Kirigalpoththa and Thotupola Mountains

Standing 2388 meters tall, Kirigalpoththa is the second highest mountain in Sri Lanka and the highest that is freely accessible to the public (You need to get permission to climb Pidurutalagala - the highest mountain since it is a high security zone).

Not too far behind, Thotupola is the third highest mountain and stands 2357 meters tall.

Most people who visit Horton Plains National park opt to hike on the World's End trail. While no doubt scenic, this trail tends to be crowded especially on holidays which can be a turn off for the nature lover. A lesser known fact is that there are two other trails that lead to the 2nd and 3rd highest mountains in Sri Lanka.

The trail to Kirigalpoththa is a challenging one since you need to ascend and descend a few smaller mountains before reaching the base of Kirigalpoththa. The notice board at the trail head states that the trail is 7 kms long, however the actual distance is probably shorter.

The Kirigalpoththa trail lets you experience Horton Plains in all its glory and if you are very, very lucky you may even be able to spot a leopard (for sure, one of them will spot you even if you don't see them).

The Kirigalpoththa trail starts off from the Farr Inn wildlife office and descends into a valley with an open view of the plains all around. The trail then alternates between the plain and forest patches with short climbs and descents from time to time crossing numerous streams on the way until you reach the base of the Kirigalpoththa mountain.

Kirigalpoththa - as seen from the trail head

Zoomed in view of Kirigalpoththa

Descending into the valley

This stream needs to be crossed after about 1.5 kms from the trail head. Take the footpath to the right after crossing this stream

Shh! Be quiet, there are wasps around.

I am no expert... but could this be leopard dung?

Kirigalpoththa says hello as we walk towards her

Finally, we have reached the base of the mountain

From here on, its a continuous climb through the forest until you emerge on to a clearing at the mountain edge. You have now reached the slab which gives this mountain its name. From here you have a fabulous view of the the surroundings. The Horton Plains National park can be seen in all directions beneath you and you can even glimpse the windmills far away at Ambewela. Make sure that you reach this point as early as possible since mist tends to drift in obscuring the view towards the late afternoon.

The windmills at Ambewela

Do not take this path to the summit, there is another short trail through the forest that avoids this stretch.

For those who wish to reach the summit, head back into the forest for a very short distance and you will emerge on to a ledge with a precipice on both sides that leads to the summit. Please exercise caution from this point onward and do not attempt to reach the summit if the conditions are rainy or very windy - a slight misstep could spell disaster. Scrambling on all fours may not be dignified but its a safe way to get across this short stretch.

The last stretch which should be tackled with caution.

A short walk later, you emerge on to the summit of Kirigalpoththa. The summit point is marked by a circle of rocks. Enjoy the cool breeze and the panoramic view and let the sense of accomplishment soak in.

Summit point

The trail to Thotupola Kande (3rd highest mountain) is a much easier trail and can be done within 1 - 1.5 hours of hiking. The trail head begins close to the Pattipola entry point to the Horton Plains National Park. The trail takes you through small forest patches (at times, the forest cover closes in and you feel like you are travelling inside a tunnel) and then emerges on to a clearing offering you a nice view of the surroundings. A further climb up the mountain brings you to the summit which like Kirigalpoththa has been marked with a circle of rocks. The view from the summit is somewhat obscured due to the forest cover but the hike will certainly be rewarding and you will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the views on the way to the summit.

If you need additional incentive to climb Thotupola, folklore has it that this mountain was an airport for Ravana's flying machines in ancient time.