Bearing a unique resemblance to the knuckles of a clenched fist, Knuckles Mountain Range consists of five prominent peaks and 34 other smaller peaks. Filled with breathtaking hiking trails with unspoiled beauty, this is the best hiking and trekking area in Sri Lanka. The Knuckles Mountain terrain suits both beginner and experienced trekkers, where it offers popular hiking trails as well as off-the-beaten trekking routes. Hence Knuckles is widely known as the hiker’s heaven in Sri Lanka.
The Knuckles Mountain Range is a biodiversity hotspot, declared as one of the eight UNESCO world heritage sites in the country. The lush green forests in Knuckles provide a habitat for an exceptional number of endemic species of flora and fauna. Without a doubt, this is an ideal place for bird watching in Sri Laka with a number of rare endemic bird species. It also features dense cloud forests, as well as streams and rivers that flow through the fertile mountain valleys. Certainly, this mountain range is the most important water catchment area in the country.
Knuckles range is a popular place for camping among both local and foreign visitors. As well, it is the best place for waterfall hunting in Sri Lanka. It is home to more than 60 waterfalls spread in the entire range. It is possible to see 7-10 major waterfalls within one day of hiking through the mountains. Some of the hidden waterfalls in Knuckles are so spectacular and completely worthy of visiting.
Access to Knuckles Mountain Range
The Knuckles can be approached from Kandy or Matale cities. From each city, you need to travel around 40 km to the Knuckles range. If you are traveling from Kandy, first you need to reach Hunnasgiriya, then Loolwatta, and next to Corbett’s Gap and Meemure. It is better to arrange private transportation by hiring a taxi or van to reach there. Rather than visiting Knuckles solo, it is advised to go hiking as groups with the support of a local guide.
If you like to know what are the most beautiful places to see in Knuckles, here is brief guidance from us. We have summarized all the top scenic places in the Knuckles Mountain Range, where you can discover the ultimate beauty of Sri Lankan hill country.
1. Corbett’s Gap
Corbett’s Gap is a popular attraction with magnificent views of the Knuckles range. It was named after the British surveyor Corbett who mapped the area. It opens out to several hundred kilometers long stunning views of the hill country. The top of the mountain is a wind funnel where the wind comes between two mountains. The elevation in altitude will bring you to a completely different climatic habitat and a mountainous terrain with plenty of cool, fresh air.
2. Meemure
When you are exploring through the Knuckles Mountain Range, you’ll come across a beautiful remote village filled with natural beauty. This village is Meemure, a blessed place with gorgeous landscapes. There you’ll see some striking mountain views including this triangular shape, 1310 m high Lakegala peak.
There are several access points to Lakegala rock, but the safest access road is from Meemure Village. Although this mountain is quite photogenic, the steep angle of the rock makes hiking it rather difficult. It considers one of the most dangerous hikes in Sri Lanka.
3. Manigala
There are dozens of interesting mountain peaks with popular hiking trails in the Knuckles Mountain Range. Among them, Manigala is one of the best hiking trails with breathtaking sceneries. Manigala ridge is 1104 m high, 750 m long, and 250 m broad tabletop mountain. Since the road to the summit is well-defined, it can be climbed easily within one hour hike. When you reach the summit, you will find an incredible panorama of nature’s beauty at its greatest.
Manigala is famous among visitors, due to its universal power in the summit. It considers a great spot to hike early in the morning and meditate for about an hour or two. You can concentrate the mind in a short period and you’ll feel the universal energy in the surroundings. Therefore, it is becoming a famous hiking spot among tourists, who like to feel the power and energy of this mighty mountain.
4. Yahangala
Yahangala or Bed Rock is one of the important places related to the epic legend of Ramayana. It is the place where the great king Ravana is sleeping until he wakes up again. This mountain is believed to be protected by God “Galē Bandāra”.
Since this mountain considers a holy place with spiritual powers, travelers have to come with good intentions for climbing. The hiking is quite risky and adventurous, where you may need support from local guides. Although climbing is strenuous, the site gives an excellent 360-degree view of the surrounding area.
5. Riverston
Riverston trek is one of the most popular, fairly easy hiking trails in the Knuckles Mountain range. It is about two and a half km one way and you can reach the viewpoint within an hour or two at most. It runs a section known as the Pitawala Pathana and then leads to Riverston Peak.
Riverston is highly famous among hikers since trekking through forests, rivers, and waterfalls gives a wonderful experience. You’ll pass tea plantations and terraced paddy fields while trekking through the area. This area is home to a few of the most spectacular hidden waterfalls, including Bambarakiri Ella and Sera Ella.
6. Mini World’s End
Situated close to Riverstone is another picturesque viewpoint calls as Mini World’s End or Pitawala Pathana in Sinhala. This escarpment has a sheer drop of several hundred meters, where you can get a panoramic view of misty mountains, stunning valleys, and lush green forests. Crystal clear streams and waterfalls enhance the beauty of the surroundings.
Since Mini world’s end and Riverston peak locates on the same hiking trail, you can visit both places within one day. Clearly, it’s one of the most photogenic spots in Sri Lanka, where you can capture a jaw-dropping Instagram shot.
