Rahangala /රහන්ගල (1960m & 1680m)

Rahangala is a rock situated at the end of a mountain range extending from Hortain plains towards Boralanda (බොරලන්ද). It has an acute drop with attractive view at Boralanda side. I never knew about this mountain range till I came across in the map. Further map reading revealed it as a range extending from Hortain Plains and ends with acute drop at village called Rahangala closer to Boralanda. So my plan was to reach this end rock of the range called Rahangala by locals. And if time permits, hike to the highest point of the range which is situated on the other end.

Rahangala range. (This black line shows it). Actual Rahangala is the rock (1680m) with acute drop at right end. Highest point of Rahangala (1960m) is situated at the other end.

Rahangala range in metric map. Black star (1960m) shows the highest point of the range and red star shows Rahangala (1680m). Click image to enlarge.

The name Rahangala was made from Rahathgala. (රහත්ගල ->රහන්ගල).  According to villagers Lord Buddha has first come to keep the sacred foot print on top of Rahangala. As villagers were using dogs to plough, Lord Buddha has changed his mind.

How Rahangala is seen to Ohiya-Boralanda road. This is the rock locals called as Rahangala. But it run as a range.

We have reached chilling Ohiya station by night mail before the dawn. I was informed the bus leaves Ohiya around 5.50am to Welimada. (This bus parks in front of Ohiya station) As none of the food stalls hasn’t opened at Ohiya and this bus also travels closer to Rahangala, We decided to reach Boralanda and having the Breakfast.
After having early breakfast from Boralanda we started to walk up along the road to find a place to hike Rahangala. Rahangala was facing to Boralanda in majestic way. It was a clear morning and we had a nice view towards rest of Uva province. Ohiya is at the border of Uva and Central provinces at higher level. Therefore when you travel from Boralanda to Ohiya, you can have a nice view towards rest of Uva province before Rahangala range starts.

Good morning to Uva…

Scenic Ohiya-Boralanda road

Filtering morning sun rays

ගදපාන

Enjoying the morning view

Towers at Dambethenna

View towards Keppettipola

Namunukula is covered with mist

What a view…

View from the road

The drop

Where flag tree is placed on top of Rahangala

After inquire by villagers they have guided us to a starting point to hike Rahangala. There was an aboundued quarry in right side of the road after passing the water tank established at base of the mountain. (Ohiya-Boralanda road). We got upward turn towards Rahangala from there. It was a straightforward and continuous hike since beginning up to the peak of Rahangala. Though Rahangala has sharpen face to Boralanda side, there is a gradual slope covered with Eucalyptus trees at Ohiya-Boralanda road side. So it was the hike under Eucalyptus forest. As someone has hiked it recently there was a clear foot pathway up to the top. Later this foot pathway reached the edge of Rahangala where we had repeated view of surrounding places. I was able to identify Namunukula, Ragala range, Narangala, Beragala, Idalgashinna proper and popular peaks, Boralanda town etc.

It was a two man journey. Chathura is here.

Hike under Eucalyptus forest.

Unlimited mountains of Uva up to Namunukula

Zoomed view of Namunukula

Paddies in between

Tea estate

After the Eucalyptus range we entered an open area with short bushes. There was a nice rock protruding from Rahangala to the drop. It was like a seat to enjoy the view. With another 10-15 minutes hike we have reached the top of Rahangala where flag point is situated. It was like a small plain covered with bushes. Someone has cut the branches of a tree situated at the edge of the rock and has made it as a flag tree. We tried to get a good view by climbing this tree. Later I got to know there was a pond on top of Rahangala. We didn’t try to move further up as it is not the highest point of the range. (We have another plan to reach the highest point of the range).

Eucalyptus part is over.

Chathura is at Rahangala seat

Back to the same scene

Beragala with it’s square shape

Zoomed view of the road

Paddies with “Helmalu” pattern

View of Beragala and Idalgashinna peaks. Haputhale is situated left to Beragala.

Landscape

Vegetable plots

Zoomed view of Namunukula

Unknown…

Towards Dambethenna-Towers

Boralanda-Ohiya road and branching gravel road

It’s my turn…

View from the edge of Rahangala. Kokagala is also seen here.

Towards Alawathugoda area. Ragala range ends here.

Zoomed view of Narangala. Most distance range appeared through clouds might be Madolsima range.

The road we travelled and the area we passed.

Last ascend to the top

Reaching the flag point of Rahangala

Boralanda town

Ceylon Foliage (Pvt ltd) at Wangiyakumbura.

View from top of Rahangala. Kokagala is also seen.

View from top of Rahangala towards Ella and Namunukula

On top of Rahangala

Getting a better view

Further along the range. We didn’t try to reach this point.

Bird’s eye view

Our trail head at Ohiya road. We are on top of Rahangala

We took only 30 minutes to return to the trail head at Ohiya road. Our next target was to reach the highest point of Rahangala range. Actually it is situated at other end the range. Therefore I have selected the rail trek as the starting point as it is situated closer to this highest point.
We walked to Ohiya along the road (We got a lift for last few kilometers) and refreshed with snacks. Due to recent trends there is a strict policy to not to allow rail walk from Ohiya. But somehow we managed to get on to the rail trek and walk towards Pattipola. Just before 20th tunnel we entered to the forest. Again the hike through Eucalyptus forest with under growth of bushes. There was no foot pathway and under the guidance of Google map we were able to reach the highest point of Rahangala range with approximate height 1960m. Actually it has no view and completely covered with forest.

Highest point of Rahangala range (1960m) and the common view point of Rahangala. (1680m)-Black arrow. Our approximate route is shown by black line.

Along the railway line

Along the railway line

Eucalyptus

This is the place we got into the forest-20th tunnel.

Through the forest

Through the forest

Reaching the highest point of Rahangala-Fully covered with forest

The map and our previous observations showed a nice view point with grassy land just 100/200m away from the highest point. We have noted someone has attached a flag at this open area. It was a sloping plain from Rahangala range. This plain was covered with grass and flowery bushes. The place is a good observation point as well as a camp site if provided water. We have noted Boralanda and Ohiya towns, rest of Rahangala range, Idalgashinna peaks, Beragala, Meeriyathenna and Udaweriya peaks.

Coming to the open area with grasses.

It is a slope towards Ohiya.

Grassy land

Maha Rathmal

Different colours

Nice place for camping as well except water source

Nice small plain…

Meeriyathenna and Udaweriya peaks are getting covered.

Rahangala range

Boralanda area

View of Beragala

Meeriyathenna and Udaweriya peaks are covered with clouds

Ohiya is zoomed

Ohiya-Beragala road

Train is passing Ohiya

Enjoying the view

Plain with the slope

At grassy plain

Locals said it is easy to come to this place from Ohiya-Boralanda road rather than following the rail trek. Once we came to the place, we identified it is the easiest route than our rail hike. Therefore we followed this sloping plain downwards till we come across Eucalyptus forest. After crossing this forest gap we have ended up at a gravel road which is marked at Google map.

Getting down along the plain.

How this area spreads over the mountain Coming out of the forest

How this area spreads over the mountain Coming out of the forest

These are the two places we visited.

Zoomed view of highest point of Rahangala and grassy area.

It was around 2.30pm when we returned to Ohiya road but cloud cover was not good for another hike. We had a dip near Ohiya and returned to Boralanda to get our lunch and bus to Haputhale. It was a good day.

Thanks for reading