Aliyawetunaela Kanda / අලියාවැටුනඇල කන්ද (1665m)

Aliyawetunaela Mountain is situated at Knuckles forest reserve with attitude of 1665m. It is situated in between Corbett’s gap and Thangappuwa (තoගප්පුව) and has dual peaks. Sphinx-1 and 2 are situated in east, north east and north sides of Aliyawetunaela Mountain. Corbett’s gap-Thangappuwa road lies in it’s southern direction and Thangappuwa-Knuckles foot pathway in western side of Aliyawetunaela Mountain. Google map reading shows there is no view point on top of Aliyawetunaela, but the way to these peaks is scenic and will come across nice view points. One of these peaks is situated closer to Thangappuwa-Knuckles foot pathway and other one is closer to Thangappuwa-Corbett’s gap road. We planned to visit at the peak closer to Knuckles foot pathway.

Where it is situated in Google map. It has two peaks. The height of red starred peak is shown in metric map. Other peak (shown in black arrow) is taller than red star peak.

Aliyawetunaela peaks in Google map. Black star shows the peak we have reached. Red star indicates the other peak which has height of 1665m marked at metric map. The peak we have reached might be taller than the other one. Red line shows our approximate path passing Aliyawetunaela peaks and towards Sphinx-2.

View of Aliyawetunaela from Sphinx-1 rock.

View of Aliyawetunaela from Corbett’s gap-Thangappuwa road

This hike happened on following day of visit to Sphinx-1. We have spent the night at Pusse Ela-Meemure and came back to Corbett’s gap early morning. Weather was superb for a hike and we got some drone pictures of Corbett’s. Sphinx-2, Alugal Lena Kanda, Lakegala, Wannimana, Wamarapugala, Balalgira and Koboneelagala were clearly visible from Corbett’s gap. Then we followed the gravel road to Thangappuwa from Corbett’s gap. Our plan is to hike the peak of Aliyawetunaela situated closer to Knuckles foot pathway as it is slightly higher than other peak and trekking to Sphinx-2 rock from Aliyawetunaela Mountain.

Good morning Corbett’s gap. It’s perfect weather or a hike.

Sphinx-2 / Kinihirigala-2

Knuckles five peaks and Alugal Lena Kanda

Lakegala (right) and Wamarapugala (left)

Morning view of Corbett’s gap. Balalgira and Loolewatta side

Towards Meemure, Karambaketiya, Lakegala and Wamarapugala

Alugal Lena Kanda

Bird’s eye view of Corbett’s gap. We three at Corbett’s gap.

The road to Thangappuwa from Corbett’s gap

The road to Thangappuwa from Corbett’s gap

The road to Thangappuwa from Corbett’s gap

Koboneelagala with it’s sharpen face towards Koboneela

How Aliyawetunaela peak is seen to Thangappuwa-Corbett’s gap road. We didn’t hike this peak.

We had some Roti for the breakfast at Thangappuwa. It was around 9am when we started from Thangappuwa and followed the well paved Knuckles foot pathway. Though it’s bit late start, surrounding was crystal clear without mist. Knuckles foot pathway winds through tea estate and enters the forest. It is a bit acute ascend till you reach the forest border. Then this foot pathway lies in fairly flat section. With aid of Google map we have entered the forest at this flat section. There was a “Dewalaya” closer to this place.

Start the journey from Thangappuwa

View of Aliyawetunaela Mountain to Thangappuwa-Knuckles peaks pathway

Koboneelagala with Thangappuwa village

Macro

View from Knuckles foot pathway

A break

Busy Thangappuwa

There was somewhat clear foot pathway at our entrance to the forest and we followed it certain distance. Then we decided to deviate from the path and hike towards the peak we targeted. This forest with full of Nelu bushes and shaded by large trees. After a minor hike we have ended up at the base of proper Aliyawetunaela peak where a nice plain is situated. This open area seems as a camp site functioned before, it’s evidenced by cemented floor and water tank. Gombaniya and Yakunehela were visible from this plain and we were right at the base of Aliyawetunaela mountain. As this place was a nice place we spent time to enjoy the view here. It is a good camp site as a water stream flows closer to it.

Entering to the forest

View of proper Aliyawetunaela peak

Towards the proper peak of Aliyawetunaela

Camp site situated at base

Cemented floor at base camp

It is a nice place for camping

Towards Aliyawetunaela Mountain

Surrounding view

Yakunehela and Gombaniya

We are at base of Aliyawetunaela Mountain

Proper hike to the highest peak of Aliyawetunaela started from it’s base camp. We entered the forest back and hiked closer to a water stream. It was a continuous ascend under the forest cover with Nelu and Bamboo bushes. Soon we entered an open area with view towards Thangappuwa and Poddalgoda (පොද්දල්ගොඩ). After another 10/15 minutes hike we have reached the ridge of the peak where highest point is situated. Then it was like a walking along the ridge and at the end we have reached the highest point of this peak. This place is under the cover of forest and no view from here. There was a nice flat area situated just next to the highest point where camping is possible. We have spent about three hours to reach the peak of Aliyawetunaela from Thangappuwa.

Back to forest. It is a continuous ascend now.

Refilled water bottles. We didn’t come across any water source after this. And we have deviated from water stream following this.

Tiny waterfall we came across

Tiny waterfall we came across

Forest with Nelu. It plays main role of undergrowth.

Roof of the forest

Filtering of sunrays

Posed

Middle open area I described. This comes after hike of certain distance.

View towards Thangappuwa and Poddalgoda

Reached the ridge of the peak. Always we tried to avoid Bamboo areas. Here onwards it’s like walking along the ridge up to the highest point.

Reaching the highest point of Aliyawetunaela peak. It’s has no surrounding view.

On top of Aliyawetunaela peak.

Forest cover on top of Aliyawetunaela Peak

Forest cover on top of Aliyawetunaela Peak

Flat area situated just next to the peak

Our next target was to walk from Aliyawetunaela to Sphinx-2. We have walked towards other peak of Aliyawetunaela according to Google map. On our way another open area was found, where Knuckles five peaks were visible above bushes. This plain is also a good place for camping but water source is situated somewhat far. We didn’t go to other peak of Aliyawetunaela and turned towards Sphinx-2. (Journey to Sphinx-2 is a different story, I will come in a separate report).

Through the forest

Through the forest

Mountainous forest

Having a break

It was amazing to walk through Nelu bushes

Reaching the plain between two peaks. This the peak of Aliyawetunaela we have reached. Poddalgoda is seen behind it.

It was a nice open area.

Selfie time

Knuckles five peaks

Nice bushes with small leaves.

Thick leaves, adaptation for wind and cold

Go through the approximate path we followed. Black star is the peak we have reached and we didn’t go to the peak shown in red star.

We have returned to base camp of Aliyawetunaela in dusk. The sky with sun set was beautiful from this open area. It was around 6.30pm when we reached Thangappuwa to wind up the journey to Aliyawetunaela Mountain.

Sky view of the camp site through the mist

Sky view of the camp site through the mist

Aliyawetunaela base camp at dusk

Aliyawetunaela base camp at dusk

Sun set

Sun set

Enjoying the sun set.

Enjoying the evening view.

It was another good achievement.

Thanks for reading