Urakanda (980m) is the giant standing next to famous Bathalegala. Though Bathalegala is a popular destination among travelers Urakanda has not derived attraction. This is the summary of journey to Urakanda from Hettimulla side

Year and Month 2014 August Number of Days One Crew 2 Accommodation N/A Transport Motor Bicycle Activities Hiking, Photography and nature exploring Weather Rainy Route Colombo -> Kegalle -> Aranayaka road up to Gevilapitiya Returned on the same route Tips, Notes and Special remark There are 2km long concreted road from the aranayake main road. […]

I have been to Bathalegala twice and on both occasions I did note the massive mountain close to it which is called Ura kanda / Ashraff kanda. It is well known by many because in year 2000 a helicopter carrying Minister Ashraff and 14 others crashed mysteriously causing their tragic demise. This 980m mountain is said to be tough to tackle and many who have attempted have done it from the rocky side, during the rainy season.

During my early school days I was assuming Batalegala is the Sigiriya Rock. So whenever I pass Kadugannawa I was thinking that we are living close by Sigiriya. After I was taken in school trip to Sigiriya only I realized the truth 🙂 Rachitha, Nafly and I gathered in Mawanella around 10 am and took a bus to Aranayaka, We got down from Gewilipitiya town and took a three wheeler to Hathgampola junction.

The people who’ve been on either along the road or by train must have seen a gorgeous girlie from Kadugannawa towards Aranayake. She’s so unique and iconic; you simply can’t have missed seeing her. I’ve seen many people including myself, craning their necks out of the windows to get a better look at her.

So it was 7 in the morning when we got off the bus at Mawanella with a crew of three, had our breakfast and hired a three wheeler to Uthuwankanda junction (1.5km from Mawanella), turned right at the junction to Uthuwam Mawatha. It is possible to travel in a vehicle along this road to get closer to the destination but since we needed to see the surroundings we started our journey on foot from the junction, after about 1km turned left to a concrete paved way which was heading toward Saradiyel Gala and about 500m ahead we found the trail head.

Batalegala Kanda, situated in Kandy, and visible as you reach Kadugannawa Pass is shrouded in thick jungle from time immemorial. If you love Sceneries and want a one day hike Bible’s rock is a good place to be, we did climb this special rock few months back. It took us only 12hours to climb it and return back to Colombo.