| Year and Month | July, 2017 |
| Number of Days | One |
| Crew | 2 ( Chamara & myself) |
| Accommodation | N/A |
| Transport | Pajero |
| Activities | Trekking, Photography |
| Weather | Sunny and clear sky |
| Route | Chilaw -> Kurunegala –> Galewela -> Meewalapataha -> Pannanpitiya -> Nayakumbura -> Returned back on the same route |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Author | Ashan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
The map – click to enlarge
It has been a long pause from my last report but finally I found some time to do this write-up. Since lately I have found a special interest in Dambulla area and there was a long range which was at the eastern boarder of Dambulla which caught my sight when I did a hike to Arangala. The lowest part of this multiple peak range is known as Gedaragala pathana(759m) and the summit is known as Wehigala pathana/ Kumaragala kanda (890m).
 Kumaragala range as seen from arangala |
 today’s target |
 summit is called Wahigala pathana |
When we reached Nayakumbura village it was already 10am and we found a house close to the “Kalu wala” those friendly villagers couldn’t find us a local guide so we had to proceed with the aid of satellite imaging despite been a risky hike. We decided to climb along a stream which had clear water. When there were mini cascades which were difficult to pass we took the forest path. At one point we reached a junction where we took the left turn which took us close to the summit. The last bit of the journey was through a beautiful short savannah like area which provided some magical views.
 නෝකෝල් |
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 Gal wala the starting point |
 Fresh dumplings everywhere |
 rituals |
 following the stream |
 lot of bathing places |
 where the stream divided (we took the left branch) |
 . |
 out of many resting points |
 steeper by the second |
 in to the savannah |
 scenery as we came out |
 ambokka seen at the backdrop just behind arangala |
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 the 5Km long range |
 wow |
 towards Menikdena giant |
 more to climb |
 Karagahatenna, Opalgala and reverston peaks seen |
 the summit is seen |
The summit provides a 270 degree view and you get a bird’s eye view of Moragahakanda and Dambulla areas. Some prominent landmarks which we saw were Dambulla rock, Beliya kanda, Menikdena, Arangala, Iginimitiya, Knuckles range peaks, Moragahakanda, Kandalama, Erawugala, Yakkurugala, Ibbankatuwa etc.
 summit point |
 the gedaragalapathana range |
 ah he was curious |
 summit |
 . |
 galkoth kanda and erawuwagala |
 kandalama tank |
 yakkurugala range |
 Dambulla rock |
 kala wewa and balalu wewa seen behind ibbankatuwa |
pano
 Ibbankatuwa lake and satutu dupatha |
 ritigala the giant |
 Beliyakanda the landmark of galewela |
 Menikdena |
 summit |
 looking down |
 the savannah |
 . |
 . |
 Moragahakanda dam |
 moragahakanda reservoir |
 . |
 top of the world |
 . |
Getting down was much quicker but was a painful task for our legs and chances of tripling were high. On the way close to the village there was an elephant near the stream and we had to keep our distance from it. After reaching the village we had a bath from a water storage tank and left towards our homes.
 Arangala, marathulawa, rilagala, menikdena & lenadora peaks |
 while getting down |
 . |
 lovely |
 more to go |
 looking back at the summit |
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 Arangala , Marutuluwa , Rilagala |
 Menikdena |
 Ibbankatuwa |
 . |
 along the stream |
 “Dandi” |
 day to day life |