Highest point of Nuwaragala forest reserve-Ethbadda/ඇත්බැද්ද (=470m)

Nuwaragala (නුවරගල) has become a popular travel destination in these days. When I was searching for Nuwaragala in metric map another rock which is situated closer to Nuwaragala was detected. It was higher than Nuwaragala and mentioned as Ethabaddagala. So we have planned to hike Ethbadda first and if time permits to conquer Nuwaragala as well.
Nuwaragala has an archeological value as it is said King Saddathissa
(සද්ධාතිස්ස රජතුමා) has built fortress on top of Nuwaragala. While he was ruling southern region of country from Nuwaragala, Ethbadda was used as elephant kraal. (ඇත් ගාල)

Hills of Nuwaragala forest reserve in metric map. Ethbadda is marked by blue star and Nuwaragala is marked by red star. Click image to enlarge.

Let’s move to the trip:
Ashan has been at Nuwaragala six years ago and his Lakdasun trip was the guide for most of travelers to Nuwaragala. He wants to be at Ethbadda and I have invited him beforehand. Harinda also has been at Nuwaragala few months ago. He is also awaiting to visit at Ethbadda. Rest of the team were strangers to this dry zone forest reserve. We have noted few locally origin guides to accompany to Nuwaragala in Facebook. Sri Lal was the one I have contacted and he agreed to visit at Ethbadda with his native guide-Gune Bandiya Mama. (ගුණේ බන්ඩියා මාමා)
Four of us travelled from Colombo by bus and Ashan came to Maha Oya by his jeep with Chamara and Eshan. But we also have to get into his jeep as bus was broken at Padiyathalawa. Amila has arranged breakfast at nearby his friend’s place. After having breakfast we have headed to Pollebadda village which is situated at Rambakan Oya road.
Sri Lal, Gune Bandiya Mama, Wikum and Chamara were waiting at Rambakan Oya junction. Sri Lal has arranged everything for our comfortability.
It was quite a late start from Pollebadda around 9am but we were not much hurry as we are going to spend the night at forest. Gune Bandiya Mama was always walking in front of us to guide the team. It was just a walk through shrub areas passing few dry streams till we reached the base of Ethbadda. Though it was a flat terrain heat was the major problem faced in walking. Harinda has brought variety of juicy fruits to replenish the thirsty. Both Ethbadda and Nuwaragala rocks are surrounded by accessory mountains to make sure those to be hidden. This might a reason to build a castle on top of Nuwaragala by King Saddathissa. This area has been deforested for teak cultivation in 1970 but that project was unsuccessful. Currently you can see shrubs and Mana with scattered trees. Elephant dung was another common finding and we have encountered set of wild elephants on our way to Nuwaragala in second day.
After passing certain distance we have entered an open area where Nuwaragala and other nearby rocks were seen nicely. It was the ideal time to get another rest under a “Kone tree” (කෝන් ගහ) with tasting some Kone fruits. First time we have noticed one end of Ethbadda under this Kone tree. Rest of the foot pathway lies at the base

Pollebadda village. Paddies get water from Rambakan Oya reservoir.

Gune Bandiya Mama with Eshan and Nirosh

Team passing the buffer zone of Nuwaragala forest reserve

Gorikana (ගොරිකාන) is situated closer to the village.

Entering to Nuwaragala forest reserve.

Crossing a stream.

Road side cave.

It was hard to get a full forest coverage like this

We have come across Elephant dung with different ages

The path almost go through short Mana

Getting a break

Watermelon was ideal for the journey.

Watermelon was ideal for the journey.

Teak were the main large trees of the area

Wide open area with picturesque view of Nuwaragala

Foot pathway lies between these two rows of these rocks.

We spent a time under this Kone tree.

Mountains from right to left: Wilumbepitiya, Delibawa, Nilgala and Ethbadda

Pre shoot time

කෝන්

This row of rocks surround Ethbadda and Nuwaragala.

Gorikana

Rest under a Kone tree.

Nuwaragala rock

Foot pathway lies at base of Nuwaragala rock

Majestic appearance of Nuwaragala rock

Crossing a stream

Majestic appearance of Nuwaragala rock

A dry stream

Gune Bandiya Mama is searching for the path

A stream at base of Nuwaragala

Now we have noticed Ethbadda…

Ethbadda…main target of the day

Place for the lunch.

