A long waited hike-Kiribathgala (950m)

Kiribathgala is a mountain range is well seen to Colombo-Badulla road at Pelmadulla area. I was looking at this mountain all the time when I passed Pelmadulla (පැල්මඩුල්ල). It stands like a giant (most probably as it was closer to the road) in my right hand side. Most of the time it has a misty cap which discourage me to conquer it. But how can we miss such a majestic mountain. Therefore I was searching about Kiribathgala.
When you search about Kiribathgala, Malith’s report is coming to the top. It was in his conquered list. As he was working there, was an expert about Kiribathgala routes. Though I planned to visit there several times over years, it was postponed due to bad weather etc. Meanwhile I met Keshan who had similar idea to conquer Kiribathgala. Keshan also has gathered some information about Kiribathgala.
According to Malith’s description there are three routes to hike Kiribathgala:

1. Pelamdulla (Lellopitiya) ->Pathakada (පාතකඩ) ->Pulun Ella (පුළුන් ඇල්ල) ->Kiribathgala: I have discussed with a friend who had conquered kiribathgala from this site. According to him it was a strenuous hike and actually needs two days to explore the range.

2. Rathnapura->Wanniyawatta (වන්නියාවත්ත)->Kiribathgala: This is what Malith has followed. His report describes how difficult it is.

Always Google map comes to help us. If you read it carefully you can climb most of the mountains in Sri Lanka. It showed me climb from Erabedda side is easier than other side because there are tea estates closer to the top of the mountain. But slope is more.

How Kiribathgala stands in metric map. Note it is a long range with multiple peaks. Click image to enlarge.

How it is seen in goggle map. Note our starting at Uda Erabedda. It has multiple peaks. The arrow shows the highest point mentioned at metric map.

We have reached Rathnapura town around 6.30 am and after the breakfast we searched for Uda Erabedda bus. Luckily the conductor and driver of Uda Erabedda bus also have been at Kiribathgala. They guided us to go from temple side. (There is another route from Uda Erabedda as well). We got down in front Uda Erabedda temple and surrounding was covered with mist. We couldn’t even see Kiribathgala Mountain.
I should appreciate the chief priest and the uncle met at temple. They were very supportive and describe the path to the peak.
First we had to pass few tea patches and there was a clear foot path through tea estates. This confirmed my observation about the route is correct. After the last tea patch we have entered into the forest where we didn’t have a clear pathway. We were asked to follow a dry stream which origins from top of the mountain. There were few water sources at this dry stream and it was a continuous hike with slope till we reach the peak of Kiribathgala.

We got down in front of the temple

Clear foot path behind the temple

Chathura is the new member for this trip.

There were minor rock climbing parts

Intermittent tea patches were common finding at beginning of the journey

Having a rest

Along the dry stream

Along the dry stream

Along the dry stream

Collecting some water

Last part of the stream had Kakilla bushes. This was the most troublesome plant we came across at Kiribathgala.

On top of Kiribathgala

On top of Kiribathgala

On top of Kiribathgala

On top of Kiribathgala

A long break after a continuous hike…

Top of Kiribathgala extends for 2-3km. It also has ups and downs. Map shows multiple peaks here. We didn’t have an intention to visit the peaks on left side with forest coverage, probably it has no good view. We moved right passing a forest patch and then entered fairly flat section with full of Kakilla (කැකිල්ල). Here you can have a view above bushes. Kakilla bushes have grown about 2 feet above the ground. After about 1km walk we have reached the slab rock where flag is placed. We have noticed “Kiri Bath “-කිරිබත් like markings on top of this slab rock. It is a good place for camping.

Note now we have reached the peak. This area extend for 2-3km.

Through the forest patch….

Through the forest patch….

A jump

The area full of Kakilla

View over Kakilla bushes

Most troublesome plant at Kiribathgala-Kakilla

View above Kakilla bushes

This is the peak with forest cover. We didn’t go to that side.

