| Year and Month | 2019 April 07th |
| Number of Days | One |
| Crew | 04-Anupama,Keshan,Thiwanka and Myself |
| Accommodation | Summer hut at Rathnathenna estate |
| Transport | By Bus, Three wheeler and Hiking |
| Activities | Hiking, Photography and Sight seeing |
| Weather | Excellent but later it was misty |
| Route | Colombo->Kandy->Waththegama->Huluganga (හුලු ගග)->Alakola Estate (අලකොළ වත්ත)->Rathnathenna (රත්නතැන්න)->Gombaniya->Back in same route->Colombo |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Related Resources | Gombaniya the extreme hike (1906m) |
| Author | Niroshan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread
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Gombaniya range is considered as the highest peak of Knuckles massif. It’s height goes beyond 1900m. (1906m).Though I have been at different peaks at Knuckles Mountain Range, Gombaniya was in to-do list for a long time.
 Majestic view of Gombaniya range from Rathnathenna |
 Gombaniya from Knuckles- Kirigalpoththa |
 Gombaniya is pointed. This was taken on our way to Pathangala |
 Gombaniya range is from Kellabokka estate. |
Gombaniya range is situated at Alakola estate in Hulu Ganga. It is margined by Knuckles-Kirigalpoththa and Yakunge Hela (යක්කුන්ගේ හෙල) ranges in either side. Approach to Gombaniya is easy from Rathnathenna division in Alakola Estate. Gombaniya range has number of false peaks and well known false peak has large slab rock with beautiful view. Actual peak is situated about 500m away from this false peak.
I have coupled this hike with Yakunge Hela in a week end. My recent observation of weather in Knuckles range was perfect. So our initial plan was to hike Yakunge Hela in Day-1 and start Gombaniya Hike in same day. Then we planned to camp in half way of Gombaniya hike. Due to various reasons we were not able to implement our plans on time. As a result we have decide to camp at base of Gombaniya at Rathnathenna estate. There are two summer huts at Rathnathenna division. One situated at higher level which is fairly old and it’s roof has been is collapsed as well. Newest one is situated much lower level. We have decided to camp at newly established summer hut at Rathnathenna Division.
 Summer hut at Rathnathenna Division |
 We have camped here. |
 How Gombaniya is seen to camp site |
 Camp fire |
 Dinner |
 ගිනි තපිනවා |
This is a one day hike to the highest point of Gombaniya range and we have moved to other end of the range as well. Depend on our previous day experience (Yakunge Hela) we knew mist would come up by 12 noon of the day. Therefore we had to start as early as possible. The journey was started from Rathnathenna at 6.15 am. We kept our all unnecessary stuff at line house. The guy of line house mentioned there is a clear pathway on top of Gombaniya and he sent two people to show the pathway from tea estate. We have passed the playground of upper line house and stopped for early breakfast. As we thought we can find this clear pathway easily we have sent them to the line house.
After the breakfast we directly hiked through the forest to the ridge. Actually it is the only difficult part of the hike. (Though we thought we can find the foot pathway, we couldn’t). The back drop of the scenery was filled with Knuckles five peaks, Kandasamigala and Thawalanthenna side. After about 30-45min hike through the Bamboo forest we were able to reach the ridge of the range where other side was visible. Then only we came across so called “clear foot pathway”. We were able to identify Kellabokka range, Hathalae MWE and a part of Knuckles-Kirigalpoththa range.
 Get blessings from local Gods |
 Start the journey in early morning. These two came to show the starting point. |
 Last line houses at Rathnathenna. We got on to the ridge of Gombaniya behind this line house. |
 Members of the journey: Thiwanka, Anupama and Keshan |
 Basis of Gombaniya Hike. Once you get on to the ridge of the range, you have to pass number of false peaks to reach the most popular peak (Don’t know it is seen in this picture.) |
 Sun rise over Yakunge Hela |
 Morning view of Thawalanthenna: Knuckles Five Peaks and Kandasamy Gala |
 Zoomed view of Knuckles Five Peaks |
 Straightaway to the ridge |
 Enjoying the morning view…. |
 A break to pose… |
 Reaching the ridge of Gombaniya Range |
 Kellabokka range |
 Kellabokka range continued. The peak of Hunnasgiriya is covered with a cloud. |
 The drop of Hathalae MWE. |
 Now onwards a clear path was visible. |
Most of the time the foot path was easily identifiable. The ridge of Gombaniya is covered with Bamboo and Nelu bushes. Foot path goes through these forest area and we came across number of open areas as well. And there were multiple view points with slab rocks. It was a journey with ups and downs and from one view point to another till we reached the so called the “peak of Gombaniya”. It seems the range extends beyond this peak and rest of the range is higher than this popular peak.
