Searching for the elusive summit of Dothalugala range

Year and Month	February, 2020
Number of Days	one
Crew	3 (Chamara, Anupama & my self)
Accommodation	N/A
Transport	Jeep
Activities	Hiking / Scenery / Trekking / Photography
Weather	Clear and perfect
Route	Chilaw -> Kurunegala -> Katugasthota -> Theldeniya -> Hunnasgiriya -> Deenston -> Dothalugala trail -> Returned back on the same route
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Take a 2L’s of water Wear attire suitable for protection against thorns. Use Leech repellents Do not carry Plastic items (Minimize), Make sure you bring back everything you took. Don’t disturb wild life Main obstacle is short bushes you need a good knife (Rambo) one or a Keththa to cut through the bushes Keep an open eye on the weather (if it rains the hike is tough) We used the Dothalugala trail highest point to get in to the ridge Its around 1.5Km to the summit from the Dothalugala trail view point February is the ideal time but august is also fine
Related Resources	Trail : Dothalugala trail
Author	Ashan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Searching for the elusive summit of Dothalugala range

Please note that the pile of rocks were at the point where the map indicates as the summit. We did proceed to the other summit which we thought was higher.

The map – Green arrow is the other summit which we reached.

Dothalugala is an known nature trail designated by Forest department but unfortunately it doesn’t extend up to the summit. We decided to give it a try to reach the summit and for that we decided to use the Dothalugala nature trail. We reached Hunnasgiriya early morning and had breakfast, from there we headed towards Deanston forest office where we bought tickets for the Dothalugala nature trail. From the office we walked along the camp site road to reach the trail head. Along the trail we reached the summit view point of Dothalugala nature trail which provides a stunning scenery towards Victoria reservoir.

Target

on the way scenery

Dumbanagala , Geradigala

Kehelpathdoruwa

Aliyawetuna ela, Sphinix 2

circular trail

top of the circular trail

Wamarapugala, Wannimana, Lakegala

endless

the view

open areas

further to climb

The true trekking part begins at this point where we had to climb up 150m uphill to reach a false summit with a pile of rocks signifying the false summit. The scenery which we experienced during this short climb was mesmerizing. Mist blowing while kissing the peaks of knuckles massif was simply heavenly.

mahiyangana side

peaks of Knuckles

hanthana side

knuckles range trough the clouds

.	Aliyawetuna ela

Victoria and hanthana range

false summit of metered map

From here onwards it was a continuous trekking session along the ridge on animal paths until the forest summit was reached. At some points we came across few view points too. Close to the summit there is a view point towards Victoria side. For the landmarks which were seen please refer the images. (It took around 3.5 hours to reach the summit)

.	on the way views

views while walking towards the summit

mini break

animal paths

less explored

summit view point

approximate summit

Rajagala and beyond

twin peaks of Nawanagala

Kukulagala

the drop towards victoria

range towards Nawanagala side

After a small break we returned back on the same route and had a bath at Dothalugala camp site waterfall before exiting the reserve with some lovely memories.