Gedaragalapathana / Walgamwewa Kanda (ගෙදරගලපතන/වල්ගම්වැව කන්ද) (890m)

This was another long awaiting hike at Dambulla area as this long range is seen to most of nearby mountains. This range is named as Gedaragalapathana in metric map and I have named it in my previous reports in same name. Ashan and Chamara have hiked the range few months ago and added two different names to the range: Wahigala Pathana / Kumaragala range. Their approach to the range was bit different than us. After reading metric map and Google maps, I marked a route which was bit different than them. This trail starts from the village called Walgamwewa. Therefore villagers name this part of the range as Walgamwewa Kanda.
Actually it is a long range with 5/6 peaks but we targeted the highest peak of the range. In metric map they have marked a peak in other end of the range as Gedaragalapathana.

Gedaragalapathana is circled in black. The highest point of it marked by black star. Walgamwewa is marked by red circle.

Walgamwewa Kanda in Google map. It is shown by the star.

Gedaragalapathana range is seen from Karagahathenna MW.

The highest point of the range is seen to Yakkuragala

When we were hiking Hinguruwatta Kanda

Full range was seen to Kadigala

When I was at Lenadora

Approach to Walgamwewa Kanda is from A9 road. We have reached Dambulla town in early morning and waited till a shop is opened to get the breakfast. After having breakfast we got a bus towards Naula and got down at one junction before Pannampitiya junction.
Here onwards we have used Google map to find the trail head. We have crossed Dambulu Oya and Elahara canal to reach Walgamwewa village. My pre assumed starting point was the lake at base of the mountain and villagers also guided us towards the temple situated closer to the lake.
The priest at the temple had bit of resistance initially for us due to wild elephants and treasure hunters activities at this range. After explaining our pure intention of hiking the mountain he built confident on us. According to him it is full of wild elephants and forest officers are eyeing on hunters and treasure hunters.
The highest point of the range is not seen to the temple and a project is going on to widen the nearby lake. Though we mentioned names such as Gedaragalapathana, Wahigala Pathana and Kumaragala, nobody knows them. They use the name only Walgamwewa Kanda.
After getting instructions from priest we started the journey along a dry stream situated behind the lake. We have come across elephant dung at the beginning of the journey and were careful in each steps in getting to the forest. This stream got smaller and smaller with ascend. Later we have moved to right side of the stream and followed the angle of a mountain to reach an open area.
The highest point of the range is situated behind another two or three mountains. Therefore you can’t see it from the trail head.

The team: Thiwanka (left), Anupama, Lakmal, Wikum and Kavinda

අලි ඩෝo

Along the dry stream

Along the dry stream. We came across a pit with water after a distance along this stream.

Filling our bellies with water.

Deviated from the stream

.	Most of the time hike was under shady path.

Yakkuragala range was seen after certain distance.

Pointed…

With assistance of Google map, we followed the angle of the mountain.

Back to the view. Beliya kanda.

Clear weather. This area hasn’t got rain for a long time.

Another group photo.

Dry zone forest.

Under forest patch

View of Kalundawa and Yakkuragala

Coming to an open area

The actual hike to Walgamwewa Kanda starts from here. We were able to view the peak and the range from this open area. Other important incidence was finding remains of an elephant skeleton at this place. There was a descend to the base of the mountain from this open area. The base of the range was full of Mana and we were able to view hills at Naula and Matale area from there.

Remains of an elephant skeleton

Remains of an elephant skeleton

Here we are seeing our target for the first time

Reaching the base of the range

Hills of Matale and Naula area were seen

We were searching a path to get into the forest patch of the mountain. There was a water stream at the base of the mountain and seems it is the best way to get into the forest patch. We have followed the stream up and got into the forest patch after a while. It was like a final ascend to the top and we came across some water filled pockets on our way up to the peak.

The stream at base of the mountain.

This stream became a dry path after a while. I can assume it makes beautiful waterfalls in rainy weather.

Biscuit time

.

Ascend

Along another dry stream

Giants….

Path covered with dry leaves

A friend we met

At the end reached the last Mana patch.

At the end we came out of the forest patch and the top of the range was seen just above dry Mana. The top of Walgamwewa Kanda has 360 degree view towards surrounding. Rest of Gedaragalapathana range was seen in front. Moragahakanda reservoir, northern facet of Knuckles massif including Sandamadala, Karagahathenna MWE, and Hawarimana were seen on left to the range. Later we have observed Knuckles range is getting the rain with time. Wilshire, Etipola, Makulussa, Ambokka, Arangala, Kadigala, Manikdena, Lenadora, Karanampotha, Dolukanda, Kahala-Pallekale range, Beliya Kanda, Ritigala, Dambulla rock, Ibbankatuwa reservoir, Yakkuragala and Galkoth kanda came to the long list of surrounding structures we have observed.

Top of the range is seen through Mana.

He is on top of the range.

It’s time to celebrate.

Further ascend….

View from the top

Rest of the range. I think Ashan has approached along this to the top.

Enjoying….

Moragahakanda reservoir and Knuckles range at the back drop.

Upper border of Knuckles Massif. Covered with rainy clouds.

Road to Moragahakanda reservoir.

Wilshire, Etipola and Makulussa

Ambokka and Arangala

Arangala zoomed…Naula town is also seen.

Manikdena and Lenadora

Top of Kadigala. Dolukanda is seen behind it.

Karanampotha Kanda

Beliya kanda

Kahala Pallekale range.

Kalundawa and Yakkuragala

Kalundawa zoomed.

Yakkuragala range

Paddies at Kalundawa village.

Paddies at Kalundawa village.

Ibbankatuwa reservoir with Pleasure Island. Ritigala is seen behind.

Ibbankatuwa reservoir with Pleasure Island.

Galkoth Kanda

Dambulla rock and temple

When we were at top

The top of the range doesn’t have any large trees to give a shade. Therefore we have moved further down on other side of the range to get a rest. Along this side range is sloped to Elahara side. We have spent nearly four hours to reach the top from Walgamwewa Lake. Return path was almost similar to the ascend but we have faced more and more Mana patches. Within about two and half hours time we were able to reach the temple. On our way back to the main road we have refreshed from Dambulla Oya.

Getting down

Laying eggs

Pointed

Back to the starting point…

At the end of the day…

Thanks for reading…..