Horton Plains
Horton Plains National Park is a national park in the highlands of
Sri Lanka. It lies about 20 kilometres south of Nuwara Eliya and 20 kilometres
west of Haputale, 2000 metres above seat level among the second and third tallest
mountains in Sri Lanka - Kirigalpotta and Totapola. The average temperature
in this area is about 16 C. With high winds in the evening it can be quite chilly.
The park covers 31.60 km², and is a mixture of highland forest and wet
grassland. This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed
to walk on their own on the designated tracks.
You can reach Horton plains through Bandarawela or Nuwara Eliya which is about
1 ½ hour drive. It is also possible to take the train up to the Ohiya
Station and walk up to the plains which may take about 3-4 hours. But remember
this is a uphill climb. There is no accommodation at the plains except two lodges
and three camping sites which you must book beforehand.
Sambar is the most common animal in the plains but wild boars and leopards
too can be found in this area.
Once you reach Horton plains you can visit the worlds end which is a 4000 feet
straight vertical drop. This is of course a 4 kilometre walk from the car park
on a beautiful path. This drop can be covered with mist most of the time the
and the best time to be up at the worlds end is towards the afternoon. On the
way you can also see the bakers falls which is about 2.5 kilometres from the
entrance .
Access
Horton Plains can be reached by any of the following routes:
- from Colombo to Horton Plains ( 101 miles / 163 km)
- Via Nuwara Eliya, Ambewela, Pattipola (20 miles/32 km)
- Haputale or Welimada, Boralanda, Ohiya (24 miles/38km)
- Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala, Rendapola, Ambewela, Pattipola (24 miles/38 km).
Adventurous visitors can trek into the park along the Thalawakele-Agarapatana-Diyagama and the Belihul Oya-Nagarak trails.
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