Hike to Nawanagala / Nawenagala (නාවනගල/නෑවෙනගල) (1488m)

Year and Month	2020 January 04th
Number of Days	One
Crew	04-Keshan, Sumedha Sampath, Nuwan and Myself
Accommodation	Not applicable
Transport	By bus and hiking
Activities	Hiking and Photography
Weather	Excellent
Route	Colombo->Kandy->Hunnasgiriya in A26 road->Nawenagala->Back in the same route->Colombo
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Leech protection methods to be followed. It is a moderate strenuous hike. We spent about five hours to reach the highest point. Wear an attire and gloves. Better have a knife. Bamboo is a main obstacle. On top of first peak and edge of first peak are good camp sites. But no water sources. Start the journey early. Carry a bottle of water at least 1l per person. No water sources after certain distance. Special thanks to Chamara for sharing some important details about the hike.
Related Resources	Nawanagala surveyors point /නාවනගල
Author	Niroshan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Hike to Nawanagala / Nawenagala (නාවනගල/නෑවෙනගල) (1488m)

Nawanagala / Nawenagala is another mountain situated at southern border of Knuckles Massif. It can be well seen when you travel along A26 road, just after Hunnasgiriya town. The majestic appearance of Nawenagala attracts travelers to hike it. As it is situated at southern border of Knuckles massif, the top of Nawenagala was a surveyor point as well. It was mentioned as one place where sacred tooth relic was kept on it’s way to Kandy. One of the reasons for the name Nawanagala (නාවනගල) is due to the frequent wetness of one of the lower peaks.

Let’s see the view of Nawenagala from different mountains

Classic view of Nawenagala from Randenigala Hills. Highest peak is seen in front. Other peak is seen behind.

View of Nawenagala from Aliyakotagala.

View of Nawenagala from Kodibendihinna.

It’s unique appearance makes easy to identify it. From Chariot pathway.

It was our first hike of 2020. Ashan and Chamara have done it one year before and their information was our guide. Early morning we have reached Hunnasgiriya town and had breakfast from small tea shop right next to Meemure road. According to Ashan’s report Nawenagala has two peaks. Our plan was to hike along the ridge of the mountain to reach 1st peak (7.183848, 80.511359) and then move to 2nd peak (7.312162, 80.857327).

Click image to enlarge. Two peaks of Nawanagala are marked.

We got onto the ridge of the mountain from the first bend of Meemure road. Lower part of Nawenagala is completely covered by Pinus forest with minimal under growth. At the end of Pinus forest we have entered the forest with Bamboo bushes.

Nuwan (left), Keshan and Sumedha (right)-members of the journey

Along Meemure road…. This was the point where we got into the forest patch

Towards Bambaragan Oya side

Checking clicks….

Medamahanuwara Kanda and A26 road. Medamahanuwara Kanda / Rajagala Kanda was the neighboring peak of this journey.

කෑලෑ ගොටුකොළ

It’s a beautiful morning

Buddha statue at Hunnasgiriya… Through Pinus window

Transferring from Pinus forest to mountainous forest

There was an almost clear foot path through the forest till we reach the water stream. Seems people have move along this path frequently to set tube lines to get water.

Morning sun rays…

Forest above pinus patch

Coming across the water stream

It was the only water source we came across in this hike. After another 20-30 minutes hike we were able to reach the ridge of first peak which was completely covered with Bamboo. Thickly woven bamboo was the main obstacle we have faced.
After a certain distance a foot pathway was noted through Bamboo forest. Later we have reached a place where highest peak of Nawenagala and surrounding were seen.

Back to forest cover after the stream

Small rock climbing part

Get into Bamboo

Facing the main obstacle-Bamboo

Coming out of Bamboo forest.

2nd peak of Nawenagala

Winding A26 road

Paddies

Again we continued the journey through Bamboo forest along the clear path. This bamboo forest finished at an open area with good view. It includes Medamahanuwara Kanda, Victoria reservoir, Kandy town, Ambuluwawa, Alagalla etc.

Reached the second view point on our way up….

Madamahanuwara Kanda

Bambaragan Oya side

Part of Victoria Reservoir

Hills beyond Victoria reservoir

Ambuluwawa tower is seen as a white dot

Kabaragala

Kandy town and Alagalla

Might be Piduruthalagala hills

It was about 500m below the summit of first peak. We walked through an open area and passed small forest patch to reach the top of first peak. The scenery was the combination of above mentioned first two view points. We had a long rest at this first peak after about 3½-4 hour journey. Though mist has covered our view intermittently it was not a major issue. Height of the first peak was about 1420m.

Continuous ascend….

තේ ගෙඩි

A lot of mushroom

Reached first peak of Nawenagala

The view from first peak

Hunnasgiriya and Campbell lane forest reserve

Mist was around

Having a long rest at first peak

2nd peak / highest point of Nawenagala is situated at 1488m height. It was about another 1-1½ hour hike from first peak to second peak of Nawenagala. We have passed a nice plain which is situated at the edge of first peak. It was a good camp site and there were evidence of camping as well.

Second peak of Nawenagala is seen to first peak

Good camp site at edge of 1st peak

Evidence of camping…

.	We are closer to second peak

There was a significant drop between the edge of 1st peak and second peak of Nawenagala. After passing another forest patch and bushy area, we were able to reach second peak / highest point of Nawenagala. Few meters before the highest point, we have noted the Erskine mark. Closer to Erskine point we were able to view Yahangala, Kehelpothdoruwegala, Velangolla Pathana, Gerandi Eli, Ududumbara town, Hetakatuwegala, Galpadihela and Mahiyanganaya area. There was a collection of stones at the highest point but no view there. Then we moved to the edge of the mountain and climbed on trees to get a clear view on that side. It includes Madamahanuwara Kanda, Hunnasgiriya town, Kodibendihinna, Kukulagala, Hegasulla, Randenigala reservoir, Padupola plain, Randenigala hills and Hunnasgiriya area.