This false peak provides 360 degree view towards Yakunge Hela, Kuda Oya, Walpolamulla side, Kirigalpoththa and Kellabokka side. Though others mentioned about extreme windy condition on top of false peak, we didn’t have such experience. Someone has camped few meters below this peak, might be due to windy condition. Mist was rising from the gap between Gombaniya and Yakunge Hela. Therefore we said good bye to the false peak and continued the journey along the ridge.
 Follow the clear foot pathway |
 Break… |
 Two dogs also joined with us… |
 Rathnathenna Line houses |
 Reaching a view point… |
 More to the false peak…. |
 It’s me… |
 Reaching another view point |
 Break… |
 Scenic view and the area we have passed |
 Keshan… |
 Enjoying… |
 It’s his style… |
 Might be the commonly visited peak |
 There are ups and downs in the path |
 Yakunge Hela is situated in front of Gombaniya |
 Morning dew… |
 Adaptation… |
 The ridge is covered with short bamboo bushes |
 View of Kellabokka side |
 Connection with Yakunehela. One can attempt Gombaniya from Yakunge Hela. But this area is covered with thickly grown Bamboo. |
 Yakunge Hela |
 Yakunge Hela extends |
 Alugal Lena Kanda, Knuckles five peaks and Kandasamigala |
 Most probably last view point before the peak |
 Towards Walpolamulla side. Kuda Oya flows here. Kalu Ganga reservoir is seen far away. It is difficult to identify second Line Mountains due to haziness. |
 . |
 Enjoying the view of drop… |
 Enjoying the view of drop… |
 Enjoying the view of drop… |
 Enjoying the view of drop… |
 Yakunge Hela and it’s drop |
 Sheer drop of Yakunge Hela |
 Anupama has reached the peak |
 Reaching the peak… |
 Kirigalpoththa side |
 False peak has a large slab rock. Hikers have mentioned their name on it. |
 On top of Gombaniya |
 Kuda Oya flows between Gombaniya and Yakunge Hela |
 Kuda Oya zoomed…. |
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The range extends. This picture tells true peak is something else… |
 Facing to Yakunge Hela |
 View from top of Gombaniya. Towards Kellabokka |
 On top of Gombaniya… |
 The slope of Yakunge Hela |
 Long rest after the hike…. |
 Mist is coming from the gap… |
 Mist is coming from the gap… |
 At the edge… |
Enjoy the video: View from false peak of Gombaniya: https://youtu.be/S5MkZ6sD5lU
The foot path continues along the ridge and after another 4/5 false peaks we have reached the exact highest point of Gombaniya / highest of Knuckles massif. It has very limited area and collection of round stones. This indicates many people have been here as well. Bushes of Rhododendrons sp. were more common on top of Gombaniya than Nelu and Bamboo. The foot path was less clear after the false peak. Soon we arrived the true peak surrounding was covered with the mist.
 Range continues |
 Range continues |
 Range continues |
 On top of true peak of Gombaniya |
 The path to true peak lies on a narrow ridge. Should be cautious in hiking… |
 Rhododendrons spp. |
 Rhododendrons spp. |
 On top of actual peak of Gombaniya |
 On top of actual peak of Gombaniya. Surrounding is covered with mist now. |
 It’s time to hail… |
 View from highest point. Towards Walpolamulla and Maningala |
 View from the highest point of Gombaniya |
 When we were at actual peak of Gombaniya. Someone has put the mark in Google map at wrong place as Gombaniya. |
 Height of actual peak is Gombaniya was measured as 1903m in this app. Note we have reached there even before 11am. |
Enjoy the video: View from true peak of Gombaniya https://youtu.be/qpT8KCzFc_0
We have walked further along the range and understood no other point higher than the actual peak and range connects with Knuckles-Kirigalpoththa. It was around 11.40 when we turned back from Gombaniya range and followed the correct foot path till we reached tea estate.
 We have walked further along the ridge… |
 Range continues towards Kirigalpoththa. The actual peak of Kirigalpoththa is covered with this peak. Pathangala is seen on right to Kirigalpoththa. |
 We have walked further away from actual peak. |
 Trio after successful hike…End of the day |
 Our path over Gombaniya Range. Note-we got on to the ridge of the range and followed the foot path up to the peak. |
 First few GPS points. Some of them mixed up. Only get the starting point of foot pathway. |
 Latter part of the range. |
Thanks for reading