7. Rangala Pool
Rangala natural pool is one of the most popular interesting places among local travelers. It is famous as an alluring, but deadly natural pool in the Knuckles range. The pool is so beautiful with crystal clear water flowing like a waterfall through two boulders. One edge of this inviting pool is ideal for bathing with only a few inches of water. You can also see the bottom covered with pebbles on this side closer to the bridge.
But little is known about the danger of the deep pool at the far end. There is a base pool, where the small waterfall brings water into this pool. This natural base pool is quite deep with a depth reaching almost over 30 feet. Therefore, it is strongly advised to be extra cautious while bathing in this beautiful, but deadly Rangala pool.
8. Knuckles Infinity Pool
Knuckles Infinity Pool is a hidden gem in the lush green jungles in the Knuckles Mountain Range. It is one of the top scenic places with extraordinary beauty, where you cannot find such a place anywhere else in Sri Lanka. You’ll meet this picturesque place while hiking through the Duwili Ella trail, a popular hiking trail in the area. Although this trail is a fairly strenuous one, it will give you an adventurous, yet a wonderful hiking experience in Sri Lanka.
Since this trek is quite long, it is best done over two days. There are some fabulous spots to camp overnight offering wonderful night sky views. Once you reach the Knuckles Infinity Pool, you’ll be enchanted by the spectacular scenery. This is a place where you can get an epic photogenic shot of Knuckles Mountain Range.
This place is highly famous among local travelers to get the wonderful picture-perfect shot of the pool. The amazing view of the infinity pool in the background of the Knuckles range is simply stunning. Here you can see a marvelous snap taken at this pool. Evidently, this shot is just wonderful beyond imagination.
9. Duwili Ella
Duwili Ella trail is one of the toughest, but completely worthy treks in Knuckles. It leads you to the 40 m Duwili Ella waterfall hidden far deep in the jungle. The most striking feature of the fall is the cave behind this waterfall.
This photogenic spot makes it completely worth the hard walk. You need to climb up the fall to reach the cave. Once you reach the cave, it’s an unbelievable sight to see the water curtain of Duwili Ella crashing down spreading the mist of water.
10. Dumbara Falls
Dumbara Ella is one of the many lovely waterfalls in the Knuckles Mountain range. This 20 m high waterfall is a joy to behold. You need a few hours trek through the jungle to see this beautiful waterfall.
11. Hulu Ganga Falls
This is a spectacular waterfall located at Hulu Ganga Town, in a quiet rural area in the Knuckles Mountain Range. Hulu River comes down from about 75 m in height forming the beautiful Hulu Ganga Falls. This is a photogenic fall, often used as a photo shoot and filming location.
12. Jodu Ella
Jodu Ella is one of the popular bunch of waterfalls surrounding Hulu Ganga. The twin falls of Jodu Ella Falls have identical heights of 45 m and cascades simultaneously. It looks like a couple, hence giving the name Jodu Ella. Before reaching the falls, the water flows down seven cascades through several pools. The surrounding area is abundant with medicinal plants and a wide variety of wildlife.
13. Saree Ella
25 m high Saree Ella is located in Gomara village in Bambarella. This is one popular access point to the Knuckles mountain range and this area is home to a number of waterfalls surrounding Hulu Ganga. This fall takes the form of a ladies saree, thus got its name. The fall consists of a number of cascades and a famous waterfall in the area. There is a nice & cool base pool to have a natural bath in Saree Ella.
14. Hunnas Falls
Hunnas Falls locates at Hunnasgiriya, 1765 m above sea level in the Knuckles Mountain range. A Group of five streams leads to form 48 m high and 12 m wide Hunnas Falls which flows to Sudu Ganga River.
Beautiful Hunnas Falls locates at the foot of the Hunnas Hotel, a famous romantic hotel in the area. Above the Hunnas falls lies 32 hectares of land with an artificial lake and patch of jungle. This woodland is home to a wide variety of wildlife and consists of many rare trees and orchid species.
Best tips for you
Some hiking trails in Knuckles range are off-the-beaten trails, where you can easily get lost on the way. Therefore, hiking with a professional guide is highly recommended. Local guides are well experienced in hiking and let you choose from different trails depending on your requirements. There are many tour operators to get support for your Knuckles trekking.
The climate of the Knuckles Mountain range is unpredictable and constantly changing, and the thick fog can cover up the entire area in just a few minutes. The Monsoon rain period is best avoided. You should take careful note of weather forecasts before arranging the trip. This will help you to enjoy the best weather on the day of your adventure.
Remember to take enough snacks, food, and water for trekking. Knuckles is filled with many pure water resources, so bring a reusable water bottle to fill it. In addition, a first aid kit and leach protection aids are quite useful for your trekking. Check out our packing list for Sri Lanka and make sure you have included all essential items for your Sri Lanka travel.
To sum up. the Knuckles Mountain Range is Sri Lanka’s finest hiking and trekking area, where nature lovers can explore the wonders of the region. It is a great place where you can see the magnificent vistas of the rocks and mountains covered with lush green jungles. You can spend days upon days walking in the fascinating Knuckles range. If you like to capture some stunning nature shots of Sri Lanka, there is no other place to beat the charming beauty of Knuckles Mountain Range. Welcome guys, Enjoy nature’s beauty at its greatest at Knuckles!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Twitter, and Facebook. All copyrights reserved by original authors.
