Another visit to Hanthana (via the General Route)

Year and Month	19-April 2017
Number of Days	One
Crew	02
Accommodation	N/A
Transport	Motorcycles
Activities	Hiking, Photography, Sightseeing, Nature Exploring, Pilgrimage, Waterfall Hunting
Weather	Perfect
Route	Colombo -> Peradeniya -> Hanthana Road ->Hanthana
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Carry enough water Do not try in rainy days Beware of snakes and leopards Beware of slippery rock faces Follow the route Do not use off route tracks while the heavy mist The heavy mist will cause to lost the route Use a leech protection/ shoes Do not disturb the wildlife Do not litter Leave only footprints
Related Resources	My first visit to Hanthana – Night at Hanthana Text by – Wikipedia / Sunday Observer
Author	Ranshan Fernando
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Another visit to Hanthana (via the General Route)

The Hanthana Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, southwest of the city of Kandy. It was declared as an environmental protection area in February 2010 under the National Environment Act. The maximum height of the range is 3800 ft. The mountain range consists of seven peaks. The highest one being the Uura Kanda. The range is a favourite destination among mountain hikers in Sri Lanka. The University of Peradeniya is situated adjacent to the Hanthana mountain range.

The Hanthana Mountain range is a beautiful delightful set of hilltops that are stunning with lush panoramic views. Overlooking grassy plains and eucalyptus trees lining the estates, you will see friendly faces of the estate workers greeting you. Driving breezily along the well-paved road, you will meander on the first and second Circular Roads which lead up to the Hanthana Housing Scheme.

Also, the Forest Reserve road where the Circuit Bungalow is located offers sightings of hedgehogs, mongoose, rabbit and occasionally wild boar spottings. The best aspect about Hanthana and the housing scheme is that the residents live in harmony with the animals and the peaceful and serene environment is a testament to that.

The path

Flowers

Along the footpath

Here is the path

Surrounding

The range is also a big hit with hikers and adventure seekers where they do a good hike by traveling up to the point which has seen rapid development in the form of communication towers. The Hanthana mountain range comprises of more than seven peaks dotted gracefully.

Hanthana is spread on the outskirts of Kandy from which many glorious rivulets and streams flow. One such stream flows past the village of Udaperadeniya and the University. The Hanthana mountain range spans from Galaha to Kandy with a spanning direction which is from north-west to south-east.

Among the seven peaks, the forth peak is the highest and the Katusukonda is the last peak and slightly dangerous part of this mountain range. If you want to cover the entire Hanthana range, you can start the hike from Nilambe Meditation Center side and end from Kandy side.

The highest peak is the “Uura kanda” offering a delightful view with a steep slope but during windy days you cant even stand there.

Environment

More to go

The towers

Hill country

Surrounding villages

Kandy

Path to the ridge

The range of Hanthana

Clear view

Let’s begin

Follow this path

Surrounding view

The area

Up ahead, you will notice the anthurium farm which is one of the great stopover places and you can spot the Rose-Ringed Parakeet, Black-hooded oriole, the Brahimy Kite eagle, White-throated kingfisher, Crimson fronted and brown-headed barbet, and the Hill Mynah.

However, there are obstacles like the nearby Paradise Park which is a massive real estate development site that needs to have building designing on par with mother nature. In addition to this, the nearby temple on the other side of the range overlooking the sewage plant is in dire need of assistance.

The people live on precarious boulders where landslides are bound to occur any minute. The people pay money to the temple to live in the area but they are at risk.

Courtesy: SundayObserver