The map and the route – Click Map to Enlarge

Quote: Wadinagala which is 2400ft in height was our main target and it has been on my mind for few months, it is located within the Gal Oya national park bordering Jayanthi wewa and the area is over populated by wild elephants. This peak is known to be one of the mountains which lord Budhdha considered before choosing Sri Pada. Unfortunately our guide discouraged us saying it’s difficult to climb in one day and get down without getting caught to elephants. So we had to agree with him considering all the facts.

If there is a will there is always a way, the above text was quoted from my previous attempt to climb mount Wadinagala(බුදුන් වඩින්න ආ ගල = වඩිනාගල) which is the second highest peak of Gal Oya sanctuary. My desire was my driving force. As I have learnt over the years there are no dreams that cannot be achieved and this is one of those which I accomplished successfully. Wadinagala Mountain may be unknown to many people simply because it’s located in a wild life park. It is one of the scenic rocks I have ever climbed up. As told by my guide, others who visited this place always came in search of treasure and I was the only one who came to enjoy Mother Nature’s creation.

Wadinagala as seen from Buddama

as seen from Iginiyagala

as seen from Kossapola

Wadinagala peak as seen from govinda hela

zoomed

as seen from jayanthi wewa

the summit peak resembling sri pada

We actually planned to stay the night in the forest so we did prepare for camping also. At around 7am we left from Buddama towards the “wadiya” of Punchi banda located close to Miriswatte. And after filling up some water we walked further towards the abandoned village of Miriswatte at the base of the Wadinagala mountain range. From here onwards it was a shear climb which required frequent pit stops through the dense forest. The fallen leaves were not helpful at all and our task was made tougher. After climbing through two huge rocky hills we came to a flat area on top of the mountain range where many elephants roam around at evenings. We sat on a bed of rock and had our breakfast while enjoying the surrounding scenery. The part of the mountain range with the summit point joins the west flank at these plains and to reach the summit point we had to travel few more hours through plains and conquer few mini hills. We could only slightly see the peak from the point where we had breakfast.

we had to climb through this angled mountain patch first

this is the first snap taken after climbing the tough hill

the peak was still far away from our reach

scenery towards Koduru hela from the spot where we had breakfast

Panama panguwa and govinda hela

After getting on with our journey we came across and flat forest patch where there were plenty of streams which surprised me a lot. I really didn’t expect to find a flowing water stream on the mountain during this dry season. After passing the stream we came to natural rock cave where we left our camping equipment and filled up our water bottles before we commenced the second phase. This area is heavily populated by wild elephants because of the water streams, so we did not hang around a much. Next we had to climb another small mountain to reach the base of the range with the summit point. This last climb was tough because there were dried leaves going 1 foot below the surface and it was like walking on sponge.

my watchfull alerted guide

just laid

they have rubbed their backs on this rock

ferns

some ones home

a water stream

and more streams

the cave

giant trees

captured

almost reaching the main mountain range

At last we reached the main Range, from here onwards we needed to walk along the mountain range until we reached the summit rock. On the way we decided to go to the edge and try and get some idea of the distance we had to go. And we also did come across two scenic view points too. Just before the summit there was a challenge we had to take, it was a rock where we had to climb 4WD clinging on to ridges. From here onwards it was about 100meters to our destination.

while walking along the range

and it got steep again

first sight of the summit from a view point

Jayanthi wewa

a window towards hevan

the bund of jayanthi wewa

a view of Gal oya from the second view point

towards Meeyagala and baduluwela

jayanthi wewa bunt

iginiyagala bunt

Namal oya reservoir

towards the summit

Namunukula seen far away

pointed

Maragala kanda rangfe

the largest resevoir in Sri lanka

what a location

When we arrived at the summit it was close to 2pm. The summit is a small angled rock where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole of Gal oya valley. This hike was totally worth it especially because I could capture the whole of Senanayake reservoir (largest in SL) in to a single snap. Other interesting landmarks were Degal hela of Siyambalanduwa, Lahugala region, the Eastern coast, Westminister abbey, Panamapanguwa, Buddama hela, Muthukandiya lake, Meeyagala mountain range including Kithal hela and Kukulamulla hela, Maragalakanda, Namunukula, Poonagala hills, Passra miountains, Nape mountain range , flat plains of Wadinagala, Ul hela and other Peaks towards Nilgala, Udaparwatha hela, Mullegama, Iginiyagala dam and mountain, Jayanthi lake and its dam, Namal oya, Pallan oya ,Ampara lake, Koduru hela, Sugaladevi lake, Panalgama wewa and more

Finally the summit of Wadinagala

Towards Meeyagala

Towards Muthukandiya and Buddama

Shadow of a cloud

Pallan oya lake

Towards Govinda hela, Panamapanguwa & Degal hela

Part of jayanthi lake

Westminister abbey

end of a river and a begining of a lake

the area where we had breakfast and mountain ranges of Kukulamulla and kithal hela

Panorama of Jayanthi lake and Buddama

a panorama showing Gal oya and jayanthi lakes

Maragalakanda

wow!

Edge of the world

the drop

towards Ambala oya

towards lahugala & Hulannuge

the eastern coastal line

Muthukandiya zoomed

hawanwarawa lake and mountains of Dombagahawela

Maragala range and kithal hela

Nape mountain and bandarawela hills in backdrop

marked on the rock

towards UL hela

Senanayake reservoir of Sri Lanka

Iginiyagala mountain and the dam

towards Mullegama side

where the two lakes seperate from each other

There was a provincial mark on the top of the rock (Uva & Eastern border) which locals believed as a sign of treasure. After hanging around we decided to return back and it didn’t take 15 minutes even before a thunder storm arrived out of nowhere and gave us something which we didn’t expect. Somehow we returned back to the cave where we left our bags and decided to spend the night there if requested. Quickly we boiled some water and made some tea with “Kubuk Potu” which was the ideal drink at that time since we were 100% soaked. The forest was getting dark and icy cold following the thunder showers and we decided not to camp out in this bad weather. So we started our descent from the cave at around 4.30pm.

the cave was the perfect shelter

my crew

collecting

Kubuk potu been boiled

Sun set over Wadinagala range

The downhill journey was extremely hazardous due to leech attacks and the slippery nature of earth. We had to cling on to creepers often, otherwise it would have been a down the Pallam roller coaster ride. The worst part was the last part which had an angle of about 60 degrees. However we came to Miriswatte around 6.30pm to end one of the most difficult hikes I have done. My two guides decided to rest in the ‘wadiya’ until the next day while I got in to a trishaw and left dreaming about my bed at Monaragala. There are some left over marks of tick attacks on my waist despite been bitten 2 months back while in the forest of Wadinagala which reminds me of this adventure daily.