I still remember how we first planned to do a trip together in 2010 but it only came true in 2013. Last year when Priyanjan suggested of climbing Narangala “I said I would not attempt it without him” and finally that day arrived during this August vacation. Actually Priyanjan was the one who found information about the route and etc other than that I only found some information posted by Kishan long time ago on this forum about Narangala. One would wonder why this mountain is so special.

It was end of the monsoons and everywhere seemed to be flooded. I did have few free days in hand but couldn’t think of a better thing to do other than a rail hike. Since I dint get a chance to do a long distance hike after last year’s 90km “Pada Yathra” I thought of walking 70km along the railway backwards from Badulla. Usually many hikers do not do the Badulla – Haputale stretch because nothing much to see but you won’t believe, there are plenty to see around.

This idea came up as our uncle wanting to go to Badulla to check a land for his son to buy and asked if we wanted to join. Since it was Independence-day time and a long vacation, my friend and I joined him for the journey. We left early for Fort station to catch the 5.55 am Podi Menike train to Badulla. However, when we came to the station, it was over-flowing with people and there were queues everywhere.