After having lunch at Galen Watichcha Oya (ගලෙන් වැටිච්ච ඔය) we started the proper hike to Ethbaddegala. Though Ethbadda is taller than Nuwaragala the hike is easier than Nuwaragala. Within about one and half hour we were able to reach the top of Ethbadda. There was a small cave situated beneath the top of the rock. It can accommodate about ten people.

Ethbadda is situated right in front of Nuwaragala

Gradual ascend to Ethbadda

Nuwaragala was seen on our way to Ethbadda

Guna Bandiya Mama is leading…

Rocky face of Ethbadda

Top of Nuwaragala

Kokagala

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Ethbadda

Walking in the afternoon at dry zone forest is really difficult. It needs frequent rests.

Names of nearby rocks

There was a clear foot path on side

The area we passed.

With help of Wadda….

Ethbadda cave

Ethbadda cave

The top of Ethbadda was like a flat land spreading many acres. When we walked to eastern edge mighty Walimba Hela / Friar’s Hood was seen. Number of hills belong to Namal Oya range and Gal Oya range were seen over eastern and southern direction. Rest of the mountains we could identify were Kokagala, Unukirigala, Omanugala, Kamburagala, Hikgala, Dimbulagala, Kuda Seegiriya, Henanigala etc.

On top of Ethbadda

Nuwaragala is the closest neighbor

We have walked on top of Ethbadda

Kokagala

Uneven flat area spreads over hundreds of acres

This might be the highest point of Ethbadda

Burned….

Ethbadda provides 360 degree view to surrounding

Unseen face of Walimba Hela / Friar’s Hood

.

Walimba Hela / Friar’s Hood

Namal Oya Hills

With Gune Bandiya Mama

Beautiful landscapes

Danigala consider as highest of Namal Oya hills

Walked all over there

Towards Walimbe Hela

Rest

Navakiri Aru Tank

Towards Namal Oya and Gal Oya hills

Achieved another dream

Surrounding view from Ethbadda

Heading to other end of Ethbadda

Towards Narakamulla area of Maduru Oya forest reserve. Hennanigala is marked by an arrow

Towards Maduru Oya and Dehiaththakandiya side

Omanugala

Maduru Oya reservoir and Kamburagala

Unukirigala with Rathkinda-Ulhitiya reservoir

This must be the highest point. We couldn’t find any archeological value there.

When we were at top of Ethbadda. Black line shows the path we followed.

While we were enjoying the beauty Gune Bandiya mama was searching for water at Ethbadda. He has found a stream somewhere below the top. This stream was well enough for camping. Therefore we have changed our mind to stay closer to the stream rather than going back to the cave. Night was calm and pleasant. Sri Lal has rewarded us with delicious meal. After a long time we had rice and curry for dinner. Gune Bandiya Mama had lot of stories to tell about his experience. It was an open camp site closer to the stream. We didn’t get any disturbance from wild elephants though we expected.

Water source

Around the fire

Day 02
Viewing the sun rise from Ethbadda was amazing. Chamara, Eshan and Myself have hiked to the eastern edge of the rock from our camp site to enjoy the sun rise. Sun has risen above eastern sea. It was one of the best sun rise and glorious morning I had.

Pre sun rise pics…Chamara and Eshan

Awaiting for sun rise…

Pre sun rise pictures

Pre sun rise pictures

Frias’ Hood / Walimba Hela

Pre sun rise pics

Awaiting for sun rise…

Eastern sea and sky…just before sun rise…

Simply wow…

Breathtaking

Silhouette

It’s me….

Sun rise over eastern sea

Sun rise over eastern sea

Sun rise over eastern sea

Sun rise over eastern sea

Colorful

Good morning Ethbadda

Good morning Ethbadda

Unlimited clicks…

Posed….

Morning hours are golden hours of photography

Hills

Hills

Golden rays…

Morning vibes…

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After enjoying amazing sun rise at Ethbadda we have rejoined the crew to taste breakfast. We are heading to start another tough day as hike to Nuwaragala was remained. On our way back to Nuwaragala, we were able to view some peaks of Knuckles mountain range.

Group photo with Gune Bandiya Mama.

This arrow shows Knuckles mountain range

Till we meet again

Thanks for reading