Sport and Adventure in Sri Lanka’s hill country is mostly limited to trekking and mountain biking through the tea plantations and up and around the hills, but there are also some fantastic adventures to be had, such as going on the train from Kandy to Ella – one of the most beautiful rail rides in the world – and climbing Adam’s Peak in time to witness a sunrise you will never forget.
There are a vast array of trekking options on offer, from woodland walks in search of waterfalls to hikes across grassy plains. Climb Little Adam’s Peak, or the more challenging Ella Rock, for wonderful views down the Ella Gap – you can see all the way to the south coast on a clear day; go rambling around Haputale and take in the majestic views; walk through the pristine tea plantations in Dickoya.
Horton Plains National Park, 20km from Nuwara Eliya, is covered in grasslands and forests, including the Sri Lanka’s last remaining montane forest. It is in the only national park in Sri Lanka where you are free to roam on foot: walk all the way to ‘World’s End’, a dramatic viewpoint with a 1,000m vertical drop, and watch out for endemic highland bird species and other animals including leopards, elephants, deer and monkeys.
One of the best things to do in Sri Lanka’s hill country is climbing Adam’s Peak, a 2,234m-high mountain which is sacred to all four of Sri Lanka’s most prominent religious groups – Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and Hindus. It is a fairly tough and tiring journey, but it rewards visitors with an awe-inspiring panorama of the island and one of the most glorious dawns in Asia.
Lipton's Seat
Haputale, Hill Country
The favourite viewing point of Sir Thomas Lipton, Lipton’s Seat offers one of the most spectacular views of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. Drive to the top, or walk up through the surrounding plantations.
Duration: 2 hours
Best time: Year-round
Adam's Peak
Hatton, Hill Country
Adam’s Peak is sacred to all four religious groups in Sri Lanka. Attempt the enthralling and challenging climb at night to reach the top in time to witness one of the most stunning sunrises in Asia.
Duration: 7 hours
Best time: December to April
Hike in the Knuckles
Knuckles, Kandy
The Knuckles Mountain Range is perfect for hiking – a land of mystical peaks, chattering waterfalls and hidden hillside villages, with breathtaking visas and a remoteness that will appeal to experienced and novice hikers alike.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: February to August
Kandy to the Hill Country by train
Kandy
Praised as one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world, the train ride winds out of Kandy and up through the Hill Country, providing panoramic views of the spectacular tea-covered hills.
Duration: 1 hour
Best time: Year-round
Little Adam's Peak
Ella, Hill Country
Although this climb is relatively easy, the views from the top of Little Adam’s Peak are sensational. Begin the climb with a gentle stroll through a sloping tea field, passing endless neat rows of terraced tea plants.
Duration: 3 hours
Best time: Year-round
Walking in Ella
Ella, Hill Country
Ella is one of the most beautiful spots in the hills for walking, offering trails of varying levels of difficulty – make the short climb up Little Adam’s Peak or hike to the summit of Ella Rock.
Duration: 5 hours
Best time: Year-round
Sri Lanka Waterfalls
Hill Country
More than a hundred waterfalls are scattered across Sri Lanka’s verdant central hills, and whilst some are fairly small or inaccessible, many are worth hiking to. We've highlighted our top five.
Duration: 2 hours
Best time: Year-round
Treks and Tea at Amba Estate
Ella, Hill Country
Experience tea, glorious treks and total tranquillity during this four-night stay at Amba Estate, an organic farm on the outskirts of Ella in Sri Lanka’s hills. One of our Extended Activities.
Duration: 4 nights / 5 days
Best time: December to March, August and September
