kandegama archeology site is the newly preserving site by archeology department. We have started from Kandegama archeology site. Soon we entered the forest and followed a fainted foot path towards the rock. If someone starts from RMW side, will come across the cave with reclined Buddha statue. We also had a chance to visit there with guidance of our guide.
According to previous reports this Buddha statue belongs to 2nd century. (Don’t know B.C or A.C)

Kandegama archeology site. This site is still restoring.

How Danigala is seen to archeology site

Closer view…

Get into dry zone forest.

The cave with reclined Buddha statue. This was a target of treasurer hunters.

Middle of Buddha statue.

Foot of the statue.

The brick wall

Archeology mark

A cave

90 degree angle

After visiting the cave with Buddha statue we came back to initial foot pathway. Actually the rock with circular part is separated from rest of the range and this border is the place to get on to this circular rock. The top of the rock was seems as almost flat and we have moved to the eastern edge where surrounding view can get.

Back to foot pathway

Last bit of continuous hike…

Giants

Get on to the rock

The forest covering on top of the rock

On top of the rock

Towards the edge

Reaching the edge of Danigala rock

The eastern edge of the rock provides beautiful view towards surrounding. We were able to identify Omanugala, Narakamulla area, NDK Lake, Thoppigala, Maha Oya-Aralaganwila road, Kandegama temple (situated at base of the rock), Kamburagala / Topagala, Maduru Oya reservoir, Kokagala etc. There was a ridge of rock on top of Dhanigala giving rise circular appearance in pictures taken by the drone. A small transmission tower was placed on top with a solar panel to get electricity. We took about one and half hours to get on the top and return journey happened in about fort five minutes.

Surrounding view from top of Dhanigala

Surrounding view from Dhanigala

Omanugala and NDK Lake

NDK Lake

Kamburagala / Topagala

Towards Maha Oya area

Aralaganwila-Maha Oya road

Closer view

Small section of Maduru Oya is seen between these two mountains. Maduru Oya dam is built in between these two rocks. Kokagala is seen far away.

Narakamulla area. Thoppigala is seen far.

Surrounding view

A small village at bank of the lake

NDK Lake

Dhananjay RMW is situated at base of the rock

Dananjaya RMW is situated at base of the rock

Priests at temple

Nearby Chena

On top of Danigala rock

The team on top….

On top of Dhanigala

On top of Dhanigala

On top of Dhanigala

This ridge of rock giving the circular appearance

This ridge of rock giving the circular appearance

On top of Dhanigala

A solar panel to get electricity to a transmission towers

Transmission towers

The drop

Eagerly looked at us…

Dhanigala / Kandegama is a range of mountains and once we tried to get on top of Dhanigala from Maduru Oya side. This journey started from Maduru Oya fishery village. Actually we just wanted to camp on the rock rather than reaching the other end (circular end). This is just to share the pictures taken on that camping trip.

Arrow shows the circular part of Kandegama rock and star shows the place where we camped.

Maduru Oya reservoir and Kamburagala

Maduru Oya dam

Fishing at Maduru Oya

View of Kamburagala

Elephants at Maduru Oya

One end of Dhanigala we climbed…

Straightway along the rock

This arrow indicates this area might be using for training army soldiers.

View of Maduru Oya

Kuda Gala-“Punchi Sigiriya”

Unukirigala-the giant next to Rathkinda-Ulhitiya reservoir.

Kokagala

Rest

ගලපිට ගල

Sun set

Camp fire

Camp fire

සද්දන්තයා

Pigs at fishery village

Thanks for reading

නාරංගමුවේ ලකේගල තරණය කළ දුෂ්කර දවසක්

ලකේගල යනු දෙස් විදෙස් සංචාරකයින් අතර ප්‍රචලිත කන්දක් බව නොඅනුමානය. ඊට කදිම නිදසුන නම් ත්‍රිකෝණාකාර කන්දේ පිහිටීම වැනි පිහිටීමක් ලංකාවේ වෙනත් කිසිදු කන්දක දක්නට නොමැති අතර කඳු නැගීම (Rock Climbing) ක්‍රමය භාවිත කරන්නට සිදුවන එකම කන්දද වනුයේ ලකේගලයි. ලකේගලේ මෙම සුවිශේෂී පිහිටීම දැකිය හැකි හොඳම ස්ථානය වනුයේ මීමුරේ ගම්මැද්දයි. සාම්ප්‍රදායික දුම්බර මිටියාවතේ ගමක් ලෙස අතීතයේ පැවතිය ද වර්තමානය වන විට මීමුරේ යනු දැඩි ලෙස වාණිජකරණයට ලක් වූ ගැමි බව වියැකී යන ගම්මානයකි. නමුත් මේ ලියමන මීමුරේ ලකේගල පිටුපස පිහිටි එවැනිම කඳු ගැට දෙකක් පිළිබඳවය. සමස්තයක් ලෙස මීමුරේ ලකේගල මීරියගොල්ල කන්ද සහ නාරංගමුවේ ලකේගල නම් වූ ගල් තුන තරණය පිළිබඳවයි.

Narangamuwa Temple

Destination Seen

Blessed Destination

At Temple

Zoomed view of Narangamuwe Lake and Meeriyagolla

Journey started

Entering to the Jungle

දුම්බර වන පෙත යනු නැගෙනහිර සිට බටහිර දක්වා පිළිවෙළින් වෙලන්ගල කන්ද යහන්ගල කෙහෙල් පොක්දෝරුවේගල, ගැරඬිගල, දුම්බානාගල සේම බටහිර සිට උතුරට පිළිවෙළින් අලුත්ගල් කන්ද, අලියා වැටුණු ඇල, නකල්ස් කඳු වැටිය, රිලගල කන්ද, සෙල්වකන්ද, යකුන්ගේහෙල, ගොම්බානියා සහ කිරිගල් පොත්ත කන්ද සේම නැගෙනහිර සිට උතුරට පිළිවෙළින් තෙලඹුගල, උහුනුගල, ලකේගල, වමාරපුගල, ගිනිකෙළිය පනත සේම බටහිර සිට ඉහළින් නැගෙනහිරට සුදුගල, ලාහුමානාගල, රත්මැටිය, මානිගල ආදී දැවැන්ත කඳු රාශියකින් සමන්විත මධ්යම පළාතේ උතුරු බෑවුමේ පිහිටි ජල පෝෂක අඩවියක. මීට අමතරව ගැරඬිගල දිය ඇළි දාමය, බඹරගත් ඔය දිය ඇළි දාමය, හසලක ඔය දිය ඇලි දාමය, දූවිලි දිය ඇලි දාමය, හුළුගඟ දිය ඇළි දාමය ලෙස පනහකට අධික දිය ඇළි සහ දිය පහරවල් පිහිටි ඉසව්වකි.

Beautiful Paddies

Desination over the Paddies

Wild NAture

We are coming

මේ සියල්ලටම වඩා නකල්ස්වල පරසිඳු වූ ගම්මානය වන මීමුරේ පිහිටි ලකේගල යනු සැවොම දැකීමට ප්‍රිය කරන කන්දකි. බැලූ බැල්මට ත්‍රිකෝණාකාර කන්දේ එක් පාදයකින් පමණක් ඉහළට නැගීමට සිදු වන නමුත් ලකේගල යනු තරණය කළ හැකි කන්දකි. මීමුරේට පෙනෙන ලකේගල පිටුපස එයටම යාවුණු තවත් කන්දක් ඇත. එය මීරියගොල්ල වන අතර එයටම යාවුණු අනෙක් කන්ද නම් කොමළෑවේ ගලීය. කොමලෑවේ ගල නාරංගමුව ගම්මානයට මුහුණලා ඇති බැවින් නාරංගමුව වැසියෝ එය හඳුන්වන්නේ නාරංගමුවේ ලකේගල ලෙසිනි. මෙම කඳු ත්‍රිත්වයම එකට යාවී ඇති බැවින් පොදුවේ ගල් තුන ලෙස ද හඳුන්වනු ලබයි. සොබාසිරි නඩය වන අප මෙම ගල් තුනම නකල්ස් හී සතර දිශාවෙන්ම දැක තිබේ. එනම් යහන්ගල සිට, වමාරපුගල සිට, අලුගල් කන්ද සිට සහ තුන් හිස්ගල සිටය. ඉන් වඩාත්ම සුන්දර දර්ශනය අපට හමු වූයේ තුන් හිස්ගල මුදුනේදීය. බොහෝ අය මීමුරේ ලකේගල එවැනිම තවත් කඳු යුගළයක් ඇති බව නොදන්නා අතර එම ගල් ත්‍රිත්වයම වෙනත් පසෙකින් දැක නොමැත. එම නිසාම අපි නාරංගමුව ලකේගල සහ මීරියගොල්ල කන්ද නාරංගමුවේ සිට එක් දිනකින් තරණය කිරීමට සැලසුම් කළෙමු.

