I wanted to do something new so decided to go through Google maps and thought of heading towards Bogawanthalawa on a Saturday morning with Chamara. First day we had a failed attempt on Kotagala mountain which we only managed 60%. So after a tiring attempt we decided to call it a day and we lodged at Bogawanthalawa.

Bopaththalawa is a plain just like Horton plains and I still remember that it was mentioned in our social studies syllabus while schooling. It may be a small plain but it’s a lovely isolated location surrounded by mountains. Our main intention was to climb Bopaththalawa mountain so we could have a clear view towards unfamiliar regions.

The map – click to enlarge

Google view – click to enlarge

the gap from Bogawana division which leads to Bopaththalawa

Bopaththalawa hill

as seen from Bogawanthalawa

Next day morning we had breakfast at Bogawanthalawa and we headed along the north cove road for few hundred meters until we came across a road to the left with a name board saying Bogawana division. With the aid of Google maps we were able to drive up to SD bungalow of Lynsted division. We halted our vehicle at this point and started walking with estate workers who were headed to Bopaththalawa farm. It was a 30 minute walk to reach Bopaththalawa plains and last part was a zig zag ascend (some call it Jacob’s ladder). Always there are people traveling along this path because they go to work at the farm. The path merges with the flat path of Bopaththalawa and we diverted from the main path at this point.

Bogawana division

Lynsted division where we halted the vehicle

the gap towards bopaththalawa

beautiful tea country

the foot path

along the zig zag path

looking back from the path

oh lovely

ah finally entered Bopaththalawa

Showing the path

The grassy mountain was an easy climb and we first climbed on to a flat rock which was clearly seen from Bogawanthalawa. After hanging around a bit we crossed over to the main rock and started ascending. It took us about 40 minutes to get to the rocky top. Though the mountain range extended towards the Elabedda range we decided to stop at the scenic point.

opposite peak

climbing the flat hill on the left

Kirigalpoththa seen

Hypnale sp’s

on top of the flat rock

peace pagoda of Nallathanniya seen

view towards Norwood

on the top

kirigalpoththa

The view on one side was all about Bogawanthalawa, Norwood, Castlereigh & Adams peak. On the other side we clearly saw the whole of Bopaththalawa plain and farm, Kirigalpoththa, Agrabopath, Thotupola, Mipilimana range, Hakgala, Great western, Piduruthalagala and Dolosbage range. The summit was a panoramic one and we enjoyed taking few panoramas for few minutes before descending back.

next we headed towards the Bopaththalawa proper

bopaththalawa plain seen on the way

sloped

more to climb

slope increasing

Sri pade

where we came from

nice place to camp

towards the sky

great western on the left and hakgala on the right

bopaththalawa

the farm

last bit

looking back

castlereigh reservoir and seven virgins at the backdrop

extension of peak wilderness

summit of SL

probably dolosbage range

getting closer

ah almost there

rocky

towards great western

agrabopath – Kudagala on left and kirigalpoththa on right

totupola on right

towards Bogawanthalawa

Sri pade

Norwood

Bogawanthalawa town

virgin forest

Piduruthalagala

towards HP

the farm – plain

towards Bogawanthalawa

the drop

Bopaththalawa range

Bogawana

lovely place

Bopaththalawa

pano towards norwood

pano towards bopaththalawa

what a scenery

the grassy plain

Our descent was a quick and less exhausting one. Though we gained an altitude of 500m’s it wasn’t felt a bit because of the climate. Once we got to Bogawanthalawa we noted that the mountain was almost covered with mist and we were happy with our early ascend. From Bogawanthalawa we headed towards Thalawakele for the next adventure saying good bye to Bopaththalawa.

lovely

free as a bird

the adjecent flat hill

scenic

the peak we climbed

going back

view from jacobs ladder