Knuckles Range is the hill country’s last great unspoilt wilderness, an off-the-beaten-track paradise for hikers with stunning mountain views
Knuckles Range is the hill country’s last great unspoilt wilderness, an off-the-beaten-track paradise for hikers with stunning mountain views
The British named the rugged peaks as Knuckles for their resemblance to the knuckles of a clenched fist. This virgin tract of great natural beauty and biodiversity stretching 155km2 contains five major peaks and breath-taking mountain scenery. Knuckles peak (1900m) is highest point, and is the sixth highest peak in Sri Lanka.
The vegetation varies from dry evergreen forests to wet grasslands and strands of rare dwarf cloud forest. It is home to leopard, sambhar, barking deer, purple-faced langur, touque macaque, slender loris, giant squirrels, rare lizards and endemic bird species.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Knuckles is a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers, offering numerous mountainous trails that journey across clear rivers, through dense forests, and past flowing waterfalls. Trekking here offers some of the most pristine and rugged scenery on the island, with high trails, montane forest and waterfalls. Treks can range from easy three hour walks to challenging multi-day treks with forest camping, all under the watchful eye of our expert guides, of course.
A 40km 3-day trek explores unspoilt, remote villages, one of which received electricity only in 2008. Hikers camp overnight or stay in village homes. Alternatively, a 20km 1-day trek skirts around the western flanks of the range.
Keen birders should look out for the scarce endemic Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Myna and Black-winged Kite. The grasslands of Pitawala Patana and Illukkumbura are worth a visit, where the climate changes from wet montane to dry lowlands within a period of 2/3 hours of walking.
Can’t find a suitable itinerary that features a destination, experience or accommodation you fancy? All our group tours and holiday ideas can be personalised, or we can create a tailor made itinerary for you.
Opulent: Exceptional, unashamedly the best of sheer luxury. (£££££)
Luxury: Outstanding levels of 5* comfort, hospitality and facilities. (££££)
Premium: Excellent levels of comfort and hospitality and a wide range of facilities. (£££)
Mid-Range: Good levels of comfort and hospitality, with a reasonable range of facilities. (££)
Simple: Clean and simple, no frills. Often in areas of natural beauty or near wildlife reserves. (£)
