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Year and Month | 2017 May 14th |
Number of Days | One |
Crew | 03-Chamara, Nuwan and Myself |
Accommodation | N/A |
Transport | Bus and hiking |
Activities | Hiking and photography |
Weather | Excellent |
Route | Polonnaruwa->Kandy->Nuwara Eliya->Mahakudugala Estate (මහකුඩුගල වත්ත)->Mahakudugala (මහකුඩුගල)->High Forest 1->Alakolawewa (අලකොළවැව)->Mathurata (මතුරට) ->Padiyapelalla (පදියපැලැල්ල)->Kandy->Polonnaruwa |
Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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Related Resources | Trip report : Mahakudugala the most awaited hike (2100m) |
Author | Niroshan |
Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
Mahakudugala / Mahacoodugala (mentioned in estate board).
Mahakudugala is one of a peaks comes in Rawana legend. It says King Rawana’s body was hidden here 5000 years ago.
This is considered as the eleventh highest peak of Sri Lanka with 2096m height situated in Nuwara Eliya district.
The list of mountains of SL has been updated recently as Agra Bopath has come to the list as 4th highest peaks of SL. (Thanks Ranshan for preparing such a nice list and keep on updating it).
1. Piduruthalagala 2524m
2. Kirigalpoththa 2388m
3. Thotupola 2357m
4. Agra Bopath/Kudahagala 2320m
5. Sri Pada/Adam’s Peak 2243m
6. Kikiliyamana 2237m
7. Great Western 2212m
8. Hakgala 2169m
9. Conical Hill 2166m
10. One Tree Hill 2100m
11. Mahakudugala 2096m
![]() Mahakudugala in Google map |
Chamara and Myself were seeking for a peak for a one day hike and suddenly Mahakudugala came to my mind. As inter monsoon has been started we were in a doubt about rainy weather and mist. We three got together at Kandy and travelled to Nuweraeliya by bus. Weather in Nuweraeliya was brilliant and our next bus was Gonapitiya bus from Nuweraeliya. We have got down at Mahakudugala estate where we could find few boutiques. According to Ashan’s report there are two routes to reach the mountain. One is near the forest office but this route is steep. Second route is through Mahakudugala estate. We walked along the estate road to the tea factory which is not functioning now. One of a field officer of tea estate mentioned we need permission to go along the estate and he recommended us to have a guide. (Later he introduced a person who regularly goes to the peak. His charges were Rs 2000 for this mini hike and we bargained to Rs 1500).
Another two school children also came with us and altogether four guides for three clients. !
![]() Start the journey |
![]() Framed view of High forest road |
![]() Beauty of Mahacoodugala Estate |
![]() Beauty of Mahacoodugala Estate |
![]() Guides |
First we went through the tea estate and reached the estate boundary. Here onwards the mountainous forest started and wild life department pillars were seen. There was a clear foot pathway and we thought better we got a guide as we can climb in peaceful mind. It was a continuous ascends from forest boundary and we came across a camp site as well. After one hour of the journey we reached the summit point of Mahakudugala where a flag was waving off.
![]() Tea den |
![]() Beauty of Mahacoodugala estate |
![]() Tea pluckers |
![]() Smiley faces |
![]() Through tea estate |
![]() Through tea estate |
![]() Other partners of the journey: Nuwan and Chamara |
![]() Entering to the forest patch |
![]() Enjoying the journey |
![]() Mahacoodugala forest reserve |
![]() There was a clear foot pathway |
![]() Having a break |
![]() Mountainous forest |
![]() Clear foot pathway |
![]() Camp site is situated somewhere below the peak. |
![]() Reaching the peak |
Surrounding view was clear from this view point. Highest point of Sri Lanka with transmission towers were seen clearly and it hides behind the mist intermittently. Conical hill, other peaks of Piduruthalagala range, Hakgala and number of peaks of central hills were visualized. We could observe Ragala town, High forest town and tea factories as well. It doesn’t provide 360 degree view. Then we moved to next view point where you have enough space to walk. It also provides the same view.
![]() View point-1 where flag is placed |
![]() On top of Mahacoodugala |
![]() Piduruthalagala peak is covered with mist |
![]() Cleared view of highest point of SL |
![]() The drop |
![]() Towards High forest area and Kukulagala is seen far behind |
![]() On top of first peak of Mahacoodugala |
![]() Towards Ragala, Sandathanna worlds’ end |
![]() Zoomed view of vegetable plots at Mahacoodugala |
![]() Mahacoodugala tea factory and line houses |
![]() Zoomed view of estate owner’s bungalow at Mahacoodugala |
![]() The road towards High forest-1 |
![]() Maharathmal (මහරත්මල්) |
![]() At view point-2 |
![]() The Heritance tea factory at Kandapola in right hand side. Other tea factory must be in Ragala area. |
![]() Surrounding view towards Piduruthalagala range |
![]() Conical Hills and? Great Western |
![]() Nice landscapes |
![]() Trio on top of Mahacoodugala |
![]() Surrounding beauty |
![]() Getting back |
We have spent half an hour on the top and started to descend along other route. This route was steeper than the one we followed in coming up. Though we hoped to exit near forest office later they accompanied us to the same route through estate.
![]() The descend |
![]() The descend |
![]() Beauty |
![]() Velvet |
![]() Thorny |
![]() Coming down…. |
![]() Coming down…. |
![]() Horny Lizard |
![]() Media coverage for Horny Lizard |
![]() Leaves |
![]() Dry leaves |
![]() The descend |
![]() The descend |
![]() Back to the estate |
![]() Back to the estate |
![]() Mahacoodugala Tea Estate |
![]() Mahacoodugala Tea Factory |
![]() Shapes…. |
We have reached the junction of Mahakudugala-High forest and had some snacks. Our next target was to trekking from high forest to Mathurata and reach Kandy via Padiyapelalla.
We walked first and then got a bus to High forest junction. Then we got a foot pathway to Alakolawewa (short cut). We have entered the normal route at Alakolawewa and then walked to Padiyapelalla town. This was a scenic walk and could enjoy the cross section of Knuckles range as well.
After having a dip at Belihuloya at Padiyapelalla we got the bus to Kandy.
![]() Crossing the bridge between Mahakudugala to High forest-1 |
![]() Towards High Forest |
![]() Where we got down at bus. Starting of Mathurata plantation |
![]() Descend to Mathurata |
![]() Descend to Mathurata |
![]() Descend to Mathurata. Piduruthalagala range in left hand side and Kukulagala in right hand side |
![]() The Kovil at back drop of Piduruthalagala range. |
![]() Bowling…. |
![]() Batting…. |
![]() Kukulagala |
![]() Piduruthalagala range and towards Mandaram Nuwara |
![]() Reaching Alakolawewa |
![]() Cross section of Knuckles range is seen. |
![]() Harmony…. |
![]() Posing at the back drop of Kukulagala |
![]() Looked back…Where we descend from Alakolawewa. |
Thanks for reading