Getting to Horton Plains

Getting to Horton Plains

There are 2 routes by a vehicle.

• Colombo - Nuwaraeliya - Pattipola - Horton Plains [212 Km]

Pattipola - Horton Plains Road

• Colombo - Rathnapura - Balangoda - Haputale - Boralanda - Ohiya - Horton Plains 

Ohiya - Horton Plains Road

• And another route by train

   Getting to a Badulla train from Colombo fort. Take tickets to Pattipola or Ohiya. If you are reserving tickets you have to buy tickets to Badulla. Get off train at Pattipola or Ohiya. 

Pattipola and Ohiya are very small towns. Only few shops available there. Walking to up to Horton plains is very nice experience if weather is ok. It is highly recommend to nature lovers. Otherwise you hire a three wheeler, van or even open top lorry. Its relatively easy to find a vehicle from Ohiya than from Pattipola. Riding in a open lorry is a rewarding experience since you can observe scenic surroundings easily.  

Horton Plains National Park

This is the largest and the most beautiful upcountry national park in Sri Lanka. It consist of 3159.8 Hectares of cloud forests and grasslands. 

Vegetation of Horton Plains

Sunrise in Horton Plains

Main Attractions of Horton Plains National Park

• World's end hiking track 
• Thotupola mountain nature trail (3rd highest mountain in Sri Lanka)
• Kirigalpoththa mountain nature trail (2nd highest mountain in Sri Lanka)

Scenic views on the way to Kirigalpoththa

• Baker's falls 
• Sambar (Cervus unicolour unicolour)- Best place in Sri Lanka to observe Sambar 

Sambar (Cervus unicolour unicolour)

• Birds (52 species of Birds including 12 endemics)
• Scenic campsites (3 isolated campsites located near crystal clear natural waterway)

Camp Site 1

• Montane cloud forests and large grasslands