The view point of Udagaldebokka-Udahagala /උඩහගල (=1060m)

Year and Month	2021 April 18th
Number of Days	One
Crew	03-Amal Madawa, Eshan and Myself
Accommodation	Not applicable
Transport	By car and Hiking
Activities	Hiking, Sightseeing and Photography
Weather	Excellent but surrounding was misty
Route	Colombo->Kandy->Hasalaka->Udaththawa->Udagaldebokka-> Udahagala-> Back to Udagaldebokka-> Udaththawa-> Handungamuwa->Hettipola->Naula->Galewela->Kurunegala->Colombo
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Leech protection methods to be followed. There is one night shop at Hasalaka town which can be recommended for breakfast. The last village we can reach by a vehicle is Rankirimada. Then it is a foot path to Udagaldebokka. Be aware of tics as cattle are roaming here. Be alert on wild elephants. Get directions from villagers. This is a moderate strenuous hike. We took about 1.5 hours to reach the highest point of Udahagala from Udagaldebokka village. Carry 500ml water per person. No water source found on top of Udahagala
Author	Niroshan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread The view point of Udagaldebokka-Udahagala /උඩහගල (=1060m)

Udagaldebokka (උඩගල්දෙබොක්ක) is a remote village situated at northern border of Knuckles massif, surrounded by mountains. I have exposed to Udagaldebokka in different times and recent update was the hike to Thelambugala one month ago. Watabadinagala (වැටබදිනාගල) which is a overlooking mountain of Udagaldebokka village similar to Yahangala. Due to it’s attractive appearance we have decided to do Watabadinagala as a separate hike but it ended up at the mountain next to Watabadinagala. This particular mountain called Udahagala (උඩහගල) by villagers and it is the highest point of Watabadinagala range. Villagers visit this range to roam their cattle.

The way to Udagaldebokka village was a repeat journey to Thelambugala. Here we have stopped at Minipe Lake to get some pictures of Yahangala. There was a significant tall waterfall falling from the edge of Yahangala.

Enjoying the sun rise from 18 hair pins bend

Silhouette of Hetakatuwegala

?? Unukirigala and Ulhitiya Reservior

Mahaweli River is seen

Morning view of Yahangala over Hasalaka Tank. Click credit Amal Madawa

Click credit Amal Madawa

Hetakatuwegala and 18 hair pin bends side.
Click credit Amal Madawa

Yahangala and it’s waterfall. Click credit Amal Madawa

Yahangala waterfall… Click credit Amal Madawa

We have parked our vehicle at Kapila Banda Mama’s place and walked to Udagaldebokka. This time we prepared with some logs to help the car to overcome low ground places of the road

Scenic foot path to Udagaldebokka

This time three man team

Watabadinagala is seen when we enter Udagaldebokka

On our way to Udagaldebokka

A break

.	Watabadinagala

Crossing the stream

We have asked from villagers to the route to Watabadinagala. Simply it is a turn from the route of Yahangala. Here we have noted the highest point of Watabadinagala range and villagers mentioned it as Udahagala. As this point is bit taller than Watabadinagala we thought it is worth to be at Udahagala rather than Watabadinagala. Thereafter our target point was Udahagala not Watabadinagala. Hiking along the foot pathway from Udagaldebokka to Yahangala / Velangolla Pathana reminds me our journey to Yahangala in 2012. After Yahangala hike we have descend along this foot path to Udagaldebokka village.

Watabadinagala and Udahagala are situated in same range

Passing paddies of Udagaldebokka

Udagaldebokka village

Udagaldebokka Temple.

Mountains are surrounding Udagaldebokka Village

We turned from Yahangala foot pathway to Udahagala at one point (7.413702, 80.900352) and then followed the ridge of Udahagala to get on it. The top of Udahagala is a sloping plain (පතන/Pathana) with back drop of Yahangala. Villagers come to roam their cattle here because of this plain. As it was a misty day Yahangala side was covered with mist when we reached there but later it was cleared. We took about one and half hours to reach top of Udahagala from Udagaldebokka village.

The turning point: To Udahagala and Yahangala

We followed the ridge of Udahagala to reach top of it.

Amal’s magical tree

The plain on top of Udahagala

The view of Yahangala from Udahagala

Posed with Yahangala when it gets clear.

Then we moved to the highest point of Udahagala where whole Udagaldebokka can be seen. (7.415943, 80.900834)

Highest point of Udahagala where whole Udagaldebokka is seen

Highest point of Udahagala where Udagaldebokka is seen

At highest point of Udahagala

When we were there

Let’s see some aerial photographs of Udahagala and Udagaldebokka.

Here Udahagala with back drop of Yahangala

Udahagala is sloping to Watabadinagala

Udahagala range

Watabadinagala

A seasonal waterfall at Udagaldebokka

Udagaldebokka village

The drop of Udahagala

When we were on top of Udahagala

Right on top of it

Then we have descend to Watabadinagala side and reached the place where Udahagala connects with Watabadinagala. But we didn’t need to move beyond this as there was a significant distance to reach the top of Watabadinagala. Yahangala was well clear when we were back to top of Udahagala. Return journey was uneventful and we have reached the vehicle at noon time.