Scenic drive from Balangoda to Norton Bridge

The B339 motorway is a little used road leading from Balangoda to Bogowanthalawa. While there is a decent amount of traffic till Pinnawala town, from there onwards till you reach Bogowanthalawa it's a stretch of wilderness and estates with hardly any vehicles.

The real treat for the nature lover begins when you pass the small town of Pinnawala and enter the patches of tea estates and the forest stretch. The motorway acts virtually as a border between the Horton Plains and Adams Peak nature reserves and you can enjoy a stretch where it is just jungle on both sides. As with all roads in the hill country, you are also guaranteed plenty of scenic views throughout the journey.

One of mother nature's architectural wonders

Plenty of little roadside streams and mini waterfalls say hello to you

The scenic journey begins

Tea estates and forest patches complement each other

Pine forest stretches make you question whether you are still in a tropical country

Misty conditions creeping in

In mere moments the road ahead disappears in mist

Just when you think the best part is over, you reach the outskirts of Bogowantalawa - the home of tea. The pristinely green tea estates are picture postcard perfect. I am sure you won't be able to resist stopping and enjoying the scenery here.

Yes we have reached the heart of tea country

From Bogowantalawa onwards, the road continues until it reaches the Adam's Peak/Maskeliya route at Norwood.

From here you can chose to head towards Hatton or further enhance your journey by traveling along the B149 towards Maskeliya and then the B328 towards Norton bridge and enjoy more panoramic views of the Castlereigh and Moussakele reservoirs as well as the many tea estates on the way. If you chose to do this, don't forget that Laxapana and Aberdeen waterfalls are not too far away and should not be missed.

Yes, we are still in Sri Lanka. This church was constructed using British architecture in 1878.

Laxapana in full flow - taken during the rainy season from the roadside

Laxapana falls

Located between Norton Bridge and Maskeliya on the route to Adam's Peak, Laxapana waterfall is clearly visible from the roadside at a distance and is a popular stopover point for Adam's Peak pilgrims. However, we decided to include Laxapana on Uncommon Paths due to its irresistible beauty and also because not many take the effort to actually visit the base of the waterfall and even less are aware that you can visit the top of the waterfall.

Laxapana is 126 meters high and is the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is formed by the Maskeli Oya which eventually flows down to become a part of the Kelani river.

Laxapana in full flow as seen from the roadside - taken during the rainy season

To reach the base of Laxapana falls, you need to descend an umpteen number of steps - this is all well and good on the way down, but not so fun climbing up. :-)

Approaching the base of Laxapana falls

After having your fill of Laxapana falls, return to your vehicle and ask for directions to reach the top of the waterfall. Do not miss this opportunity (don't worry, there are only a few steps to descend this time).

The top of Laxapana falls is a flat slab of rock with a small stream that suddenly plummets down to create Laxapana falls. Please be extremely cautious if you are approaching the edge. Sign boards in the area clearly indicate that the water level can suddenly increase without warning and if you are not cautious, this can be life threatening.

Horagolla National Park

Which is the closest national park to Colombo? No, it's not Wilpattu or Udawalawe.

A little known fact is that just on the outskirts of Colombo, 1 Km away from Nittambuwa one of Sri Lanka's newest national parks - Horagolla National Park opened its doors for visitors in 2004.

Directions:

• When travelling from Colombo, turn on to the Veyangoda road from the Nittambuwa junction. Travel for about 1 Km till you reach Pinnagolla junction and take a turn to your left (a sign post is present). Travel another 600m till you reach a footpath leading to the Horagolla National Park. The footpath is sign posted, however there isn't a parking area. You may need to park your vehicle by the side of the road before heading off into the park.

Do not expect wildlife safaris in jeeps like your typical national park, in fact despite being called a national park - the total area of this reserve is just 33 acres but it is still home for 10 types of mammals, 64 types of birds, 7 types of fish and 28 types of butterflies.

More often than not, your visit to Horagolla National Park would be to admire the flora and not the fauna. The few animals who call this forest home are shy by nature and not easy to spot, but don't let this put you off - the park is a pleasant place to stroll through on the well defined trails. It is hard to imagine that such a forest setting exists so close to highly populated urban areas.

While not really a destination in itself, Horagolla National Park is worth a visit if for nothing else just to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life and to commune with nature. Combine your visit to Horagolla with a visit to one of the numerous historic temples in the Gampaha district (most of which are located on mountain tops with panoramic views of the Gampaha district) or with a visit to the Henarathgoda Botanical Gardens - the site of the first rubber plantation in Sri Lanka now converted into a Botanical park.

The Hora Kele wewa greets you just before the park ticketing counter

The skin of a croc, seen at the ticketing counter

Like other national parks, remains of animals are preserved here too. The display was still being set up when we visited

There are a few captive animals at the ticketing office. These are either animals who are bred in captivity, captured from urban areas or who are injured and cannot be released to the wild / are being prepared for release to the wild.

The trail begins, well marked paths criss cross the entire park

Directions are clearly marked, follow the arrows and you can see the park in its entirety

The trail winds through the Horagolla forest

The forest canopy high above

More captive animals and birds in an enclosure half way through the forest trail

Benches and seating areas such as this are available at scenic spots. You can have a meal here if you wish but please keep the place clean and leave nothing behind

Beauty of natures creations

The summer hut overlooking the Hora kele wewa marks the end of the trail, continue on the trail for a few meters and you reach the ticketing office again