Karanampotha Mountain/කරණම්පොත කන්ද (639m)

Karanampotha Mountain (639m) is an isolated peak situated between Melsiripura and Galewela areas, facing Kurunegala-Dambulla road.
This mountain is closely related with the mountain where famous Na Uyana Aranya (නා උයන ආරණ‍ය) is situated. Karanampotha was noted for me for a long time while I was travelling to Polonnaruwa from Colombo during last six years. Initially I thought it is the other face of Na Uyana Mountain but when we were hiking, we understood those are two separate peaks but situated close to each other. Eshan was the other person who was eager to hike this unpopular destination. Map reviewed told we can walk up to certain extent of the mountain along the road. And it is situated along the border of Central province and North Central Province.

Where it is situated in 1:50000 map. Province margin runs along the range but pushing Karanampotha to North Central province. Black star indicates the peak.

Karanampotha Mountain. This photo was taken at Dewahuwa Lake.

Karanampotha Mountain and Na Uyana Kanda

It was the last hike of the year-2017. After successful journey to Beliya Kanda in morning hours, we moved towards Melsiripura. We got a turn to Moragolla-Dambagahamula road and turned to left hand side by road after drive few Kms. This road directed us to a house situated at base of the mountain. House owner was kind enough to show the foot path to Karanampotha. (Luckily the foot path starts behind their house).

Sometimes Google map misleads us and this is one instance. It showed further clear road to some extent of the mountain, actually it is not there. We started the hike around 2.30pm with afternoon heat. All the way it was an ascend and soon we entered a Mana patch which has grown till my knee. Dry Mana bushes are a good source for wild fire during dry season. Therefore villagers clear some section of Mana to prevent wild fire. These sections are called as “Gini Wata”-ගිනි වැට by villagers. We were instructed to follow “Gini Wata”. After falling rain, Mana grows back but the faded margin of “Gini Wata” will remains. But this Gini Wata always lie with the slope made us a slippery journey.
Karanampotha is a fair mountain to provide a good view towards surrounding structures in half way of the journey. We were able to enjoy the view of Beliya Kanda, Galewela and Dambulla sides. At the end of Gini Wata we faced a real challenge of untouched Mana bushes grown above my height. We kept Eshan as the front liner to make the path through Mana bushes. It was a nice combination of light green of Mana leaves and bluish appearance of clear sky.

Just started the hike. We were warmed up following successful hike to Beliya Kanda at morning hours.

This is the concept of Gini Wata. Here Mana bushes have grown along Gini Wata. We followed the margin of it.

Team except me

Gonmottawa Kanda..Seen for second time for the day.

View towards Galewela and Dambulla side.

Peak of Karanampotha is seen.

Triangular shape target of the day-Beliya Kanda

View of Karanampotha at the end of Gini Wata.

Walking through Mana….

Walking through Mana….

Karanampotha Mountain (639m)

Galewela town

Galewela town-Yakkuragala is standing at left corner

නිදිකුම්බා

There was a section of Nidikumba which was another obstacle

Green-Black-Blue combination

Some more to go….

All the way through Mana…

All the way through Mana…

All the way through Mana…

Close relation with Na Uyana Mountain. Na Uyana Buddhist monastery is situated at left slope of the mountain.

Nearby small peaks

We made a path through Mana…

View towards Melsiripura…Dolukanda is faintly seen just above horizon in left corner.

It is not possible to get on to the top along this end.

On the way up…

When we looked back…

Dewahuwa Lake

Central- The awkward mountain is Diyabettekanda which I noted in my rail walk from Maho to Habarana.

There were only few places to get on to the top. We were able to reach the top after tackling Mana. There was a forest cap on top of Karanampotha Mountain. It was a great relief to have a shade following the hike under direct sunlight. Though I expected to have a clear view towards Dambulla-Kurunegala road, the forest was obstructing the view. There was a view point you can have a narrow angle view towards Matale hills. That view point can be reached through the forest. The highest point of Karanampotha mountain is a narrow place where 3 or 4 people can stand comfortably. It faces towards northern side and provides 270 degree view.

Reaching the rocky part of the mountain

It had a narrow place to get on to the top

This is shown a large part of the mountain is covered with Mana.

Zoomed view of top of Na Uyana Kanda.

Omaragolla hills (ඕමාරගොල්ල කදු) are seen in front line. Dolukanda is seen at farthest line.

Excavation by treasure hunters

Get on to the highest point of the mountain.

Enjoying the surrounding view

Na Uyana mountain and the mana patch we passed.

Can you notice the foot path created along Mana patch?

Omaragolla hills and more mountains in Kurunegala district

Dolukanda, Omaragolla hills and peaks at Ibbagamuwa

We are on top of Karanampotha Mountain

It’s me…

View from second view point

Looking towards Matale hills

Arangala rock

Ambokka is seen. Etipola is seen behind Ambokka.

Ambokka (front) and Etipola (behind)

Kurunegala-Dambulla road

Unlimited mountains

After enjoying the beauty of surrounding we walked down. Return journey was not that much difficult due to already made foot pathway through Mana bushes. It was remarkable finish for a great travelling year.

Coming back…

Last capture of the day as well as year

This is our workout.

Thanks for reading