Knuckles Selva Kanda (1618m) Hike

Selva Kanda (සෙල්වා කන්ද) and Rilagala (රිලාගල) are two peaks marked in metric map of Knuckles forest reserve. After studying Google map and metric maps we were able to find two peaks of Selva Kanda and one peak as Rilagala. These two mountains situated in between Knuckles five peaks and Kalupahana area. And Selva Kanda is marked in the cemented map shown at Malgudi junction / Lebanon junction.

Selva Kanda and Rilagala in metric map, Click image to enlarge.

Peaks in Google map. We have hiked the peak marked in red star.

This board can be seen at the side of the road at Malgudi junction. It has marked Selva Kanda.

Kavinda and myself want to hike these two mountains for a long time. We have planned to do it as one day trip but due to time fact we were able to reach one peak of Selva Kanda (the peak marked at metric map). Other peak of Selva Kanda and Rilagala were put to To-do list.
We started journey from Kandy. Previous day we hiked Kumaragala / Wahigala Pathana / Walgama Wewa Kanda around Dambulla. It was a change from dry zone to wet zone. Our plan was to follow the path towards KMP till Hulang Kanda (හුලo කන්ද) and get right turn to Selva Kanda. But hike was not simple as we seen in the map. Leeches, throny bushes and bamboo were main obstacles.

Break at Rathnagiriya. We have a doubt rainy weather, but it didn’t rain.

Towards Selva Kanda and Rilagala side. But these are not peaks. They are beyond this line of mountains.

Towards Selva Kanda.

Entering to True Knuckles forest.

If I describe the path from Hulang Kanda, first we had a walk through the forest and came out to an open area. We were able to observe the path we had to follow from this small treeless place. Then we descend to the stream which makes “Gona Giya Ella” (ගෝනා ගිය ඇල්ල). Though we have reached the top of the fall we didn’t interest to reach the base as it was out of the route. Path was full of Bamboo after the stream. Here we have done a silly thing assuming the hike along the angle of the mountain is easier than top. (This is not Selva Kanda, mountain next to stream). After fighting with Bamboo we were able to come out. Here I was able to view Gombaniya, Yakkunge Hela and valley of Gona Giya Falls.

This is the open area I have described.

View towards Selva Kanda.

Crossing the stream which makes Gona Giya Ella.

On top of Gona Giya Falls. Rathnagiriya peak is at center.

It was like infinity pool.

Back to the route.

Coming out of Bamboo. Lakmal was always in front line to clear the path.

The area we crossed. The drop of Gona Giya Ella is seen.

The valley of Gona Giya Ella.

Towards Yakkunge Hela and Gombaniya.

Is this Knuckles Kirigalpoththa?

There were two or three mountains to pass before Selva Kanda. Here we have decided to hike to the top of the mountain rather than go along the angle of the mountain. It was a wise decision and we were able to reach the plain where two peaks of Selva Kanda was situated. Rest of the journey was about 30minutes hike to the highest point of Selva Kanda. If someone need to go to other peak of Selva Kanda can go from this plain.

Reached the plain where two peaks of Selva Kanda is situated.

Heading to the peak of Selva Kanda.

I really like to go through this kind of a forest.

Highest point of Selva Kanda has no view point but we have climbed a tree to get a view. Alugal Lena Kanda, Knuckles five peaks and Rilagala were nicely seen here. It was difficult to get a clear view towards other side due to forest cover. We have spent about three and half hours to reach top of Selva Kanda from Lebanon junction.

We are at Selva Kanda.

This Altimeter shows it’s height as 1618m.

Getting on to a tree to get a view.

The view through tree cover.

Different view of Alugal Lena Kanda from Selva Kanda.

Towards Knuckles five peaks.

Rilagala

Team at top of Selva Kanda. Kavinda is the photographer.

On our way back we have decided to bypass the Bamboo area. Return journey was made in two and half hours time to reach the starting point at Lebanon Junction. Luckily we didn’t get rain during this journey. It was another day hike to a peak of Knuckle range.

Return journey.

Rotti for the late lunch as usual.

In return journey.

Back to the stream. Here we have crossed the stream at much higher point than Gona Giya Ella.

We spent a time to get snap with this tree. Kavinda, Thiwanka and Lakmal were the partners of this trip.

Back to Rathnagiriya.

Rathnagiriya line houses.

Thank you