04 April 2010

Paradise for a Hiker


This picture was taken close to Haldummulla on A4 road. The two pointed mountains on the left are known as Balathoduwa and Gonmolli Kanda. Both are over 2000 metres high. The plateau on your right is Horton Plains and the valley in between is where you find Bambarakanda waterfall.

Balathoduwa and Gonmolli Kanda are visible from World’s End, if it is a clear day without heavy mist. If you look closer in the picture, you may see a smaller mountain in front of Balathoduwa. It is known as Wangedigala belonging to the same mountain range. It was used as a watch tower in the ancient times.

I wanted to show this picture because, what lies in front of you is a paradise for a hiker!

To see more scenic images, explore this wonderful site - Scenic Sunday.

27 comments:

rainfield61 said...

Your title attracts me, and would like to know more.

Paradise. Wow!!

Janith said...

Beautiful picture K! I passed this area some months back and it offers some of the most stunning views on a Sri Lankan highway... great capture! :D

Betsy Banks Adams said...

The picture is great, K, especially once I enlarged it. The mountain ranges are gorgeous. SO--are you getting ready to take that hike??????
Betsy

Loshini said...

The World's End looked gorgeous when I clicked on the link..

The road winds a lot, so I'm guessing highly mountainous terrain?

Verna Luga said...

thanks for dropping by my blog ... this photo is awesone ... so peaceful journey..

White Monarch
Majestic Mt. Apo
Happy Easter

Anonymous said...

is this a advert for maganaguma as well? ;)

George said...

I definitely would think I was in paradise hiking through this scene. It's breathtakingly beautiful.

Harshi said...

Stunning pic. Didn't even know about most of those peaks. Thanks for enlightening on them.

Me-shak said...

K, shaa:D Sira pictures:D
I love the clouds and the mountain basically everything!
Super stuff!
clean the windscreen a little :P

Cheers!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Me-shak,
Thanks mate! Yes windscreen was bit dusty after a 200 km non-stop journey :D

Nicole said...

That's gorgeous!
I bet one could spend weeks there, just hiking.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Nicole,
Yep, infact one might need months to explore all the areas there :)

Kirigalpoththa said...

Rainfield,
I will definitely bring more about this area soon :)

Chavie,
Yep this stretch of A4 offers one of the best driving experiences in Sri Lanka :)

Betsy,
I have hiked in this region many a times in the past. But for the last 2 years I could not do any hikes here, So hopefully I’m planning to hike hear again. :)

Loshini,
This area is quite mountainous and the road climbs higher towards Haputhale area.
You will love world’s end if you get a chance to visit there. It is better than what the picture shows :)

Vernz,
Thanks for dropping by!

Anonymous,
I think the government can easily use a few clips like above and do a major campaign on ‘Maganeguma’. Infact I traveled recently from CMB - Yala and back and roads were in immaculate condition. My route was CMB - Padukka - Ingiriya - Rathnapura - Balangoda - Haputhale - Ella - Wellawaya - Thissa - Kirinda - Yala - Kirinda - Thissa - Hambanthota - Sooriyawewa - Embilipitiya - Pelmadulla - Rathnapura - Colombo.
Other than Padukka - Ingiriya (Which was at terrible condition) and Kirinda - Palatupana (This stretch is within a reserve area so it should be kept that way to reduce high speeding) the rest of the roads were as good as anywhere. I have to admit that I felt the same feeling as I was driving in somewhere in the Europe like North Wales.

George,
You will be able to see many waterfalls in addition to Bambarakanda in this area - You may be able to add quite a few to your waterfall count :)

Harumi,
You are welcome! I will try to show the same peaks from a few different elevations like this one and this one, if I could get a few pictures during next few weeks.

Thanks all for your comments!

Naquillity said...

if i were closer i wouldn't mind taking a hike there. it looks very inviting. hope all is well.

Arti said...

great place..would love to tour there one day..yhanks for the visual treat

www.myyatradiary.blogspot.com

Jingle said...

http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/easter-sunday-awards-to-fill-your-basket/

Happy Belated Easter!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

amazing as always!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Naquillity / Arti / Ji / Jingle,
Thanks all for your wonderful comments!

Penny Says said...

lovely...

Kirigalpoththa said...

Penny,
Thanks a lot!

cat said...

Such green and lush mountains. You have captured them beautifully:)

foto CHIP said...

I can understan that it is a paradise :)

Kirigalpoththa said...

Cat / fotoCHIP,
Thanks a lot for your comments!

Carolyn Ford said...

Please lead the way! I'm ready for a hike!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Carolyn,
I'll certainly do that :)
Await more hking excursions in this area!
Thanks a lot for your comments.

Tammie Lee said...

you share such wonderful places for those of us that love to hike. thank you~

Kirigalpoththa said...

Tammie,
Glad you like my posts and they are just for those who love nature and hiking like you!