නකල්ස් යනු මධ්යම පළාතට අයත් වනපියසක් වුවද මහනුවර හා මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික්ක දෙකේම පිහිටා ඇත. එබැවින් මීමුරේ ගම අයත් වනුයේ මහනුවර දිස්ත්‍රික්ක දෙකෙහි මායිම වන නමුත් එය අයත් වන්නේ මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික්කයටයි. ලකේගල තරණය කිරීම යනු අංශක 70 කට ආසන්න නැගීමක් නැගීමයි. මේ සඳහා කඹ ආධාර කර ගත යුතු වුවද කිසිවෙකුත් ස්ථිර වශයෙන් කඹ දමා මේවා සකසා නොමැත. එබැවින් ගමේ මඟ පෙන්වන්නෙකු සමග ගිය ද ඔවුන්ට කඹ දැමීමට කන්ද මුදුනට නැගීමට වනු ඇත. එබැවින් අපි ද අප සතුව තිබූ ආත්ම විශ්වාසය මත පදනම්ව වසර ගණනක අවදානම්වලට මුහුණ දුන් අත්දැකීම මත පදනම්ව නාරංගමුවේ ලකේගල සහ මීරියගොල්ල කඳු කඹ රහිතව තරණය කිරීමට සැරසුණෙමු.

Through Uyangomuwa

This will fulfil with water during rainy season

Uyangomuwa

Mysterious Stones and caves

Perfect Weather for us

Narangamuwe Lakegala

Some peaks

Reaching to Komala Pathana

Katukithule Kanda aka Wamarapugala

මාතලේ සිට රත්තොට පාරේ රිවස්ටන්, පිටවල පසුකොට ලග්ගල හරහා පල්ලේගමට සේන්දු වී නාරංගමුව මාර්ගයට හරහා රණමුරේ ගම්මානය පසු කොට අප නැවතුණේ නාරංගමුව පන්සල ඉදිරියෙනි. මෙම චාරිකාවට අපි සමාජ සත්කාරක වැඩසටහනක් ද ඇතුළත් කර තිබූ හෙයින් නාරංගමුව ප්‍රාථමික විදුහලට අවශ්ය පාසල් උපකරණ හා පොත් ඇතුළු ද්‍රව්ය පරිත්‍යාග කොට විදුහල්පතිතුමා මාර්ගයෙන් ප්‍රදේශයේ හොඳම මඟ පෙන්වන්නන් දෙදෙනාව ද කැටිව නාරංගමුව කුඹුරුයාය ඉහත්තාවේ පිහිටි ගුරු පාර දිගේ ගොස් වන ළැහැබට ඇතුළු වුණෙමු. මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික්කයට අයත් නාරංගමුව යනු මීමුරේ මෙන් සංචාරක ආකර්ෂණය ඇති පෝෂිත ගම්මානයක් නොවෙයි. ඉතාමත් වියළි කාලගුණයක් වසරේ වැඩි කාලයක් පවතින අතර සුළං ප්‍රවාහය ද මෙම ප්‍රදේශයේ ඉතාමත් අධිකය. මෙහි පිහිටි එකම විදුහලේ වහලය ද අප යන විටත් සුළඟට කැඩී තිබුණු බව දුටු අතර ගම්වැසියෝ ද ඉතා ළෙංගතු උදවිය වූහ.

නාරංගමුවට ඉතාමත් සුන්දරව කොමලෑවේ ගල සහ මීරියගොල්ල දැක ගත හැකි අතර එම සුන්දර කඳු යුගලය මීමුරේ සිට ලකේගල බලනවාටත් වඩා සුන්දරව අපට පෙනුණි. බැලූ බැල්මට එම කඳු නැගීම දුෂ්කර බව පෙනෙන්නේ කන්දේ හැඩය සහ විශාලත්වය නිසාවෙනි. පසෙකින් කටු කිතුලේ කන්ද හෙවත් වමාරපුගල ලෙස හඳුන්වන කන්ද තිබූ අතර එම ප්‍රදේශය හරහා දූවිලි ඇලි දාමයටත් ගිනිකෙළිය පතනටත් යා හැකිය. නාරංගමුවේ සිට මීමුරේට අඩි පාරක් පවතින නමුත් එය බොහෝ විට ගම්වැසියන් පමණක් භාවිත කරන්නක් විය.

කෙසේ හෝ අප අඩි පාර ඉවරව වනයට අවතීර්ණ වූ පසු මඟ පෙන්වන්නේ පෙරමුණ ගන්නේ ඔවුන්ට මෙම කැලයේ අස්සක් මුල්ලක් නෑරම පුරුදුව සිටි හෙයිනි.

එම නිසාම අපගේ ගමන ඉක්මනින් සිදු වුණි. මුල් හරියේ දළ නැග්මක් තිබූ අතර තුරුලතා මැදින් ඉදිරියට ගමන් කරන අපට කිතුලට දඩයමට යන ගම්වැසියන්ගේ තොරතුරු හා ඔවුන් සැකසූ කුඩා වාඩි දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණි. මෙසේ අඩ හෝරාවක් පමණ නැග්මක් සහිතව ගමන් කළ අප ඊළඟට පිවිසියේ සමතලා බිමකටය.

මෙම ප්‍රදේශය හඳුන්වන්නේ උයන්ගොමුව ලෙසය. අතීතයේ රාම රාවණා යුද්ධය තිබූ ලකේගල ප්‍රදේශයේ පිහිටි ගල් ගස් කඩා වැටුණේ මෙම ප්‍රදේශයට බවත් පසුව එම ගස් මෙම සමතලා බිම වසාගෙන නැග ගත් බවත් කියැවේ. උයන්ගොමුව යනු ඉතාමත් අලංකාර ප්‍රදේශයකි. වියළි කාලගුණය හේතුවෙන් කොළ වැටී ගස් මැළ වී තිබුණ ද වර්ෂාව සහිත කාලය මුළු උයන්ගොමුව බිමම ජලයෙන් පිරී ගිය විට කෙසේ තිබේ දැයි මට සිතුණේ එහි සුන්දරත්වය එලෙස දැකීමට මතු දිනක පැමිණීමේ අරමුණිනි. මන්දයත් උයන් ගොමුවේ ගස් පිහිටා තිබුණේ අතරින් පතරය. විශාල ගල් කුට්ටි ගල් පර්වත සහ ගුහා වැනි ප්‍රදේශ බොහෝමයක් එහි විය. තුරු පතර අතරින් බොහෝ ඈතක් වන තුරු දැක ගත හැකි විය. සමතලා බිමක ගමන් කරන්නට වූයෙන් කිසිදු වෙහෙසක් අපට නොදැනුණි.

Komala Pathana

Enjoying Photography

Wamarapugala drop

Ganesh is posing

Malith ready to climb it

Climbing it

Risky but safely

View of both peaks

Full view of Komalawegala

Having a rest

Meeriyagolla through Lambulessa Pathana

Ready to Achive, its us

කෙසේ හෝ අඩහෝරාවකටත් වඩා උයන්ගොමුවේ ගත කළේ කුඩා සිඳී ගෙන යන දිය කඩිති දිගේ එහෙ මෙහෙ ඇවිදිමින් තවදුරටත් විපරම් කරමිනි. මෙසේ ඉදිරියට යන විට දකුණු පස ඈතින් කපුඅටුව පර්වතය ඇති බව දුටු අතර එහි ඇති ගුහාව වෙත අප නැවත එන ගමනේදී යාමට තීරණය කළෙමු. උයන්ගොමුව පසු කළ අපි අනෙක් පස කඳු ගැටයට පිවිස එය දිගේ වනය හරහා නැගීමට පටන් ගත්තෙමු. මෙම ප්‍රදේශවලට ගම්මුන් පැමිණෙන බවට සාධක අපට දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණු අතර කිතුලට යනු පිණිස ගමන් ගත් ගම්වැසියෙකු ද අපට හමු වුණි.

