Misty day on Deniyaya-Kurulugala / කුරුළුගල (967 m)

Year and Month	25^th July 2020
Number of Days	One
Crew	03-Kasun Lakmal, Sumeda Sampath and Myself
Accommodation	Not Applicable
Transport	By bus and three wheeler
Activities	Just visit, Archaeology and Photography
Weather	Misty and ended up with rain
Route	Colombo->Deniyaya->Wiharahena->Enasalwatta Road-> Kurulugala->Kurulugala division of tea estate->Wiharahena->Back in same route to Colombo
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Leech protection methods to be followed. This is situated at the edge of Sinharaja Rain Forest but within it’s premises. Therefore need to get permission. You can properly do this hike with a guide from Sinharaja Samangala entrance. This is an easy hike and it takes about 1-1.5 hours to reach the top (what they mark as view point-2). Start the journey early morning as weather at this area is unpredictable. There is another access from Kurulugala division of Enasalwatta estate. Carry a bottle of water. 0.5-1 l.
Author	Niroshan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Misty day on Deniyaya-Kurulugala / කුරුළුගල (967 m)

This is another travel destination situated at Deniyaya-Samangala area at the border of Sinharaja Rain Forest. I have spotted this mountain when I was at Patna-Deniyaya one week ago. After searching information I knew it as Kurulugala and marked the peak on Google map.
One week after travelling to Deniyaya-Patna I wanted to revisit there for one day hike to Kurulugala. Later we knew this is situated within Sinharaja Rain Forest premises and need permission to visit there.
Sumedha and Myself left Colombo by highway and picked Kasun from Matara. It was fairly a late begin and we have reached Wiharahena junction (විහාරහේන හoදිය) by 9.30 am. As I had a fresh knowledge on the area we decided to park our vehicle just before road divides to Selvakanda and Enasalwatta roads. Road condition was not good for a low ground vehicle along Enasalwatta road (only at some places but you can drive cautiously).
There was about 3 km walk along this road to the begin of the trek. It was a scenic walk and we were able to watch Gongala-Highest of Sabaragamuwa Range, Sooriyakanda and Patna. I have assumed a place in Google map (6.377477, 80.593278) where hike can be started.

View of Kurulugala to Patna. This was my first sight of Kurulugala.

The begin at Enasalwatta road. Kasun Lakmal (left) and Sumedha Sampath (right)

At Enasalwatta Road

View of temple at Wiharahena

.	Towards Gongala….Highest of Sabaragamuwa Mountain Range

We started the trek from Enasalwatta road at a bare land where a board mentioning not to be entered as a government land. There was a clear foot path along this land towards Kurulugala and we have followed this path as nobody was there to ask. Actually this land belongs to Sugar Cane research center and they have a branch at Patna as well. We met a group of workers making a fence across the land and we also followed the line of the fence. At one point we were at base of Kurulugala and got into the bushes. Then we straightway followed the direction of the mountain and within 20-30 minutes time we were on top of Kurulugala.

Entering to the bare land which belongs to sugar cane research center.

They were making a fence along the land. We followed the path with this fence.

Kurulugala in vicinity

Followed the foot path

They were preparing a fence…..

Now we are almost at the base of the mountain

.	The path we came

Though Kurulugala is a small hike it is scenic. As this mountain and surrounding is covered by short Mana it is like Bopaththalawa Mountain in a clear day. Unfortunately it was a misty day and it drizzled when we reached the top. In few minutes time it was settled but mist came from Sinharaja side.

Surrounding view…..

Straightaway get into bushes

About to fall

Coming up….

Sinharaja Rain Forest at Samangala area. A communication tower at Samangala is also seen.

Towards Patna and rest of Sabaragamuwa Hills

.	Some more to the highest point

On top of Kurulugala

Windy top

It’s me….

Everything under my feet….

Risky…..

Three man team

Mist is coming….

Other side….Kurulugala Division of Enasalwatta estate

We have further moved up and found a view point mentioned view point-2 on top of Kurulugala (6.377477, 80.593278). In a clear day you can see Deniyaya area, Gongala, Sooriyakanda etc. from here. It was a descend to other side from view point-2 and we searched for view point-1 but it didn’t come across. Gradually we descend to Kurulugala division of Enasalwatta estate and entered estate road. The “no entry” board to Sinharaja Rain Forest came across at estate road. Actually you can hike this mountain from tea estate as well but it is again illegal. There was a friend’s place at Kurulugala estate where we went for lunch. It ends another hike to an uncommon destination.