Mount Belgoda/බෙල්ගොඩ කන්ද (=680m)

Year and Month	2017 June 16th
Number of Days	One
Crew	05-Chamara, Nuwan, Indranatha, Anupama and Myself
Accommodation	N/A
Transport	Bus, Motor bike and Climbing
Activities	Mountain climbing, sightseeing and photography
Weather	Excellent
Route	Colombo->Rambukkana-> Katupitiya road (කටුපිටිය පාර)->Belgoda Kanda Road-> Ihalagama road->Belgoda peak (බෙල්ගොඩ කන්ද)->Returned on same way->Colombo
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Start the journey in early morning. Carry at least 1liter of water for one person. We couldn’t find water sources after starting point. This is a moderate strenuous climb. No proper foot pathway at the end. It is advisable to have a known person or a guide. We were directed by Google map. And please make aware the villagers at starting point that you are climbing the peak. No risk of trap guns in the forest. Don’t pollute the area with plastic items.Some photographs belong to Chamara Perera. View more photos through his face book album:
Author	Niroshan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Mount Belgoda/බෙල්ගොඩ කන්ද (=680m)

Belgoda Mountain is a peak of range which has 2nd highest peak of Kurunegala District-Hadurukkanda (හදුරුක්කන්ද). Hadurukkanda range extends from Kurunegala towards Rambukkana and Belgoda Mountain is situated somewhere middle of this range.
I have noticed this range during my visit to Bisogala-highest peak of Kurunegala District and wanted to conquer one of middle peaks not Hadurukkanda. Because Ashan and Chamara have been there and according to them it is not a tough hike and I kept it later.
Actually we didn’t know this mountain’s name as Belgoda till we reached it’s base. Nuwan, Indranatha and Myself came from Rambukkana side and Chamara and Anupama came from Kurunegala side. We came across a side road called Belgoda Kanda road. There are two Belgoda Kanda roads with 1.5km gap. We approached from the first Belgoda kanda road met from Rambukkana side. Then we connected to Ihalagama road. We started climbing the mountain by two motor bikes like Bisogala peak. Height elevation was from 200m to 400m by motor bikes. After about 30-45 minutes bike ride we came to a point where peak can be approached.
We talked with nearby villagers and parked our bikes at their premises. Initially there was a foot pathway and then we straightway climbed towards the peak through woods. This was an abounded rubber estate where we could notice old stone lines.

Within one hour the team reached the highest point where bushes covered the peak. We could notice some human activities and a “Massa”-මැස්ස might be made by local hunters. It was not hard to find a narrow view point towards Pothuhara (පොතුහැර) side and we were lucky to notice how rain clouds operated above the Pothuhara area. And we were able to view Rambukkana-Kurunegala road via Katupitiya etc.

View of Belgoda Kanda from Rambukkana-Kurunegala road. Note it is a peak of range of mountains.

Belgoda Mountain. Photo credit goes to Chamara

Our team except me

Initially it was on flat ground

Cocoa

Chamara gets a photo

Entering to the proper forest

Cobweb

It is an ascend…No proper foot pathway

Time for a photo

Further more to the top

Through the forest

Old stone line….

Reached the top. Some human activities noted. Highest point is covered with shrubs.

At the view point closer to the peak

Some paddy fields at Pothuhara area

Rambukkana-Kurunegala road via Katupitiya

It rains over Kurunegala side

Rainy clouds are coming…

Sky is clear after the rain

This area has fewer mountains. Therefore it is difficult to identify landmarks.

Towards Rambukkana area

Human activities on the top

After having some snacks there, we moved to a good view point where you can have 270 degree view. This second view point was directed towards the nearby peak called Morathenna (මොරතැන්න). The giant of Rambukkana-Alagalla was viewed and her top was under the cover of mist. One of our memorable hike-Ambokka (අම්බොක්ක) was seen far away with misty cover as usual. Though we tried to locate Bisogala (බිසෝගල) it was difficult as sky was gloomy.
Third view point was found on our way down and Athugala Buddha statue, Kurunegala town, Yakdessagala (යක්දෙස්සාගල) and Nathagane (නාථගනේ) were clearly seen from there.
It took around one and half hours to get down.