හෝරාවක පමණ ගමනකින් පසු අපි විවෘත ප්‍රදේශයකට ළඟා වුණෙමු. එය ලඳු කැලයක් වූ අතර දැඩි වියළි පරිසරයක් අපට දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණි. බොහෝ කාලයකින් වැහි බිඳක් නොලත් විවෘත ප්‍රදේශය හරහා ඉදිරියට ගිය අප නැවතුණේ කොමළපතන මතය. මෙතැනට අප නාරංගමුවේ දී දුටු දැවැන්ත පර්වත යුගලය ඉතා ආසන්නයෙන් දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණේ තවත් සුළු මොහොතකින් ඒවා තීරණය කිරීමට අප සැරසිය යුතු හෙයිනි. කොමළ පතනට වමාරපුගල, උඩ වන්නිමාන ගල, තුන්හිස්ගල අලුගල් කන්ද කිණිහිර ගල දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණු අතර මොරගහකන්ද ජලාශය දක්වා නාරංගමුවට එහායින් කෙත්වතු සරුසාර වැව් සමග දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණි. මෙම ප්‍රදේශයට එපිටින් රැහැස්ස නම් ඉසව්ව පිහිටා ඇති අතර එය රාමා විදි හී සර කොමලෑවේ ගලේ වැදී ඉන් කැඩී ගිය ගල් කැබලි ගල් පර්වත පිහිටි ප්‍රදේශය ලෙස හඳුන්වයි. මන්ද සත්ය වශයෙන්ම රැහැස්ස නම් ප්‍රදේශයේ ඇත්තේ විශාල ගල් කුට්ටි, ගල් කැබලි සහ ඉන් නිර්මාණය වූ ගුහා කිහිපයක් වූ හෙයිනි. කෙසේ හෝ දැන් අප සූදානම් වූයේ ගමනේ දුෂ්කරතම සහ අන්තරාදායකම කොටස තරණය කිරීමටයි.

කොමළ පතන අවසානයේ කොමලෑවේ ගල දකුණු වැටිය පටන් ගන්නා අතර එම වැටිය තනි කළු ගල් පර්වතයක් විය. එය අංශක 70 ක පමණ නැග්ගම් වූ අතර මීටර් 150 ක් පමණ ඉහළට නැගීමට අපට ඇති බව පෙනුණි. කන්දේ කෙළින් සිටගෙන යා නොහැක. දෑත් සහ දෙපා භාවිත කරමින් ගලට බරව ගමන් කිරීම සුදුසුම ක්රමය බව අපට වැටහුණි. මෙලෙස කඳු කිසිසේත්ම උඩට නැගිය නොහැකිය. එම නිසාම අපේ ගලේ ගැටි සහිත ස්ථාන සහ දළ වශයෙන් ගමන සාදා ගත්තෙමු. මීට අමතරව තවත් අනතුරක් වූයේ අධික සුළං ප්‍රවාහයයි. මෙම කාලයේ සුළඟේ වේගය ඉතා වැඩි බව අපට නාරංගමුවේ වැසියන් පවා දැනුම් දුන්නේ ගල තරණයේ දී සුළඟට විසිව පහළට වැටීමට ඉඩ ඇති නිසාවෙනි.

More to climb

At Lambulessa PAthana

Dangerous ridge of Meeriyagolla

Meeriyagolla

Little more to go

Plain over there

Through Pallegama

Photo from Lambulessa

At the top of Narangamuwe Lakegala, Wamarapugala in front

Sampath and Madusanka at the top of Komalawegala

Top of Komalawegala

Uda Wannimana and Thunhisgala

Reaching to Meeriyagolla

View from Lambulessa Pathana

Meemure Lakegala

Dr Anura is coming with Akila

අපි සියල්ලෝම කිසිදු ඉක්මන් බවකින් තොරව ප්‍රවේශමෙන් පියවර තබන්නට වීමු. මුළුමනින්ම පාහේ ගලට බරව දෑත ද තබා ගල් ගැට්ටවල් අල්ලාගෙන අපි ඉදිරියට නැග්ගෙමු. විටෙක තද සුළඟ එන විට ගලට ෙහ්ත්තු වී සිට අතර අපගේ කර තිබූ බෑග සියල්ල කඳු පාමුල තබා පැමිණියේ ඒවා ගමනට බාධා විය හැකි බැවිණි. මීටර් 50ක් ගියවිට කුඩා ගල් දෙබොක්කාවක් හමු වූ අතර ඒ ඔස්සේ තවත් දුර නැගත්තේ එය තරමක් පහසු වූ නිසාවෙනි. කෙසේ නමුත් සුළං ප්‍රවාහය මැද අපි සෙමින් කන්ද නැග්ගත් පසු ලඹුලැස්ස පතනට ළඟා වූයෙමු. ලඹුලැස්ස පතන යනු කොමලෑවේ ගල සහ මීරියගොල්ල අතර පිහිටි පතනටයි. එය ගල් දෙකට අතර මැද පිහිටි මාන පඳුරු බහුල පතනකි. ඒ දෙපසම දරුණු හෙල වූ අතර අපි ප්‍රථමයෙන් මාන පඳුරු යාය පීරගෙන කොමලෑවේ ගලට යෑමට පටන් ගත්තෙමු. කොමලෑවේ ගල නොහොත් නාරංගමුව ලකේගල මුදුන ඉතා පටු වැඩියෙන් ඉඩ කඩක් රහිත ඉසව්වකි. වමාරපු ගලට මුහුණ තිබුණු එම ගලට අප පැමිණ ඉසව්ව සහ නාරංගමුව සේම අංශක 360 ක නකල්ස් වන පෙතේ සතර දිග් භාගයම දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණි.

දුඹුරු පැහැ ගැන් වූ මාන පඳුරු හේතුවෙන් වේළී ගිය ගලේ ගල් කැබලි පෑදී තිබුණි. එම නිසාම ඉහළට නැගීමේදී සහ පහළට බැසීමේදී අපි වඩාත් සුපරික්ෂාකාරී වුණෙමු. කොමළෑවේ ගල බැස ගත් අපි නැවතත් ලඹුලැස්සට පැමිණියෙමු. මෙතැන සිට අනෙක් පස පිහිටි මීරියගොල්ල ගලට නැගීමට පෙර පරිදිම මාන පඳුරු යාය පීරමින් ඉහළට නැග ගත යුතුය. එය කොමලෑවේ ගල නැග්ගාට වඩා තරමක් අපහසු වූයේ කටු වැල් කිහිපයක් සහ ගල් කැබලි පිරුණු මාන පඳුරු හේතුවෙනි. ලිස්සීමට අවධානමක් තිබූ බැවින් අපි වඩාත් ප්‍රවේශමෙන් ගමන් කරමින් ද එසේ අනෙක් ගමනාන්තය වූ මීරියගොල්ල කන්දට පැමිණියෙමු.

