Nestled in gorgeous central hill country at an altitude of 364 m, Matale is one of the most beautiful regional cities in Sri Lanka. At a distance of 155 km from Colombo and just 25 km from Kandy, it is the best place to witness the ultimate beauty of Sri Lankan hill country. Matale is well endowed with Mother Nature’s blessings to be filled with captivating landscapes and lush green vegetation. The mountains surrounding the whole area are green and vibrant with all hues of green color.
The Knuckles Mountain Range, a world heritage conservation area is the most prominent attraction in Matale. It is Sri Lanka’s best trekking area with astounding views and a cool environment. Since the Matale area is abundant with breathtaking hiking trails, it is a popular destination among hikers. It offers a chance to enjoy intriguing hiking and trekking possibilities to witness lovely waterfalls, as well as lots of endemic flora and fauna.
Unlike other hugely famous cities in Sri Lanka, some areas of Matale are far behind modernization. Matale locates away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, where you can enjoy a peaceful and quiet environment immersed in lovely nature. As well as, it isn’t an overly crowded destination with many travelers. You’ll get the chance to enjoy many hidden gems and feel the fresh mountain air that is cool, among the unspoiled beauty of pristine nature.
There are endless numbers of amazing things to do in this lovely city. Here we are going to show you the most beautiful things and places you need to visit while touring in the Matale area.
Access to Matale
Colombo and Matale are connected by more than one route. You can use various travel routes to reach Matale using a Taxi or Car. As well, a railway line is available to travel from Colombo Fort Station to Matale. Here you can find all the best methods to reach Matale from Colombo.
1. Knuckles Mountain Range
The Knuckles Mountain Range is one of the loveliest nature attractions and trekker’s paradise in Matale. Still, it is an untouched zone with significant natural beauty and biodiversity. The changing terrain of grasslands, rugged mountain peaks with streams, and cascading waterfalls make Knuckles mountain range heaven in the earth for the visitors.
Knuckles means to the clenched fist, where there are prominent five peaks can see from distance. Overall, there are nine peaks above 1200 m in Knuckles Range. It spreads in a vast area including both Kandy and Matale districts. The best thing is these hiking trails in Matale aren’t physically challenging and it doesn’t need much strenuous effort.
If you like to experience the wilderness of the Knuckles region, there is a camping site inside the forest reserve. You can book a mountain lodge through the forest department and spend the night in the plains enjoying the unique stillness of the Knuckles. It will be one of the marvelous adventures you can enjoy while touring in Sri Lanka.
2. Meemure
Meemure is a small village located in the Knuckles mountain range. This village has quite a low population of about 400 people. It is one of the most remote villages in Sri Lanka with the only access via a 14 km hiking trail from the town of Loolwatte. This gorgeous agricultural village is a feast to the eyes of visitors with its unspoiled, dignified beauty.
While exploring through the Meemure, you’ll come across some striking mountain views. One of them is a triangular shape, 1310 m high Lakegala Mountain. There are several access points to Lakegala rock, but the safest access road is from Meemure Village. Climbing Lakegala rock is quite strenuous, but it is possible to do it with the help of a knowledgeable local.
The lifestyle of Meemure villagers is quite simple and their livelihood is farming by traditional methods. You’ll see there are many terraced rice fields, which arrange according to the topography. Since the farmers grow spices, you may be able to visit some spice gardens during your visit to Meemure.
3. Corbett’s Gap
Corbett’s Gap is a popular attraction located within the Knuckles Mountain Range. It was named after the British surveyor Corbett who mapped the area. It is a magnificent viewpoint that opens out to stunning views of the Knuckles Mountain Range.
The top of the mountain is a wind funnel where the wind comes between two mountains. The wind is so strong while the climate is so cool. The elevation in altitude will bring you to a completely different climatic habitat and a mountainous terrain with plenty of fresh air.
During the southwestern monsoon between May to September, there is a high wind blowing through this gap. Therefore, the forest trees grown in that area have a special feature that stunted and gnarled trunks to adapt to this windy climate.
4. Riverston Peak
Riverston peak is one of the best hiking trails in the Knuckles mountain range. It situates approximately 30 km from the town of Matale town. If you are looking for an isolated, peaceful trek with impressive views, the hike in Riverston is ideal for you. This trail runs a section to the Riverston Peak and next to a section to Mini world’s end. This area is comparatively unknown amongst tourists, but it offers views of the ultimate natural beauty of Sri Lanka.
The trek is about two and a half km one way and takes an hour or two at most. The countryside along the trek has views of the terraced paddy fields, unique to the mountainous regions. The Riverston Peak offers stunning misty views of the nearby Knuckles Mountain Range and Thelgamuwa River.
Riverston trek also offers the chance to get a view of two graceful waterfalls Sera Ella and Bambarakiri Ella. At Riverston, you’ll feel the unspoiled nature and views unparallel to anywhere in Sri Lanka. The peak, with its peaceful and beautiful surroundings, offers a great opportunity for nature lovers and photographers to capture the best shots.
5. Mini World’s End
Situated close to Riverstone is another picturesque site with magnificent views calls as Mini World’s End or Pitawala Pathana in Sinhala. Mini world’s end is an escarpment with a sheer drop of several hundred meters, which gives panoramic views of the surrounding misty landscapes. Since Mini world’s end and Riverston peak locates on the same hiking trail, you can visit both places within one day.
It needs to clarify that the mini world’s end and the little world’s end are two distinct places, located hundreds of kilometers apart. Little world’s end is a quite famous panoramic viewpoint inside the Horton Plains national park, while mini world’s end is located in the Knuckles mountain range at Matale. It refers to as ‘mini’ because the cliff is not as high as the big world’s end at Horton Plains. But the Mini world’s end gives spectacular views, probably more splendid than World’s end at Horton Plains.
