Revered by all Sri Lankan religious communities, Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada is a holy mountain on the island. It is well known for the sacred footprint, a 1.8 m rock formation on the summit. Buddhists believe this footprint belongs to Lord Buddha, while Hindus believe it belongs to Lord Shiva. Since Muslims and Christians believe the footprint belongs to Adam, the mountain calls as Adam’s Peak from history. Most probably, no other mountain in the world has been revered by so many religions as Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka has.
Sri Lankan Buddhists believe the footprint mark is the left footprint of Lord Buddha. According to the Buddhist belief, Lord Buddha visited Sri Lanka at the invitation of God Sumana Saman and left the footprint as a symbol for worship. Adam’s Peak considers the residence of God Sumana Saman. If you visit Nelligala Buddhist Temple in Kandy, you can see a statue of God Suman Saman. He is coming down from the sky from the Sri Pada Mountain direction, holding a lotus in his right hand and accompanied by a white elephant.
With a height of 2,243 m and a unique conical shape, Adam’s Peak is clearly visible from even far distance. If you are traveling on Kandy – Ella train, you can get a glimpse of this sacred mountain between Rozella and Hatton stations. The surrounding region is lush green forested hills declared as a protected wildlife reserve. Along with Horton Plains and Knuckles Mountain Range, Adam’s Peak reserve is recognized as a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka.
In this travel guide, we will bring you everything you need to know about climbing Adam’s Peak. Of course, you can learn about how to reach the summit of this sacred mountain. And also what you should bring and what you shouldn’t bring to this pilgrimage destination.
Access to Adam’s Peak
Adam’s Peak is located in the southern reaches of the Central Highlands in between Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya. Access to the mountain is possible by three major trails: The Hatton-Nallathanni route, the Ratnapura-Palabaddala route, and the Kuruwita-Erathna route.
The Hatton-Nallathanni route is the favorite one among hikers, while the Kuruwita-Erathna trail is used less often. The easiest way to reach Adam’s Peak is traveling to Nallathanni village which is known as Dalhousie. It locates around 30 km from Hatton.
You can reach Hatton from Colombo by train and then travel to Dalhousie to start your journey to Adam’s Peak. During the pilgrimage season, around 1 million passengers travel to Adam’s Peak through Hatton station.
Pilgrimage season
The Sri Pada season starts from the full moon of December and ends on the full moon of April. The hiking trails are open only for this period. During this pilgrimage season, many shops pop up on the way to the mountain top offering all sorts of food and refreshments. This time can be quite crowded, especially during the weekend and towards the end of the season.
Trails are closed during the other half of the year due to monsoons. The heavy, torrential rains make hiking Adam’s Peak almost impossible in the off-season. Therefore, travelers aren’t allowed to visit this mountain during the months from May to November.
Hiking Adam’s Peak
The most popular trail begins Northeast of Adam’s Peak in Dalhousie. Generally, it takes about five to six hours to climb to the top. The ascent to the summit goes through the forested mountainside. The steep pathway leading from the base to the summit consists of more than five thousand steps. They are built in cement or rough stones.
The trail is illuminated with electric light, making night-time ascent possible. Therefore, Adam’s Peak is safe to hike even at the night. There are rest stops and small shops along the trails. These shops serve refreshments and essential supplies during the day and night.
There is an important Buddhist Temple located at the base of Adam’s Peak. Although this isn’t a big stupa, the pure white Peace Pagoda stands out dramatically with the amazing backdrop of Adam’s Peak.
Top of the mountain
Are you wondering what to see at the top of the mountain? There are several ancient monuments on the summit. The most important thing is the 1.8 m rock formation inside the temple. This sacred footprint calls as Sri Pada by Buddhists.
Next to the holy footprint, there is a huge bell. Each pilgrim can ring this bell as many times as they have reached the top of the peak. Ringing this bell according to the number of climbs is a tradition that all the pilgrims are following throughout history.
Sunrise from the summit
Mentioned as one of the eight epic hikes in the world by Lonely Planet, the sunrise hike of Adam’s Peak is quite famous among travelers. It is the ultimate spot to watch the most splendid sunrise in Sri Lanka. Therefore, most people make the climb at night to reach the mountain top in the dawn. Definitely, this is once in a lifetime chance to witness one of the most amazing sunrise views in the whole world.
You’ll see an extraordinary sight during sunrise. This is the triangular shadow on the surrounding plain cast by the distinctive shape of Adam’s Peak. This shadow is moving quickly downward over the trees as the sun rises. Getting a glimpse of this famous triangular shadow is the ultimate goal of many hikers of Adam’s Peak.
What to bring
The hiking is definitely tough and strenuous. You need to be ready with comfy shoes and an appropriate dress. Since the top of the mountain is quite windy and chilly, make sure to take warm clothes with you. You’ll need several accessories to stay warm in the chilling cold on the summit. A cap, gloves, and a jacket or a good coat will keep you feeling cozy.
Although there are refreshment stops on the way to buy necessary things, it’s better to take your own snacks. Take a water bottle with you and stay hydrated. The hike is fairly long and you’ll be sweating during the hiking. Therefore, remember to carry a light backpack with only essential things for your journey.
What not to bring
Since Adam’s Peak is a holy mountain and a pilgrimage destination, there are several rules and regulations you need to follow. Use of alcohol, liquor, or cigarettes during hiking is prohibited. As well as, the use of polyethylene wrappings should be minimized to reduce littering.
To sum up, the sacred mountain Adam’s Peak is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka. There you can get a remarkable view across the mountains and valleys below. You’ll encounter lots of picturesque views and postcard-worthy backgrounds. Certainly, this breathtaking hiking trail shows you the unsurpassed beauty of the country. Moreover, the spectacular sunrise at the summit is a once in a lifetime experience. Hope you all will visit Adam’s Peak and enjoy the splendid scenery!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Facebook, and Twitter. All copyrights are reserved by original authors.