Bhagya is posing with Lakegala

Achieved Meeriyagolla too

Friend with us

Its us

Wannimana and Thunhisgala towards Manigala

FGather and Daughter witnessed

Meemure Lakegala

Alugal Kanda

Lakegala

Nirosh Posing

මීරියගොල්ල යනු මීමුරේ ලකේගල සහ නාරංගමුවේ ලකේගල මැද පිහිටි කන්දයි. මෙම කන්ද වඩාත් සුන්දර වනුයේ අංශක 360 ක වපසරිය පුරාවටම කඳු පමණක් දැකිය හැකි හෙයිනි. වාමාරපුගල, යහන්ගල, උසුනුගල, තෙළමුගල, කෙහෙල් පත් දෝරාව, දුම්බානගල අලුගල්කන්ද නකල්ස් තුන්සේගල, සුදු ගල මානිගල ඇතුළු මීමුරේ ගල මුදුන උඩ ගල් දොබොක්ක නාරංගමුව කරඹකැටිය දන්දෙහි කුඹුර ආදී ගම්මාන රාශියක් සහ නකල්ස් වන පෙතින් එහාට වූ පල්ලේගමු මොරගහකන්ද හෙට්ටිපොළ උඩවෙල ගිරාඳුරුකෝට්ටේ මහියංගණය හා දෙහිඅත්තකණ්ඩිය දක්වා දැවැන්ත වපසරියක් දන්නට ලැබුණි.

එසේම වඩාත් සුන්දර දසුන නම් මීමුරේ ලකේගලෙහි පිටුපස දැකීමයි. අප සිටි ස්ථානයට මිටර 100 ක් පමණ හිස් අවකාශයේ දුරින් පිහිටියේ මීමුරේ ලකේගලයි. එහි ත්‍රිකෝණාකාර පිහිටීමත් එහි පිටුපස පිහිටීමත් අපට දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණි. මිරියගොල්ල සිට පහළට දැවැන්ත හෙලක් වූ අතර එය පසුව මීමුරේ ලකේගල පිටුපස පිහිටි හෙලට යාවේ. නමුත් මීමුරේ ලකේගල පිටුපසින් අංශක 90 ක හෙල සහ ගල් බිත්තිය වූ නිසාවෙන් එය නැගිට කළ නොහැක්කක් විය. මීරියගොල්ල මුදුනේ අප සිටි ස්ථානයට ද ඉතා සුළු පටු ස්ථානයකි. එහි දෙපසින්ම මීටර් 200 කට වැඩි හෙළක් විය. මුළු කඳු මුදුනට වේළී ගිය මාන පඳුරුවලින් පිරී තිබුණි.

හෝරා දෙකක් පමණ මෙම කඳු යුගලයේ සැරිසරන අප ආපසු බසින ගමනේ දී වඩාත් ආරක්ෂාකාරී වූයේ අපට දැවැන්ත පොළොවට මුහුණලා බසින්නට වූ හෙයිනි. ගලේ හිඳගෙන දණ මගින් තෙරපමින් අප ගල දිගේ බැස ගත්තෙමු. සුළං ප්‍රවාහය අතිශය දරුණු වූ අතර ගල් ගැටි අල්ලාගෙන නොසිටින්නට එය අපට පහළට විසි කර දමන්නට තරම් විය. කෙසේ හෝ අපි සියල්ලෝම පුංචි සීරිමකින් වත් තොරව කොමළ පනතට බැස ගත් පසු නැවත නාංගමුව බලා යන ගමන ආරම්භ කළෙමු. මෙහිදී මඟ පෙන්වන්නන් අප ඉතාමත් පුළුල් නමුත් සිඳී ගිය දිය සිරාවක් සහිත කළුගල් දෙබොක්කාවක් හරහා සෘජුවම උයන්ගොමුවට ගෙන යන ලදී. එය නැගීම අපහසු නිසාවෙන් අප තරමක් දුර පාරකින් පැමිණිය ද කඳු බැසීමේදී එය ඉතාමත් පහසු මගක් විය. උයන්ගොමුවට පැමිණි අප කටු අටුව පර්වතය පාමුලට ගොස් මීටර් 15 ක් පමණ උසින් පිහිටි කටු අටුවේ ගුවාහට ගල දිගේ නැගගත්තෙමු. නැග ගැනීමට පහසු වුවත් එය බැසීමට අප කඹයක් භාවිත කළේ සෙස්සන්ගේ ආරක්ෂාව ගැන සිතමිනි. කෙසේ හෝ රාත්‍රී 7 වන විට අපි සියල්ලෝම අඳුරේම නාරංගමුවට පැමිණියේ අප එනතුරු මඟ බලමින් සිටි ගම්වැසියන්ට අස්වැසිල්ලක් වෙමිනි. කෙසේ හෝ දිනකදී ඉතාමත් අවදානම් කාරණයන් කිහිපයක් මගින් ක්‍රියාදාමයන් සාර්ථකව අප විසින් අවසන් කරන ලදී.

We over there

Sobasiri Team

Getting down to Komala Pathana

Risky but safely

Climbing to Kapuatuwe Cave

Kapuatuwe Cave (1)

Kapuatuwe Cave (2)

Darkness came

Getting down from the cave

Destination covered

Introduction (Prepared by Sampath) (1)

Introduction (2)

Introduction (3)

Introduction (4)

Introduction (5)

Introduction (6)

Introduction (7)

Introduction (8)

Introduction (9)

Introduction (10)

Introduction (11)

Introduction (12)

Introduction (13)

Introduction (14)

Introduction (15)

Online Article – http://www.lankadeepa.lk/sunday/rasawitha/ලකේගල-තරණය-කළ–දුෂ්කර-දවසක්/57-538318

Thanks for reading!
Sobasiri Team © 2018

Pathangala is another prominent peak situated in Knuckles forest reserve. It is the giant standing just in front of popularly visiting Riverstone peak. Riverstone peak might be the most visited mountain in Knuckles Forest reserve. Therefore most of the people who visit Riverstone must have noted this peak. Though it is called as Riverstone by majority, old term is Kirimetiya Kanda (It is mentioned in metric map). Bata Anduwa Gap (බට අඩුව කපොල්ල) is situated in between Pathangala and Riverstone Mountain (Kirimetiya Kanda) /කිරිමැටිය කන්ද.

Pathangala, Riverstone and Bata Anduwa gap in metric map. Click image to enlarge.

How it is shown in Google map.

Pathangala was in my to-do list for a long time. Surprisingly I have first noted this mountain when I visited at Karagahathenna MWE, not at Riverstone. Later when I discussed with Harinda, got to know the name called Kawudamana (කවුඩාමාන) also for Pathangala. Luckily I knew Ashan and Chamara also had same intention to hike this mountain.

My first experience of Pathangala, when I was at Karagahathenna MWE.

View of Pathangala when we were at Karagahathenna abounded line houses.

View of Pathangala from Thunhisgala. Photo credit goes to Ashan.

View of Pathangala from Knuckles-Kirigalpoththa

What I mentioned earlier it as a typical mountain because Pathangala slopes to almost each directions. After analyzing Google map we decided to get the path from Dankanda (දන්කන්ද) village. There was a by road to Dankanda just after passing Raththota town. We have passed Dankanda, Polwatta Kanda and end at the last line houses situated closer to Pathangala. It is called Kattarathenna. Our vehicle was parked closer to Dankanda Tamil School. Pathangala was standing behind Katarathenna line houses. Though we have analyzed the Google map well it is better get directions from locals as well. According to one estate workers there is a path to the top of the mountain (But we didn’t come across). After passing last line houses we have reached the Kovil called Siva Sumbramaniyam Kovil. The kovil is situated at fairly higher place to have a nice surrounding view. Pathangala is situated in between Maussakanda (මාඋස්සාකන්ද) and Riverstone. Etipola and Wilshire appeared above the edge of Maussakanda. We were lucky enough to have a clear weather to see Kirigalpoththa, Gombaniya and Yakunge Hela.

Early morning view of Pathangala from Dankanda. But actual peak is not this. Far beyond this.

Team is ready for the hike. After a long time I have joined with Ashan and Chamara.

Flowering…

මිනීමල්

Wilshier is above the clouds

Greenish tea estates extending….

පුළුන්

Starting the journey

The estate worker is showing the direction

Next landmark-Siva Subramanian Kovil

The kovil is awaiting for Sunday school

Maussakanda was the neighbor mountain. Wilshier and Etipola were appeared at the edge.