The trail to Mini World’s End starts from the Knuckles conservation center at Deanston. The path towards the drop is around 1 km along with the beautiful forests and trees. This is a fairly easy hiking trail anyone can complete without any strenuous effort. You need to climb some rocky steps till you arrive at the edge of the cliff to enjoy the beautiful scenery around. It can be strongly windy during the southwest monsoon but has a pleasant climate for the rest of the year. It is one of Sri Lanka’s epic photogenic spots to capture some Insta-worthy shots.
6. Sera Ella
Matale is the best place for waterfall hunting with several magnificent waterfalls populating in this area, When you are exploring the Riverston area, you will meet a lovely waterfall call as Sera Ella. It measures 10 m in height and approximately 15 to 20 m in width. This gorgeous waterfall looks like the cascading veil of a bride. Sera Ella is wider than its height, where it separates into two sections as it falls down the rock face. The fall flows all year round and is at its fullest during the monsoon season, between November and March.
The major highlight of this waterfall is its natural cave in the rock, located behind the falls. Steps have been cut to reach this cave safely even when the fall is at full flow. This is an extremely rare opportunity to walk into that cave and stand behind the crumbling water of the fall. Sera Ella is one of the extraordinary falls you shouldn’t miss while exploring the Matale area.
7. Bambarakiri Ella
This is a hidden gem set amidst the mesmerizing greenery of the Knuckles mountain range. Bamabarakiri Ella locates in a tranquil and peaceful place in Riverston. This is a fall of 10 m, which cascades in two parts. Water comes crashing down to earth at a high speed in the rainy season making a wonderful sight.
The rock pool at the base of the waterfall is safe for a dip during the dry season but can be very dangerous during the rainy season. The suspension bridge spanning the falls offers the opportunity to capture wonderful shots of this beautiful waterfall. It gives a nice opportunity to capture some Insta-worthy snaps, with the background of the emerald green waterfall.
8. Hunnasgiriya Waterfall
Hunnasgiriya Waterfall call as Hunnas Falls locates near Elkaduwa village in Matale. This majestic waterfall is 48 meters tall, and it locates at a height of 1,765 meters above sea level. It is fed by the streams from the nearby Hunnasgiriya mountain peak. There are grand accommodation facilities available in the nearby Hunas Falls Hotel, one of the top romantic hotels in Sri Lanka.
9. Aluviharaya Rock Temple
Just 3 km from the town of Matale, lays the historical Aluviharaya Rock Temple, one of the ancient Buddhist Temples in Sri Lanka. Constructed between boulders and cliffs, this cave temple is located on a huge rock. Ascending to the site of the stupa at the summit of the rock renders an excellent view of the topography of the surrounding area.
This temple is a very important temple for Buddhists, where the verbal teachings of Lord Buddha were transcribed into text on palm leaves in this temple. You can find the cave where transcription took place inside the temple complex. The main cave has a large statue of the reclining Buddha accompanied by standing and seated images of the Buddha.
10. Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil
Opposite the central private bus station in Matale town is Sri Muthu Mariamman Kovil, a temple worshipped by the Hindus. This historical temple established nearly 200 years ago. This Hindu temple is a beautiful creation, where the lavishly embellished 33 m high Raja Gopuram is one of the tallest in the country. It is very attractive with more than 1,000 deities populating the tower.
The annual Theru festival is a grand event with illuminated and heavily decorated chariots with deities parading the streets. This annual festival begins in March at an auspicious time. The statues of Lord Murugan, Shivan, Ganeshan, and Goddess Pattini take along the streets in procession in beautifully illuminated and decorated chariots.
11. Nalanda Gedige
Do you know where the central point of Sri Lanka is? You’ll find it if you visit Nalanda Gedige in Matale. Matale city geographically lies in the heart of the island and the mid centre of the country lies in the premises of Nalanda Gedige. Situated 20 km north of Matale town, this is a Buddhist temple, but a hybrid of Buddhist and Hindu temple architectures.
It is a masterpiece of beauty and a fascinating archaeological site, where Hindu sculptural tradition meets Buddhist art. It believes as constructed between the 8th to 10th centuries. There are many artistic sculptures that show the fusion of Buddhist and Hindu Architecture including moonstones, elephant guards, and the dwarfs on the doorways.
12. Sembuwatta Lake
Sembuwatta Lake is a breathtaking sight set amidst scenic mountains and forests inside the Elkaduwa plantation in Matale. Although a man-made lake, it is filled with natural spring water and has a depth of around 9 -12 m. This lake is bordered by lush green tea gardens and thick pine trees from the Campbell Forest Reserve where you can enjoy magnificent views of deep blue waters and misty mountains.
The lake can be considered as a top leisure travel destination since various activities such as zip-lining, swan or motorboat riding, and canoeing is available. The lake is fairly deep, where bathing and swimming in the lake is not allowed. But both adults and kids can enjoy in a separate nearby swimming pool.
You can also reserve a holiday bungalow with all modern facilities which can accommodate 12- 15 adults to stay in the night at this beautiful place. It is a serene and peaceful destination ideal to get a break from your busy life. Indeed, Sembuwatta Lake is a place that reflects the natural beauty of hill country as its most magnificent and you will enjoy every moment of this journey.
Matale is a charming destination with spectacular scenic beauty in Sri Lankan hill country. It is pristine, beautiful and a little backward in terms of development, but visiting there is very well worth it. If you like to get away from busy city life and immerse yourself in the calm and quiet nature, this is the best destination in Sri Lanka. Visit Matale and witness the ultimate beauty of Sri Lanka. Happy traveling to Matale city for everyone!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Twitter, Facebook, and Dreamstime. All copyrights reserved by original authors,
