Sri Lanka Hiking Vacation

Hiking has long been one of man's most favoured outdoor activities. Not only does it allow hikers to relax and step away from the pressures of modern life, it provides them with a primal sense of oneness with nature. Sri Lanka, with its misty top mountains and endless canvas of green, welcomes visitors who are looking for the ideal hiking vacation.

From the golden beaches that surround the island to the continuous vista of foliage at its centre, Sri Lanka represents a collage of changing landscapes. Hikers can discover the vast array of flora and fauna that makes this island so unique and prompted early explorers to call it 'Paradise'. What better way to acquaint yourself with such wonders than a hiking vacation in the island?

Nature lovers will be delighted by the number of options that are available to them. Some of the well-known hiking trails are the Gallodai Aru trail, which leads hikers to Rukam tank near Batticaloa, and the Kumbukkan Oya trail. These trails will take hikers to and through some of Sri Lanka's most treasured nature reserves, including the famous World's End and Horton Plains, and Adam's Peak.

Suggested Hiking Trails While in Sri Lanka

10 Dry-River Hiking Trails:

• Deduru Oya Hiking Trail - One tributary of the Deduru Oya rises in the hills west of Matale while another originates in the tanks around Kurunegala. The Deduru Oya River has a unique system of channels at Katagamuwa. The Deduru Oya can be accessed where it crosses Kurunegala- Puttalam road near Nikaweratiya
• Gallodai Aru Hiking Trail - The Gallodai-Aru originates near the Senanayake Samudra and flows into the Rukam tank, near Batticaloa. It can be accessed near the 142nd milepost on the Badulla-Batticaloa Road
• Heda Oya Hiking Trail - The Heda Oya rises in the hills of Lower Uva south of the Senanayake Samudra and enters the sea at Arugam Bay. It can be accessed where the main tributary crosses the Moneragala-Potuvil road near the 179th milepost
• Kalu Oya Hiking Trail - The Kalu Oya, which originates near the Kalawewa railway station, can be accessed from the bund (dam) of the Kalawewa tank. This river forms the southern boundary of the Wilpattu National Park and enters the sea north of Puttalam
• Kumbukkan Oya Hiking Trail - The Kumbukkan Oya rises in the hills below Moneragala and enters the sea at Kumana. This river is famous for its majestic Kumbuk trees, from whence it gets its name. It can be accessed where it crosses the Moneragala-Siyambalanduwa road
• Mallala Aru Hiking Trail - The Mallala Aru originates in the tanks in the Tanamalwila area and enters the Mallala Lewaya East of Hambantota. It can be accessed where it crosses the Tanamalwila-Hambegamuwa road near the 7th milepost
• Malwatu Oya Hiking Trail - The Malwatu Oya rises in the Ritigala mountain range and enters the sea at Arippu south of Mannar. When it enters the Northern Province it acquires a different name - Aruvi Aru. It can be accessed from the Nachchaduwa tank
• Menik Ganga Hiking Trail - The Menik Ganga rises in the hills south of Badulla and enters the sea inside Yala National Park. It can be accessed where the mainstream crosses the Wellawaya-Moneragala road on the outskirts of Buttala
• Moderagam Aru Hiking Trail - The Moderagam Aru drains several tanks to the west of Anuradhapura, flows through Wilpattu National Park, and enters the sea near Kudremalai Point. It can be accessed where the mainstream crosses the Puttalam-Anuradhapura road near the 38th milepost
• Wila Oya Hiking Trail - The Wila Oya rises in the hills above Moneragala and enters the sea north of Panama

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