Hike to Dumbanagala (1642m) in a clear day

Dumbanagala (දුම්බානගල) is a remarkable peak in Knuckles massif and my first visit to Dumbanagala happened in a misty day. It is hard to find clear photos taken from Dumbanagala peak as it is covered with mist most of the time.
Dumbanagala Chalet is a beautiful bungalow situated at base of the mountain. I have passed it several times on my way to Meemure and some other peaks of Knuckles range. It was my dream to stay at this Chalet and I coupled it with Dumbanagala hike.

Dumbanagala (1642m) in metric map.

Just add some pictures of Dumabanagala for sake of completion of the report.

View of Dumbanagala on our way to Sphinix-2 rock. It is like a mountain with head and tail.

How Dumbanagala is seen to Dothalugala camp site. This is completely other side of above picture.

Appearance of Dumbanagala to Meemure road. This was captured just after the Corbett’s gap. You can’t see Dumbanagala right at Corbett’s gap.

Closer view and colorful appearance of Dumbanagala at Balalgira.

This was kind of a leisure trip and we need to be relaxed at Dumbanagala Chalet. Luckily we were the only guests at Bungalow on that day. Harinda, Kasun Shanaka and Vinoda joined with me for this journey and on our way to Ududumbara we have visited Nelligala International Buddhist Center and Udawatta Kale.
Ududumbara-Meemure road was busy on those days as President’s visit to Meemure was scheduled few days later. Number of vehicles passed the road and some Lorries parked at Corbett’s gap.

Dumbanagala Chalet (7.374971, 80.851865)

This two storied chalet situated at base of Dumbanagala peak. It can accommodate about twenty guests at one time. Earlier it was full of foreign tourists and situation was changed with Corona outbreak. Rooms are faced to Koboneelagala and Dothalugala side. Care takers of the bungalow keep the place clean and tidy. It is a known hike to Dumabanagala from the Chalet. There is a natural pool at the corner of the premises to have a bath. (Unfortunately we have visited there at last moment).

.	Entrance of Dumbanagala Chalet

A bend at Meemure road

Dumbanagala Chalet situated at base of Dumbanagala

Two storied Dumbanagala Chalet

Dumbanagala Chalet

Dumbanagala Chalet-Living Room

Enjoying the view…..

Bed room. PC-Kasun Shanaka

Each room has an upstair with extra bed. PC-Kasun Shanaka.

Garden table

Wide open balcony at Dining hall is ideal for a large group

Evening at Dumbanagala Chalet

View from Dumbanagala Chalet…Sphinix-1, Aliyawatuna Ela peak, Koboneelagala and Dothalugala

.	Morning view from Dumbanagala Chalet

Each room has balconies

Towards natural pool

.	Natural pool

Aerial view of Chalet with the bend

Outdoor breakfast at Dumbanagala Chalet

Hike from Dumbanagala from Dumbanagala Chalet

According to my previous report, Dumabanagala is a mountain with head and stalk. Last time we got on to the stalk and walked on it towards the peak. There was a clear path on the ridge / stalk until the peak. Dumbanagala hike is a known activity of Chalet. As a result there is a clear foot path from the bungalow to the ridge. (Actually this path to their cultivations not mere to hike the mountain)
We had an early morning start from the Chalet at 6.45am. The morning was clear we refreshed with bed tea. Our main objective was to reach the peak before mist wraps it. The caretaker has briefed the foot path from the chalet to the ridge. Surprisingly there was a stone laid path from the Chalet to somewhat extent and then it was a clear foot pathway.

Starting the journey….Harinda is back to the track after a long time

Stone laid path from the Chalet

We had an early start

It was a beautiful morning

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Foot rest

Stone laid foot path becomes a clear foot path

Foot path was vanished at this hut

We couldn’t trace the foot path after a particular small hut and we were back to our Google maps. There were a small unclear stretch with an ascend after this hut till we reach the ridge. Then we could trace the foot path on the ridge of Dumbanagala. There was a gradual ascend along the ridge and we have passed some Bamboo section and Nelu bushes to reach the head of the mountain. Once we reached the open area, surrounding was blue and clouds were at the level of mountain.
Some of major peaks popped up above clouds: Knuckles five peaks, Alugal Lena, Hunnasgiriya Mountain, Piduruthalagala Range and Mahakudugala.

A giant tree

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Through Bamboo

We have reached the open area….note clouds are below the level of mountain.

Knuckles five peaks and Alugal Lena

Hunnasgiriya Peak

Mahakudugala (left) and Piduruthalagala range (right)….Second Line Mountains

Heading to the peak

Reaching the top….

The beauty of the peak (7.383406, 80.855867) was destroyed by treasure hunters and a large excavation was carried at the top. This was revealed by Ashan in his journey at 2020. It is a work of local treasure hunters and police has closed this pit later. Again these people have dug the same pit and now a slight land slide happened on the side of the mountain.
We have spent two and half hours to reach the peak from Dumbanagala Chalet. Other than previously mentioned mountains we were able to view Lakegala, Gombaniya, Thelambugala, Gerandigala and Paddies at Meemure. Actually clouds were at the level of Dumbanagala and most the structures below that level were not visible.
It was an enjoyable time as I could accomplish my journey in some extent. We have posed at Dumbanagala with backdrop of Knuckles and Alugal Lena.

The pit made at the top of Dumbanagala by treasure hunters

Top of Dumbanagala

Bushes on top

Mountainous forest on top of Dumbanagala

මහ රත්මල්

Thelambugala???

Close up of Thelambugala

Lakegala

Lakegala

Paddies at Meemure

Towards Knuckles Five peak and Alugal Lena

Selfie on top…

Having snacks on top…

Gathered at Peak of Dumbanagala

Harinda is looking at the pit

Posing with Knuckles and Alugal Lena Mountain On Top Of Dumbanagala

Posing with Knuckles and Alugal Lena Mountain on top of Dumbanagala

Posing with Knuckles and Alugal Lena Mountain on top of Dumbanagala

It’s me….

I was able to get some fantastic aerial views of Dumbanagala and surroundings.

Aerial view of Dumbanagala. Note the slight landslide occurred from top.

Dumbanagala with backdrop of Knuckles five peaks, Alugal Lena Mountain and Gombaniya.

Another aspect of Dumbanagala

Different view

Common view

Dumbanagala

We were on top of Dumbanagala

Surrounding view

Surrounding view

Towards Gerandigala

We were back to the Chalet in one and half hours time and our breakfast was ready at that time. Following our outdoor breakfast we said good bye to the care taker of Dumbanagala Chalet and headed to Colombo.

Outdoor breakfast

Thanks for reading