Riverstone and Bata Anduwa Gap

Kirigalpoththa (most right), Gombaniya and Yakunge Hela

Blessed with clear weather

After passing the Kovil we have crossed a water stream and entered an area with abounded tea bushes. There was a clear foot path through this bushy area but it ended at the same water stream at higher position. Here onwards we followed the water stream for certain distance. It was bit difficult to follow the stream with it’s slope and we have entered the forest in left side of the stream. Real challenge of this hike started then onwards. Either side of the stream was covered with thickly grown Bamboo. Therefore someone has to make a path through Bamboo by knife (Sampath did a great job here). It was a time consuming and a hard work to hike though this Bamboo area. We have experienced Bamboo till we reached the peak in this hike. Therefore I would like to mention it as a Bamboo forest. Thickly grown Bamboo make damp environment which is suitable for leeches. We have noted high leech density of leech in the forest. All these factors made the journey hard and time consuming.

After the Kovil

Clear foot path through bushy area.

Coming out of the forest…

Note it’s full of Bamboo.

Thickly grown Bamboo

Chamara in action

Fairly good area with less bushes

Having a break. It was hard to find a place to have a rest due to leeches.

Something to bite at rest

There was small slab rock in half way of the journey to give a relief from tiresome journey. We had enjoyed the surrounding view from there. When you study the Google map you may notice a flat area just before the peak. The density of Bamboo has gone down when we reached this flat area. There was a water stream to fill our thirsty and plan the rest of the hike.

Dankanda area with Kirigalpoththa and rest.

I have been at none of these

Dankanda Lake

Pointed peak situated far away is Hunnasgiriya

Wilshire and Etipola. One peak of Makulussa is seen in right side.

Rest of Makulussa

Tea factory and line houses

Dankanda Tamil School and Ahsan’s jeep

After finishing thick Bamboo area

Reaching fairly flat area

Though Bamboo was there it’s walkable through it.

Bamboo has grown as high as possible

The stream…

Brings back to childhood

Google map revealed this stream origins from the peak and we followed the stream till we reached an open area where all the peaks of Pathangala were seen. Walking along the stream is an easy task compared to our first experience of the hike. This open area was a marshy land and we found the direction of the highest peak with aid of the Google map. The final ascent was happened through short bushes and we have reached a small rock situated between two peaks of Pathangala. The peak in right side is closer to Riverstone, but we didn’t attempt to reach it. This small rock likes a flat form with 360 degree view. We have enjoyed the view of Riverstone, Kirigalpoththa-Knuckles, Gombaniya, Yakunge Hela, Sudu Gala, Knuckles Five Peaks, Alugal Lena Kanda, Thunhisgala, Kalu Ganga Reservoir, Pitawala Pathana etc.

Walking upstream

ගෝනුස්සා

Walking along the stream

It is a birth of another river

Reaching the opening area

Sampath and Chamara

This open area was surrounded by peaks of Pathangala

Reaching the place with small rock situated between two peaks of Pathangala. It was a nice view point. Please note the other peak of Pathangala in right side and Riverstone with towers in left side.

Unlimited clicks….

The peak of Pathangala, closer to Riverstone Mountain.

The peak of Pathangala, closer to Riverstone Mountain.

Hunnasgiriya is seen in third line

Riverstone peak with towers. Sudu Gala is just visible between Riverstone and Yakunge Hela. Gombaniya and Kirigalpoththa are also in the scene.

Riverstone / Kirimatiya Kanda

The road through Pitawala Pathana

Maningala and Pitawala Pathana

Giants of Knuckles massif

Duwili Eli. Dumbanagala and Gerandigala is seen behind.

Lakegala

Wamarapugala at center of the picture.

Maningala and Etanwala paddies at base of Maningala

Pitawala Pathana and Pathana MWE

Kalu Ganga reservoir

Beyond Kalu Ganga reservoir

The final peak / highest point is situated about 500-750m away from this rocky surface. We have walked along the ridge of the mountain and entered the bamboo area again. It was happy to come across some mountainous forest here in addition to Bamboo. The highest point has a concreted base, most probably a tower has been there a time ago. We were able to watch the unseen part of Knuckles range and Dambulla-Matale area: Gammaduwa, Karagahathenna, Maussakanda, Yakkuragala, Gedaragala Pathana, Lenadora, Kadigala, Manikdena, Beliyaknada, Ambokka, Karagahathenna MWE etc. After getting enough pictures from top of Pathangala we have rushed to reach the starting point. It took around two and half hours to reach the starting point.

Found…. Sri Lankan Wood Pigeon

Mountainous forest, Masussakele and Ambokka

Brothers have reached the top first

Maussakanda with a single tower. Ambokka with Selagama MWE is seen behind. Gammaduwa with multiple towers are seen in left side.

Zoomed view of Maussakanda. Note it has two towers on top.

Karagahathenna towers with Manikdena and Lenadora

Karagahathenna MWE, Gedaragala Pathana and Yakkuragala

Karagahathenna abounded line houses

The team on top…

The team on top…

On top of Patangala

The team on top of Pathangala-Drone picture

The drop of Pathangala towards Karagahathenna MWE-Drone picture

The view over Pathangala towards Maningala

Bird’s eye view of Karagahathenna and Gammaduwa

Drone picture of Maussakanda

We are on top of Pathangala with back drop of Pitawala Pathana.

Bird’s eye view of Pitawala Pathana

Drone picture…

Drone picture…

Selfie by DSLR

Back to the starting point after successful journey

Good bye Pathangala

Summary of the journey

Thanks for reading

The well-known Kirigalpoththa (2388m) is the second highest mountain of SL situated in Hortain Plains. But another mountain called Kirigalpoththa is situated in Knuckles Mountain range, closer to the highest peak of Knuckles-Gombaniya
( ගොම්බානිය ).
Though I have heard of this mountain, have not seen it from another mountain till I visited Pathangala two weeks before. As weather in Knuckles range is perfect these days we were able to see Kirigalpoththa, Gombaniya and Yakunge Hela clearly. Usually it is hard to view these mountains due to permanent cloud cap covering the peaks. It is well evidenced by the Google map picture of Kirigalpoththa. But we were lucky to have a clear view of Kirigalpoththa and surroundings.

View of Kirigalpoththa from Pathangala

Kirigalpoththa in metric map. Click image to enlarge.

Kirigalpoththa range in Google map. This approach is from Kabaragala area. Click image to enlarge

When you review Google map it would shows the easiest approach to Kirigalpoththa peak through Kabaragala area. In Kabaragala side, lower part of Kirigalpoththa is occupied by the tea estate called Kallebokka (කැලෑබොක්ක). (Actually Hulangala division of Kellabokka). Kallebokka became famous due to the Travel with Chathura programme about 360 view point situated on top of Kallebokka peak.

We have travelled from Kandy to Waththegama by train and had our breakfast from Waththegama. The first bus to Kabaragala was scheduled on 6.30am from Waththegama. After about one hour journey we got down one stop before Kabaragala buses turn. I have noted turning points to Hathalae MWE and Kallebokka view points on this journey.

The view of Kirigalpoththa range was seen beyond the tea estate. We followed the shortest path through tea estate till the trail head. Kallebokka range is situated right opposite to Kirigalpoththa range. After about one hour hike we were able to reach the estate-forest border.

Kirigalpoththa range is seen beyond Hulangala division of Kallebokka estate.

Estate road

It’s a beautiful sunny day.

මී වදයකී ජීවිතේ…..

This is kind of a junction. Follow the upper path.

Filling water

Last set on line houses of the estate

Kallebokka estate. (I followed this pronunciation)

Hike through the estate

Hike through the estate

Gravel road situated in estate

Kallebokka range is situated in front of Kirigalpoththa range.

Wavy appearance of Hanthana hills (right side of the picture) and Sri Pada range is beyond it.

Eagle

.

The forest boundary was marked by white-red painted cement posts and there was a clear foot path along this. This area was an Ensal estate before it recruited to Knuckles forest reserve. Still villagers can pluck Enasal without feeding bushes in this buffer zone. We have followed this clear path for certain distance and entered the forest as the path ended up at half broken hut. Gradually the undergrowth changed from Enasal to Nelu and Bamboo. We kept our direction with aid of Google maps. At one stage we had to pass an area of thickly grown Bamboo bushes. A peak was visible in front of us and later knew it as a false peak. After passing few ups and downs we have reached a place where surrounding was visible through a forest window. Then we got to know we have reached the peak of Kirigalpoththa.

