| Year and Month | March, 2018 |
| Number of Days | One |
| Crew | 8 (between 21-29 years of age) |
| Accommodation | N/A |
| Transport | Bus (From Colombo Fort to Haputale) , Walking ( Haputale to Ohiya) , Train ( From Ohiya to Colombo Fort) |
| Activities | Hiking, Sightseeing and Photography |
| Weather | Sunny. Found Fog at some Places during the Mountain Hike |
| Route | Colombo Fort -> Haputale -> Glenanore(Railway Station) -> Adisham Bunglow -> Thangamale Sanctuary -> Idalgashinna (Railway Station) -> Ohiya (Railway Station) -> Colombo Fort |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Related Resources | Trip reports on Thangamale Sanctuary |
| Author | KNadeeshana |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
6 of us (Kavindu, Lahiru, Sanjana, Sharada, Tharindu & Janith Sir) came to Colombo Fort from the University and other 2 friends (Kalana and Bhanuka) Joined with us at the Pettah Bus Stand. We left from Colombo fort in a Colombo – Badulla (99 route) bus.
We got down from Haputale and had Breakfast. We took Short – Eats packed and some soft drink bottles as Lunch to be taken during the hike. It was around 11.20am when we started the hike from Haputale Railway Station
 Our Crew At Haputale |
 Railway Station Haputale |
First Important thing about this Rail Hike is, Railway Stations do not take responsibility of us. We should travel at our own risk.
 The Path we took Upto Idalgashinna Railway station. (after that it was all along the rail track) |
When we came near the Glenanore Halt (see our route marked in the Image) we found a worker in the rail line who said us that it is illegal to walk in the railway lines and the station Master would not allow us to pass by the station along the railway line. As we started with the Utter determination of completing this task, we referred the google map with the mobile (network coverage was ok at this place) and found that Adisham Bungalow(Monastery) is situated Nearby.
 GLENANORE Halt (turned left to the road to go to Adisham) |
With the main intention of finding a way back to railway line skipping the Glenanore Halt we walked left from Glenanore halt along the Tar road about 5 minutes and then turned left at a board which Said “Towards Adisham”. Though it was unplanned, the walk through Thangamale Sanctuary to Adisham Bungalow was full of photographic locations for our friend Bhanuka, the cameraman.
 Towards Adisham through thangamale sanctuary |
 Turned from Main road to Adisham |
Unfortunately the Bunglow was closed (as it was Good Friday). We got to know that foot path left to the gate of Adisham can fulfill our ambition of getting back to railway track by a villager. The path says “Do not enter! Belong to state Timber Corporation” but the Villager said it is ok to travel. The footpath was there during the whole mountain hike. (Later we got to know that the path was arranged for Horse Driven Carts during the colonial era). A negligible number of Leeches were found in this Thangamale Sanctuary ( not any near railway tracks ).
 Closed Adishan Bungalow (It was Good Friday) |
 Foggy Mountains of Thangamale Sanctuary |
 Through the Woods |
 Inside Thangamale Sanctuary… |
We got back to rail track before about 500m to Idalgashinna Station and walked towards the station along the track. We had out snacks at the Station and started the restof the journey at about 4.00pm from there. (Advisable to walk in an average speed from haputale to idalgashinna part as you will miss the beauty from idalgashinna to ohiya if it gets darker. Some How We Managed our walking pace for the next part)
We found 14 tunnels( Tunnel No.22-35) from idalhashinna to ohiya railway station (found one from haputale to glenanore) where the longest tunnel marked 615 ft which you can’t see through the other side opening. You should be lucky enough to get through without getting bat pee on your head.
 Idalgashinna Railway Station |
 Our Crew at the Mouth of a tunnel |
We met 6 Trains up and Down during the rail hike.
- Podi Menike
- Kandy-Ella ( Reserved Train for Trips in Weekends and Holidays)
- Special Train ( Type M5)
- Udarata Menike
- Colombo-Badulla (Train No. 1002 )
- Kandy- Badulla mixed
Always beware of the scheduled times of the trains for safety.
 Podi Menike (Going towards Badulla) |
 Udarata Menike (Going towards Badulla) |
 Specially Reserved Train for Trips ( Type M5 ) |
 Colombo – Badulla Train ( No. 1002) ( Going towards Ohiya ) |
 Along the track … |
 Warning Signs |
We had heard from friends of us who had gone on this track before, that the people at Ohiya railway were not friendly and they had even tried to fine our friends for walking on the railway tracks. Therefore we wanted to get off the railway track before the Ohiya railway station. (Better if you are referring to google maps. NB: Mobile coverage was not sufficient to load the maps, so we could not get off the track before the station. Advisable to download the offline map of the area before the hike)
It was around 6.45pm and a bit darker when we came near Ohiya railway station (we walked a bit faster as we were late from Idalgashinna itself. Normal pace would take more than 3 hours). Strategically we went passing the station division bungalow which is before the railway station, 2 by 2 leaving gaps just like villagers so that they don’t identify us as rail hikers. However last 4 were caught and advised not to come again. (Small groups are advised to go in this hike)
 “Unknown Grave” near Ohiya |
 Our Crew – at the final stage of the hike |
There were 3 small shops near the station. We had Hot Roti with Lunumiris + Prima Kottu Mee as dinner and left ohiya in the Nightmail which arrived there at 9.10pm. It was around 6 am when we finished out journey at Colombo fort.
Thank you for reading.