I was searching for a place to do some trekking as some of my best buddies with whom I have enjoyed some memorable hikes, were available for some fun…. After going through some of the places I thought of paying a visit to Knuckles. This time my place of choice was Thangappuwa as I was not able to hike from Thangappuwa for which I was not happy at all. So days were fixed and weather forecast though not 100% perfect was fine.

I was travelling between Karawanella and Rajagriya few times in the past month and had few opportunities to visit places close to Karawanella. 1st day I went to Yatiyanthota and took the Seaforth road. Seaforth road winds around villages and rubber plantation areas and Wee oya providing unique views. Though this road is not carpeted, it can be easily navigated by a car.

After hectic 3 months of studies and few “ordinary relaxing trips with family” I finally had little precious time to do some explorations. But as most us well aware that next difficult thing in planning a hike is finding partners. As I was free only on week days I decided to hike all alone. Then I needed to find a suitable place to hike as a lone trekker. I remembered Adara Kanda and contacted Ashan ayya, and got to know that the trail is well cleared and can do by myself.

was dreaming for close to one year on conquer the Delwala Seven Falls….. I had the chance to hike the 1st two falls (1st three falls, according to my count) in April, 2014…… One can refer to my earlier report…….First a brief description of the seven falls…. As many might not hear about it…. But every single main fall in the complex is more than 20 meters in height…

Road condition up-to Panamura is quite good with carpeted road…. But after passing 2-3kms road become old tar road with on and off road constructions. As there were no big pits on the road, easily motorable by a car with less speed. One has to beware of the edges of the road as road constructions and erosions have caused considerable height difference….

This is an unknown hidden beauty found in Doloswala Kanda area few meters from foot path to Pitakele from Doloswala Kanda….. It is roughly 30 feets in height and has three main sections. Amount of water is less now a day as there is a diversion for mini hydro plant. The name “Kamani” which some people in Doloswala unheard of given after a 16 year old girl committed suicide by jumping from the top of the fall few years back.

Year and Month December, 2014 Number of Days 1 Crew 4 (between 25-30 years of age & the villager who guided us) Accommodation N/A Transport Three-wheeler up to Illubekanda school and then by foot Activities Waterfall hunting, Photography, hikking Weather Gloomy with intermittent drizzle Route Nivithigala -> Kalawana -> Pothupitiya -> Illumbekanda -> Denawaka Kanda […]

Year and Month November 2014 Number of Days 1 Crew 8 (between 29-49 years of age) Accommodation N/A Transport Double cab, three wheeler rest by foot Activities Waterfall hunting, Photography, Weather Sunshine in the morning & heaving down pouring in the afternoon. Route Nivithigala -> Ratnapura -> Awissawella -> Ginigathhena -> Nawalapitiya -> Thalawakele -> […]

Year and Month October, 2014 Number of Days 1 Crew 8 (between 25-45 years of age) Accommodation Not applicable Transport 4wd Micro cab and by foot from Wathurawa Activities Water Fall hunting, Photography, off-road driving, official duty Weather Gloomy to light rain… Route Nivithigala -> Karawita -> Kalawana -> Wathurawa -> Panahatagala return on the […]

We turned left from the junction just before Paththini Devalaya and Bo tree on Panadura road coming from Ratnapura close to 38km post. We then crossed the wooden bridge over the Kalu River leading to Dumbara estate. Dumbara estate lies along the border between Ratnapura and Kalutara.

The best season to climb Kiribathgala is in the month of February… Usually villagers reserve February 4th to climb this mountain… And one can get the added advantage of proper footpath during February,(but still needed a local person) But I could not wait and decided to do it in month of October and waited till the morning showers were over. We were hoping to climb down before the evening showers….

Year and Month September, 2014 Number of Days 1 Crew 2 (between 25-30 years of age) Accommodation Not applicable Transport Car up to Athweltota then by bike until end of road, rest by foot….. Activities Waterfall hunting, Hiking, Photography Weather Excellent Route Nivithigala -> Kalawana -> Morapitiya -> Maha Ella -> Yaka Bedhi Ella -> […]