The Forbidden peak of Hetakatuwegala(1100m)

The map – Click to enlarge

Google map – Click to enlarge

I have been recently stuck with around the clock duty for 1 ½ months and I finally decided that I needed a break and the best way to relax things off was a hike and as usual I wanted to introduce a new location. There were many peaks in my long list but this time I wanted to do one with a superb view and after some map reading sessions I did plan out everything perfectly.

Me and my wife took off from Chilaw and met Werner who is a family friend of mine at Hunnasgiriya. He had come on his bike because we weren’t returning back to Colombo. From Ududumbara we took the road via Bopana to Mahawela. We didn’t speak to any locals because we had already planned everything according to Google map and Earth. Winding roads from Ududumbara was very dangerous to drive on because of speeding bikes and trishaws. The last stretch of the road was covered with bushes but I managed to create the lost road so Werner could follow me. We finally halted at a pines plot where there was evidence of an upcoming elephant’s fence.

We were planning to go parallel to a dried out stream until we reached the summit. But after entering the forest we did come across a clear foot path and it ran along the route we intended to take. It was a great relief that I preloaded the area map on my Google maps and it did aid our hike. It was initially a gradual incline and then it was an easy climb. The forest was a dry zone mountain forest so it’s really easy to hike. After a while trees started to get shorter and converted in to mountain forest. Last bit was bit bushy but we went along the stream and reached the grassy part. A small climb from here brought us on to the 2^nd peak.

Hetakatuwe gala as seen from 18 bends

Paddy at hunnasgiriya

Entering VRR reserve

up we go

easy terrain

mushroom life

and more

short trees

first view point

entering the grassy part

last bit to climb

towards eastern knuckles

To our surprise it was very windy and to be honest this was the windiest place I have ever been to. We were blown out few times because we were bit tired. We found some bushes to rest for a while before deciding to explore. There was a rocky area on this second summit with a splendid view but we decided to cross over to the highest peak. The highest peak had a 360 panoramic view but the wind didn’t let us enjoy it leisurely. Somehow we found some points with less wind and started capturing the beauty from our lenses.

I was glad that I found such a heavenly location after a long time. Actually this is the eastern edge of central hills and one could easily appreciate all the landmarks of Eastern Sri Lanka. The most fascinating scenery was seen the lakes around Mahiyangana and the main feeder of those which is Mahaweli river lying like a long snake in line with those tanks. Seen Mahiyangana Dhageba was something we would cherish for many years. On the other side many peaks of Knuckles range could be seen. We saw landmarks belonging to 4 provinces at this scenic point.

2nd summit

towards mahiyanganaya

madulsima range and loggal oya at its base

Mapakada and nagadheepa lakes

Kehelpathdoruwa peak

climbing peak no1

wow

Peak no1

grassy – there was elephant dung too

lovely scenery

view towards mahiyanganaya

Mahiyangana town

Mahiyangana temple

bridge across mahaweli

Soro bora lake and kokagala seen behind it

Ulhitiya reservoir and maduru oya reservoir seen behind it

18 bends

Kehelpathdoruwa and yaangala. top of rathna ella could be seen on the right bottom

mahaweli river

Dimbulagala seen far away

lonely tree

Debarawa lake and mahaweli river with the temple

ulhitiya and rathkinda

friars hood

mountains of nilgala seen far away

landscape

no idea what this tree is

vertical shots

namunukula partly covered and narangla peak

the drop of central hills

Velangala pathana

towards central hills

Kukulagala – Rikillagaskada

avoiding the wind

view towards gal padi hela

i know kasun will love this one

pnao towards mahiyanganaya

pano towards central hills

heaven

windy

geradigala and dumbanagala seen to the left

knuckles, dothalugala covered with mist

look at the wind

miracles are seen only on mountains

rock point of 2nd peak

lovely camping spot

After along stay we started descending and ended our journey around 11.30am. We were happy that we ended this earlier than we thought but then things turned bad. My Jeep gave trouble starting and we had to get a Mechanic from Hunnasgiriya to fix things otherwise we would have been stranded in this jungle. We were blessed to have Werner and his bike as assistance otherwise it would have taken a long time. From Mahawela we found a shortcut to Themmitiyawa and reached the Mahiyangana road where we had a cup of tea and said good bye to Werner. This guys is another untouched area in our pearl island but unfortunately (for hikers) it lies in protected territory (we got to know this later). Hope you would like this wonderful scenic adventure to Hetakatuwegala.

another vertical shot

getting down

bushy part

lost path

faded foot path

time for a snap

invasive

ah more mushrooms

some action

view from 18 bends