There is a clear foot path at forest-estate border

Kavinda and Danush were culprits this time

Enasal bushes

Enasal is the main under growth of this area. It is not good for environmental sustainability.

Appearing of false peak in front of us.

Perfect weather for a hike

Break

Checking the map

We have reached the peak of Kirigalpoththa.

After hike of about 100m we have reached one of the peaks of Kirigalpoththa, which is totally under coverage of trees. The highest peak with large slab rock was visible from here. There was a foot path to reach this slab rock. Gradually we have reached the highest point of Kirigalpoththa where Erskine mark is situated. Erskine might be a surveyor who lived in Sri Lanka during British Colonial period. He has visited few mountains and marked his name on top of them. I have seen this Erskine mark on top of Kokagala, Galpadihela / Kosgolla and Kukulagala.

Gradually ascend along slab rock.

This slab rock spreads over a large area on top of Kirigalpoththa.

The peak of Kirigalpoththa which is covered by trees.

Passing the slab rock to reach the highest point of Kirigalpoththa.

After few false peaks, actual peak of Kirigalpoththa is visible.

Kavinda has reached the highest point of Kirigalpoththa.

Erskine has been there on 1910.

In a clear day top of Kirigalpoththa provides 360 degree view. The giant of Knuckles-Gombaniya is situated next to Kirigalpoththa and Kuda Oya flows in between them to make Thelgamu Oya. Sudugala, Lahumanagala and Maningala were standing next to Gombaniya. Only top parts of Yakunge Hela and Thunhisgala were seen above this range. Pitawala Pathana and Kaluganaga Reservoir appeared above Maningala. On the other side Pathangala, Riverstone, Matale-Hettipola road, Manikdena, Kadigala, Maussakanda, Gammaduwa, Ambokka, Etipola and Wilshire were seen. We could see Hunnasgiriya and Kellabokka peaks as well.

Wilshire, Etipola and Matale side.

Ambokka

First peak of Kirigalpoththa. Kellabokka range and Hunnasgiriya peaks are visible.

Hunnasgiriya and Kellabokka range zoomed…

Gombaniya range

Pointed Thunhisgala. Kehelpothdoruwegala is next to Thunhisgala.

Sudugala range

Kaluganga reservoir

Kirigalpoththa

Kirigalpoththa

Other side: Riverstone, Pathangala, Gammaduwa and Maussakanda. There is a peak in between Kirigalpoththa and this range. Don’t know it is a part of Kirigalpoththa or separate peak.

Matale-Hettipola road is reaching it’s highest at Riverstone. Riverstone peak with towers. Pathangala is next to Riverstone.

Gammaduwa, Maussakanda, Manikdena and Kadigala

Kumaragala Pathana / Wahigala Range

Riverstone zoomed

Pathangala Zoomed

Highest point of Matale-Hettipola Road

Maningala and Malkirigoda Gap next to it.

Sudugala range

Pitawala Pathana

Yakkunge Hela is seen above Gombaniya

Gombaniya range

Happy faces on top of Kirigalpoththa

Danush is posing…

View towards Gombaniya

View towards Gombaniya

On top of Kirigalpoththa

At the edge…

Dreaming his next target…Sudugala

Rhododendrons spp.

Bird’s eye view towards Riverstone. I don’t know whether this peak is the continuation of Kirigalpoththa or separate Mountain.

When we were on top of Kirigalpoththa

Bird’s eye view of summit of Kirigalpoththa

How fair to have a name like Kirigalpoththa to this mountain

Three man team on top of Kirigalpoththa.

Three man team on top of Kirigalpoththa.

After enjoying the view we have followed the same path up to the peak with forest covering. There was a clear pathway (recent cut marks were there) from this peak downwards. It ended up at a small opening area which might be a marshy land in a wet day. The foot path has vanished from here but there was a dry stream. We have followed the dry stream for certain distance and noted it’s path lies in same direction we came up. It was not difficult to follow the stream and reach the estate in two hours. Though it started as dry stream, later became watery with underground springs and feeding streams. We could find a place for a bath following walk through tea estate. It ended another successful hike to one of a peak in Knuckles forest Reserve.

Following the dry stream

It is filled with water

Place to rest

At the end if I describe the easiest way to reach the peak is follow the same foot path through Enasal estate and reach the hut. Then you can get into the stream which is situated about 10/20m meters behind the hut. Follow the stream without get any turns till it end and even over dry parts. Next you will come across this small opening area. There might be a clear foot path from this opening area, if not can reach the top with forest cover with aid of Google map. (It is about 10-15min hike). But walking upstream might be a problem when stream is full.

Where we got down from bus. And our starting point at estate-forest border.

Our path to reach Kirigalpoththa in forest section. The stream I described also lies closer to our path.

Kirigalpoththa and Gombaniya ranges seen above Kellabokka estate.

Sharpen face of Gombaniya

Good bye Kirigalpoththa.

Thanks for reading.

After completion of Battulu Oya-Paradise Sri Pada trail I was awaiting to do Battulu Oya waterfall trail within this Sri Pada season. As I mentioned in my Battulu Oya-Paradise Sri Pada report, there are eight routes to reach sacred foot prints and these two routes related to Battulu Oya are newly introduced at Lakdasun.
Actually we have planned this trip when we were on our way to home following Battulu Oya paradise trail. Therefore Kasun and Vinoda were automatically included into the trip. After went through previous reports about this trail we have realized this as a hard trek and let’s see how hard it was.

The summary of this route is, there is a feeding stream which crosses Dehena kanda trail at base of Sri Pada. We have walked down along this stream till it joins with Battulu Oya and then moved to fishing hut to finish the trail. As we have planned this trip to a single day timing was the crucial point.
We have worshipped sacred peak early morning after hiking along Hatton route. It took about three and half hours to reach the peak along Hatton route. There was a Kiribath Dansala just above “Maha Giri Dambaya” (මහගිරි දඹය) and we tasted it. The early morning view we came across along the Hatton route was breath taking. This marked as my 13th journey to Holy peak.

Japanese peace pagoda is illuminated by lights

Indikatupana-Hatton route

Sun rise

Yaka Andu Gala and Ballanbendigala

Maussakele reservoir through bushes

This might be Rilagala / Pasmale range

Japanese peace pagoda at base of Yaka Andu Gala

Ballanbendigala / Ballabendihela…Kabaragala is seen behind

Sun rise…

Sun rise…

Posing….

Breathtaking….

Awesome

Maha Giri Dambe / මහගිරි දඹය

Misty Nallathanniya

Bana Samonala and Darmarajagala

Holy peak…

At Sri Pada

Next part of the journey was to descend along Rathnapura route and get the turn to Dehena kanda route. Though I have been at Dehena kanda route thrice this is the first descend along this path. Within one hour time we have reached the water stream which crosses Dehena kanda route at base of Sri Pada.

Starting of Dehena kanda route…

Descend along this steep part is a good exercise.

At trail head of Battulu Oya waterfall trail

Entering to Valley of Waterfalls

Perfect weather

Simply speaking it is the journey to descend along waterfalls. We have come across 12+ waterfalls in this route till we meet the other branch of Battulu Oya. As we did this trail in fairly dry condition, it was not difficult to getting down along waterfalls except few occasions. Soon we entered the valley of waterfalls the first waterfall came to our sight. (What Sashika mentioned as Sumudu Ella). Second fall is situated just below the first fall. After the third fall there was fairly flat section of the river before next set of waterfalls.

Waterfall-1. Note others on top of the waterfall.

Waterfall-1

Posing with the fall

Waterfall-1. It is about 7/8m in height.

Waterfall-2. This is about 10m in height.

Waterfall-2.

Enjoying the beauty

With Waterfall-2.

Descend

Significant third waterfall.

Third waterfall. It is about 5m in height.

Another steep path

Filling the thirst

Flat section of the river

Significant fourth fall. It is like a cascade with few steps.

There were basins at this waterfalls

Fifth waterfall. This is about 10m in height and had a nice base pool.

Fifth waterfall.

Fifth waterfall

Posing with the waterfall.