Surrounding view

Through Kakilla bushes

Thickly grown Kakilla Bushes

Slab rock with the flag

කිරිබත්

Flag at Kiribathgala

At flag point of Kiribathgala

At flag point of Kiribathgala

Tea estate at Kiribathgala village

View from Flag point

Hardest part of the journey started after flag point. The peak with nice view point was seen about 750m beyond from the flag point. But whole area was covered with Kakilla bushes. It is thickly grown up to 2/3 feets. In addition there were throny bushes and bamboo as well. The front man has to put extra effort when go through Kakilla bushes. First time I have noticed a dust coming out of Kakilla leaves causing sneezing when exposed. It took about1-1.5 hours to pass this area with great difficulties. I never thought Kakilla bushes are troublesome like this. Later we knew group of youngsters has made a fire at this area few years ago. They were brought into custody for this. Later Kakilla has grown over this burnt area. At the end we reached another forest patch and the rock with good view was standing in front of us. This was another tricky point. There was only one place to get onto this rock, but it was also slippery. Once we got on to the rock, we were stucked within bamboo bushes for next 10-20minutes. It was a great relief after coming out of Bamboo forest where we had final small rock with short Mana providing 360 degree view. We forgot the pain we had during the journey once we reached there. I didn’t take any photo of this hard section.

The peak with good view

This is the most difficult part through Kakilla bushes.

Final rock ascend

At one of a highest point of Kiribathgala

At one of a highest point of Kiribathgala

Slab rock on top of Kiribathgala

Peak(s) with forest cap.

We have spent four and half hours to reach this peak of Kiribathgala from trail head. This peak has 360 degree view with flat slab rock. There is a large slab rock with angle as well. The highest point according to metric map was seen about 500m away from this peak, but we didn’t try it assumed it has no good view point. Actually if someone look at the range from Pelamdulla side, he wouldn’t see any of these peaks as it is covered by the peaks at Pelamdulla side. So basically Kiribathgala has multiple view points and seems it need about 2days to cover all these peaks.
Mountain ranges we have identified includes: Rakwana range, Mountains at Nivithigala area, Thoranakotha and Ayagama side. Wanniyawatta and Kiribathgala villages are situated at base of the mountain. Rathnapura area and most probably Sri Pada range were also seen but I couldn’t identify sacred peak due to mist. Pelamdulla town is covered with the peak situated on that side.

Another peak. Must be the highest point according to metric map.

We didn’t try for this peak seems it has no good view point.

Surrounding view-Towards Nivithigala and Rakwana side

Zoomed view-Most probably mountains of Rakwana range

Towards Ayagama-Thoranakotha and surrounding mountains

Surrounding view-Don’t know which area is

The area we have passed. And behind is Rathnapura side…

Towards Rathnapura side

Way Ganga

Tea estate at Kiribathgala area

Zoomed view of highest point of Kiribathgala

Towards Pelmadulla. Pelmadulla area is completely covered with this peak.

The peak seen as Kiribathgala in Pelamdulla side

The peak seen as Kiribathgala in Pelamdulla side.

On top of Kiribathgala

On top of Kiribathgala

On top of Kiribathgala

On top of Kiribathgala

On top of Kiribathgala

On top of Kiribathgala

Showing the peak with maximum height

On top of Kiribathgala

Rathnapura-Nivithigala road

Wanniyawatta area

Kiribathgala area

A temple and paddies at Wanniyawatta area

This is the slab rock with angle….

Scribbles

This is the peak we have reached.

Return journey was happened in three and half hour’s time. We didn’t try a new route to return as we were exhausted. The chief priest of temple was so kind enough to give us a chance to have a bath at temple. According to them there is less strenuous route along a water stream to the peak .It will avoid Kakilla area. Most probably this stream should be in between the peak we were and peaks at Pelamdulla side. Then I can remember a foot path deviates down from the place we had a long break just after got on the peak along dry stream.

Return journey

Giant

Kiribathgala is seen to Uda Erabadda

Kiribathgala is seen to Uda Erabadda

Thanks for reading