Hike to Kalundawa /කළුන්දෑව (=560m)

Kalundawa is a rock situated at Kalundawa village in Dambulla. The immediate range next to Kalundawa hill is Yakkuragala which I have completed in 2015. When I climbed Yakkuragala (යක්කුරාගල), I didn’t identify Kalundawa as a separate range. Because the top boulders of Yakkuragala has covered the view of Kalundawa.
Four years later I have reached Gedaragalapathana / Walgamwewa Kanda which is situated in front of Yakkuragala range. Both Kalundawa and Yakkuragala peaks were seen nicely and I was able to identify them as separate two ranges.
Then I went back to Google map and planned for the hike along less steep side of the range.

Metric map gives a different idea as it has marked a separate peak as Kalundawa. This peak is about 381m tall and situated at other side of Kalundawa village and continuing with Walgamwewa Kanda. So it made me confused when I write the report after the hike.

Confusion comes with metric map. The identified peak in metric map as Kalundawa is marked by red star. The peak next to Yakkuragala is circled and we have hiked this peak as Kalundawa. Click image to enlarge.

Kalundawa in Google map. This shows our path.

Yakkuragala and Kalundawa ranges. And?? Kalundawa in metric map.

Zoomed view of Kalundawa

As usual my dry zone hiker-Anupama joined with me for this hike. Kasun and myself travelled from Colombo to Dambulla and had breakfast from Dambulla town. Our next target was Dambulu Oya junction at A9 road where Kalundawa road starts. As Anupama was getting late, we have just walked along the road to pass the time. After about 1km, there was a sign board to a small lake called Binthambura (බිoතැඹුර) Lake.
Binthambura lake bund is a nice place to watch surrounding. Kalundawa was seen just opposite to the lake while Walgamwewa Kanda and Manikdena were appearing on the other side of the lake.

Trees are branching over Binthambura Lake.

Binthambura Lake

Lake bund

Binthambura Lake.

It is a nice place for bird watching

Photography at Binthambura Lake.

Karagahathenna and Gammaduwa with towers

Dry lake

Binthambura Lake

Manikdena and Lenadora peaks over lake bund

Lenadora

Walgamwewa Kanda / Gedaragalapathana

There was an abounded quarry about hundred meters from Binthambura Lake. We have started the hike behind this quarry.
It was a sharp ascend from the beginning till we reached a nice view point towards this dry lake.

Behind the quarry

Steep ascend for warm up

Nature creation

Reaching the first view point after a hard hike

Teak and mango cultivation

Binthambura Lake and bund

Rice mill

Dahayyiakanda and Dambulugala

Isolated stupa

Ibbankatuwa reservoir

Second phase of the hike started from this view point. We have walked along this rocky ridge and entered the forest. Within about half an hour time we were able to get on to the ridge of the range. Following that it was like a walk over the ridge under the forest cover. Last one hundred meters of the hike was again an ascend till we reached the knife blade summit of the rock. We have spent about two hours to reach the top from quarry.

We have entered the forest patch along the rocky ridge

Into the forest

Another view point

Same view with at higher point

Through the forest

A break on trees

The summit of Kalundawa is a narrow place with 360 degree view. Yakkuragala range was rising in other side. Ritigala, Sigiriya, Pidurangala, Kandalama Lake, Ibbankatuwa reservoir, Dambulla rock, Dahiya Kanda, Erawula Kanda, Galkoth Kanda, Beliya Kanda and Nuwaragala Kanda were identified at Yakkuragala side.

Getting on to the narrow summit of Kalundawa

Yakkuragala range. I have been there four years ago.

Erawula Gala, Galkoth Kanda and newly identified Bambaragala.

Kandalama Lake

Kahala Pallekale range and Ibbankatuwa reservoir

Ibbankatuwa reservoir with pleasure island

Ritigala

Nuwaragala Kanda is situated behind Erawula Gala

Sigiriya and Pidurangala covered with smoke

Beliya Kanda and Galewela side

Posing at summit

On top of Kalundawa

Kalundawa village with vegetable farms and small lakes is situated at the base of the rock. There was a sheer drop on that side. Walgamwewa Kanda, Karagahathenna, Gammaduwa, Wilshire, Makulussa, Etipola, Arangala, Kadigala, Manikdena and Lenadora were seen in this side. It was a bit difficult to stand on top due to wind.

Walgamwewa Kanda / Gedaragalapathana.

Arangala, Manikdena and Lenadora

Wilshire, Etipola and Makulussa

Towery peaks: Karagahathenna and Gammaduwa. The one rising behind the range must be Gombaniya.

Rocky summit of Kalundawa

A lake at Kalundawa village

Cultivation at Kalundawa village

A lake at Kalundawa village

Another rise mill and a factory

When we were on top of Kalundawa

Return journey was made in an hour time. On our way back to Dambulla, we had a dip at Dambulu Oya. It was a successful day with good hike.

Enjoy the view on top https://youtu.be/7z-6pF7c-xc

Thanks for reading