Gradually we have passed sixth and seventh waterfalls which were fairly large waterfalls, about 10-15 in height. As the drop of seventh waterfall was high it essentially needs to cross through the forest. Following the seventh waterfall there was a flat section of the river which reminded us the similar experience we had at Battulu Oya. The feeling was amazing when we walked along this area as it was shaded by forest and river base was covered with round boulders. We spent a time to get snaps and enjoy the beauty here. This flat river section ends at the top of eighth fall.

Upper part of sixth waterfall

Sixth waterfall as a cascade

Crossing the sixth waterfall in it’s side

Seventh waterfall is about 15m in height

At base of seventh waterfall

At base of Seventh waterfall

Friends…

Either side of the river are shaded by the forest

Pre shoot….

This was not a difficult task as it was a dry weather.

Beautiful back ground…

Enjoying…

Time for a snap

End of the flat area of the river….top of eighth fall

Dimal in doggy style

Eighth waterfall in WF trail

Eighth waterfall in WF trail. It is about 10m in height.

Eighth waterfall in WF trail.

Lower part of eighth waterfall.

We got down eighth waterfall in it’s right side and came to it’s base. Ninth waterfall was situated closer to eighth fall. Crossing of tenth waterfall was bit difficult along the stream and we reached it’s base through the forest.

Distance view of eighth waterfall with river

Distance view of eighth waterfall with river

Time for a break on top of 9th waterfall

Ninth waterfall from it’s base. It is about 7/8m in height.

Note-They are on top of ninth waterfall

Ninth waterfall

Ninth waterfall

Base pool of ninth waterfall

Tenth waterfall of waterfall trail

Tenth waterfall

Tenth waterfall

Tenth waterfall. It is about 12m in height.

A side stream joins with the river forming a waterfall

Happy faces after visiting many waterfalls

Here after river gets a bend with a slope and halts at a beautiful pool. We decided to get down through the forest rather than follow the stream. (Actually it is not possible to go along the river). If I consider the whole journey, this is the only difficult place an average hiker can face. There is a tiny waterfall made by the river at this section, probably eleventh waterfall.
Twelfth waterfall is the last of the trail and it is the highest out of all. (Probably 15-20m in height). It is not possible to capture the whole fall due to it’s angle.

Tiny eleventh waterfall with beautiful base pool

Eleventh waterfall with it’s base pool

Eleventh waterfall with it’s base pool

Eleventh waterfall

We had a long rest here

Eleventh waterfall

Last waterfall with an angle

Twelfth waterfall with an angle

Part of 12th waterfall.

Highest waterfall of Battulu Oya waterfall trail.

Twelfth waterfall in different angle

At base of the last waterfall

At base of last waterfall

After forming this last fall, river gradually slopes and joins with Battulu Oya in 100-200m distance. We have noted large size boulders along last part of the stream before it ends. We have spent about five hours to reach Battulu Oya from trail head at Dehena kanda route. Our next stop was at Battulu Oya near fishing hut and had a quick bath there. Though we planned to get a three wheeler from fishing hut it was not possible and walked to Raja male line houses. We had our dinner at Nallathanniya and waited for the last bus to Hatton to get into the train.

Large boulders at last part of Battulu Oya

Large boulders at last part of Battulu Oya

Junction where two streams meet

The team after successful journey

Battulu Oya

Near fishing hut…At the end of the day.

Battulu Oya waterfall trail.

සුමන සමන් දෙවි පිහිටයි

Sri Pada routes and my reports

1. Hatton route
2. Rathnapura-Palabaddala route
3. Kuruwita-Erathna route
4. Deraniyagala-Uda Maliboda trail
5. Dehenakanda-Mukkuwaththa trail
6. Rajamale-Sandagalathanna trail
7. Battulu Oya-Paradise trail
8. Battulu Oya waterfall trail

Waterfalls in peak wilderness 

Other peaks in peak wilderness

1. Bana Samonala : Attempted Twin Peaks-Bana Samanala/ බෑණ සමනළ (2010m), One day hike to Bana Samonala Gala (2010m)
2. Ballabendigala: Ballabendigala / බල්ලාබැදිගල (1920m) hike
3. Kunudiya Parwathaya: Kunudiya Parwathaya (1580m)/ කුණුදිය පව්ව තරණය
4. Saptha Kanya: Uda Lakshapana Gala / Saptha Kanya / Seven Virgins (1569m) hike

Gombaniya range is considered as the highest peak of Knuckles massif. It’s height goes beyond 1900m. (1906m).Though I have been at different peaks at Knuckles Mountain Range, Gombaniya was in to-do list for a long time.

Majestic view of Gombaniya range from Rathnathenna

Gombaniya from Knuckles- Kirigalpoththa

Gombaniya is pointed. This was taken on our way to Pathangala

Gombaniya range is from Kellabokka estate.

Gombaniya range is situated at Alakola estate in Hulu Ganga. It is margined by Knuckles-Kirigalpoththa and Yakunge Hela (යක්කුන්ගේ හෙල) ranges in either side. Approach to Gombaniya is easy from Rathnathenna division in Alakola Estate. Gombaniya range has number of false peaks and well known false peak has large slab rock with beautiful view. Actual peak is situated about 500m away from this false peak.

I have coupled this hike with Yakunge Hela in a week end. My recent observation of weather in Knuckles range was perfect. So our initial plan was to hike Yakunge Hela in Day-1 and start Gombaniya Hike in same day. Then we planned to camp in half way of Gombaniya hike. Due to various reasons we were not able to implement our plans on time. As a result we have decide to camp at base of Gombaniya at Rathnathenna estate. There are two summer huts at Rathnathenna division. One situated at higher level which is fairly old and it’s roof has been is collapsed as well. Newest one is situated much lower level. We have decided to camp at newly established summer hut at Rathnathenna Division.

Summer hut at Rathnathenna Division

We have camped here.

How Gombaniya is seen to camp site

Camp fire

Dinner

ගිනි තපිනවා

This is a one day hike to the highest point of Gombaniya range and we have moved to other end of the range as well. Depend on our previous day experience (Yakunge Hela) we knew mist would come up by 12 noon of the day. Therefore we had to start as early as possible. The journey was started from Rathnathenna at 6.15 am. We kept our all unnecessary stuff at line house. The guy of line house mentioned there is a clear pathway on top of Gombaniya and he sent two people to show the pathway from tea estate. We have passed the playground of upper line house and stopped for early breakfast. As we thought we can find this clear pathway easily we have sent them to the line house.
After the breakfast we directly hiked through the forest to the ridge. Actually it is the only difficult part of the hike. (Though we thought we can find the foot pathway, we couldn’t). The back drop of the scenery was filled with Knuckles five peaks, Kandasamigala and Thawalanthenna side. After about 30-45min hike through the Bamboo forest we were able to reach the ridge of the range where other side was visible. Then only we came across so called “clear foot pathway”. We were able to identify Kellabokka range, Hathalae MWE and a part of Knuckles-Kirigalpoththa range.

Get blessings from local Gods

Start the journey in early morning. These two came to show the starting point.

Last line houses at Rathnathenna. We got on to the ridge of Gombaniya behind this line house.

Members of the journey: Thiwanka, Anupama and Keshan

Basis of Gombaniya Hike. Once you get on to the ridge of the range, you have to pass number of false peaks to reach the most popular peak (Don’t know it is seen in this picture.)

Sun rise over Yakunge Hela

Morning view of Thawalanthenna: Knuckles Five Peaks and Kandasamy Gala

Zoomed view of Knuckles Five Peaks

Straightaway to the ridge

Enjoying the morning view….

A break to pose…

Reaching the ridge of Gombaniya Range

Kellabokka range

Kellabokka range continued. The peak of Hunnasgiriya is covered with a cloud.

The drop of Hathalae MWE.

Now onwards a clear path was visible.

Most of the time the foot path was easily identifiable. The ridge of Gombaniya is covered with Bamboo and Nelu bushes. Foot path goes through these forest area and we came across number of open areas as well. And there were multiple view points with slab rocks. It was a journey with ups and downs and from one view point to another till we reached the so called the “peak of Gombaniya”. It seems the range extends beyond this peak and rest of the range is higher than this popular peak.
This false peak provides 360 degree view towards Yakunge Hela, Kuda Oya, Walpolamulla side, Kirigalpoththa and Kellabokka side. Though others mentioned about extreme windy condition on top of false peak, we didn’t have such experience. Someone has camped few meters below this peak, might be due to windy condition. Mist was rising from the gap between Gombaniya and Yakunge Hela. Therefore we said good bye to the false peak and continued the journey along the ridge.

Follow the clear foot pathway

Break…

Two dogs also joined with us…

Rathnathenna Line houses

Reaching a view point…

More to the false peak….

It’s me…

Reaching another view point

Break…

Scenic view and the area we have passed

Keshan…

Enjoying…

It’s his style…

Might be the commonly visited peak

There are ups and downs in the path

Yakunge Hela is situated in front of Gombaniya

Morning dew…

Adaptation…

The ridge is covered with short bamboo bushes

View of Kellabokka side

Connection with Yakunehela. One can attempt Gombaniya from Yakunge Hela. But this area is covered with thickly grown Bamboo.

Yakunge Hela

Yakunge Hela extends

Alugal Lena Kanda, Knuckles five peaks and Kandasamigala

Most probably last view point before the peak

Towards Walpolamulla side. Kuda Oya flows here. Kalu Ganga reservoir is seen far away. It is difficult to identify second Line Mountains due to haziness.

.	Enjoying the view of drop…

Enjoying the view of drop…

Enjoying the view of drop…

Enjoying the view of drop…

Yakunge Hela and it’s drop

Sheer drop of Yakunge Hela

Anupama has reached the peak

Reaching the peak…

Kirigalpoththa side

False peak has a large slab rock. Hikers have mentioned their name on it.

On top of Gombaniya

Kuda Oya flows between Gombaniya and Yakunge Hela

Kuda Oya zoomed….

The range extends. This picture tells true peak is something else…

Facing to Yakunge Hela

View from top of Gombaniya. Towards Kellabokka

On top of Gombaniya…

The slope of Yakunge Hela

Long rest after the hike….

Mist is coming from the gap…

Mist is coming from the gap…

At the edge…

Enjoy the video: View from false peak of Gombaniya: https://youtu.be/S5MkZ6sD5lU

The foot path continues along the ridge and after another 4/5 false peaks we have reached the exact highest point of Gombaniya / highest of Knuckles massif. It has very limited area and collection of round stones. This indicates many people have been here as well. Bushes of Rhododendrons sp. were more common on top of Gombaniya than Nelu and Bamboo. The foot path was less clear after the false peak. Soon we arrived the true peak surrounding was covered with the mist.

Range continues

Range continues

Range continues

On top of true peak of Gombaniya

The path to true peak lies on a narrow ridge. Should be cautious in hiking…

Rhododendrons spp.

Rhododendrons spp.

On top of actual peak of Gombaniya

On top of actual peak of Gombaniya. Surrounding is covered with mist now.

It’s time to hail…

View from highest point. Towards Walpolamulla and Maningala

View from the highest point of Gombaniya

When we were at actual peak of Gombaniya. Someone has put the mark in Google map at wrong place as Gombaniya.

Height of actual peak is Gombaniya was measured as 1903m in this app. Note we have reached there even before 11am.

Enjoy the video: View from true peak of Gombaniya https://youtu.be/qpT8KCzFc_0

We have walked further along the range and understood no other point higher than the actual peak and range connects with Knuckles-Kirigalpoththa. It was around 11.40 when we turned back from Gombaniya range and followed the correct foot path till we reached tea estate.

We have walked further along the ridge…

Range continues towards Kirigalpoththa. The actual peak of Kirigalpoththa is covered with this peak. Pathangala is seen on right to Kirigalpoththa.

We have walked further away from actual peak.

Trio after successful hike…End of the day

Our path over Gombaniya Range. Note-we got on to the ridge of the range and followed the foot path up to the peak.

First few GPS points. Some of them mixed up. Only get the starting point of foot pathway.

Latter part of the range.

Thanks for reading

Bana Samonala Gala and Darmarajagala. Some identify it as two peaks of Bana Samonala Mountain.

Darmarajagala (1900m+). This is the classic appearance from Sri Pada Uda Maluwa.

View of Darmarajagala from Kunu Diya Parwathaya. Darmarajagala is pointed.

Bana Samonala Gala and Darmarajagala in Google map. Our approximate path is marked by black line.

Though hikers visit at Bana Samonala Gala, they give less attention to Darmarajagala. I thought of finish this hike within this Sri Pada season.
As usual we have started the hike from Nallathanniya-Hatton. We were able to reach Uda Maluwa (උඩ මළුව) via Hatton route by two and half hours, probably my best timing for Sri Pada hike. Sacred foot print was closed for morning Poojawa. We started to step down along Rathnapura route.

Morning captures: Triangular view of shade of Sri Pada and Kunu Diya Parwathaya.

Companions for the trip: Chamara and Vikum

Darmarajagala, shade of Sri Pada (middle) and Kunu Diya Parwathaya.

Adiyamalathenna Ambalama (red roof) and Adiyamalathenna Cooperative shop is in front of it.

Adiyamalathenna Ambalama (ආඩියා මළතැන්න අම්බලම).

Sri Pada from Adiyamalathenna.

Passing Adiyamalathenna

Vikum and Chamara

Our starting point of Darmarajagala was same as Bana Samonala Gala-Seetha Gangula at Rathnapura route. But we didn’t follow the main water stream and straight away got into the forest. After about 100m hike we came across a small water stream and it ended up at rock face of Darmarajagala. Here onwards we had to spend much time for rock climbing with aid of small bushes attached to rocks. So middle part of the hike is bit tough and time consuming. As weather was clear in morning hours we were able to identify Sri Pada and some land marks of Rathnapura route. After hike through rock face of Darmarajagala we have entered the forest with Nelu and Bamboo under growth. It was a continuous hike through this forest area and reached the summit of Darmarajagala which is having a forest. One significant thing is finding large number of flies on bushes of Darmarajagala. They were really disturbing. We were searching for the rock surface shown at Google map just beneath the summit assuming it might be a view point.

View of Darmarajagala closer to trail head.

Came to an open area after initial hike.

Perfect weather in morning hours. This was turned to misty with time and rain started in evening.

Passing initial forest area.

Haramitipana Ambalama (හැරමිටිපාන අම්බලම) and Cooperative shop.

View of Sri Pada on our way to Darmarajagala.

Sri Pada with Rathnapura route.

Reaching rocky area of Darmarajagala

Filling water

Had to climb this.

Side bushes were helpful in rock climbing

Top of Darmarajagala is covered with Nelu bushes and Bamboo.

Top of Darmarajagala is covered with Nelu bushes and Bamboo.

Supposed to be the highest point of Darmarajagala. It is covered with forest.

On top of Darmarajagala.

There was a sloping rock facing to Bana Samonala Gala side. This is a good view point towards Bana Samonala Gala, but bit risky due to sheer drop. As surrounding was misty we were waiting there till it gets clear. Then we have moved to the other side hoping to get a clear view towards Kunu Diya Parwathaya and surrounding. But it didn’t happen due to thick mist.

When we were at view point of Darmarajagala

Acute drop at view point.

View of Bana Samonala Gala from Darmarajagala.

View of Bana Samonala Gala.

Top of Bana Samonala is covered by mist.

Forest line of the edge of Bana Samonala Gala.

Connection of Darmarajagala and Bana Samonala Gala.

Towards Sri Pada area. Here we didn’t have a view towards Sri Pada due to mist and forest cover.

Forest cover on Bana Samonala slope…

Forest cover on Bana Samonala slope…

We didn’t come across a trace of any foot pathway or animal path in this journey. And there was no trace that anybody has visited the peak before. In return journey we straight away got down through the forest rather than follow our initial pathway. Here we had to get some risky steps in getting down, because we had to rush as rain was around the corner. We were able to reach trail head in 2hours time and luckily rain starts once we reached Rathnapura trail.

A break….

බිනර

බිනර	Some land marks of Rathnapura trail