Beyond Nuwaragala…..Rawulagala/Pethangala (320m) / නුවරගලින් ඔබ්බට..….. (රැවුලාගල/පෙතන්ගල)

Nuwaragala (නුවරගල) and Ethbaddegala / Ethbadda (ඇත්බැද්ද) are giants of Nuwaragala Forest Reserve. There are other rocks rising around these two giants. I wanted to hike some of these mountains to get different view of Nuwaragala and Ethbadda. Here we hiked the mountain adjacent to Nuwaragala and in front of Ethbadda. In metric map it is mentioned as Pethangala (පෙතන්ගල) but locals called it as Rawulagala (රැවුලාගල).

Pethangala in metric map (marked in red arrow). Note it is situated closer to Nuwaragala and Ethbadda. Click image to enlarge.

This was the first day of two days journey to Maha Oya. Our approach to Maha Oya was quite long as we had to pick up Kasun from Matara and Duranga from Bible. After passing a difficult section from Bibile to Padiyathalawa (due to construction of roads) we have reached Maha Oya. “Homemade” was the place we can recommend to have meals when you pass Maha Oya. Road construction was undergoing till 69 junction to make the start delay.

When I looked at Google map Pethangala/ Rawulagala is situated closer to Aranthalawa side compared to Pollebadda. Therefore we planned to enter the forest reserve from Aranthalawa side and we could notice some gravel roads into the forest reserve from main road. After visiting Ethbadda and Nuwaragala in 2019 we returned to main road in Aranthalawa side.

We were able to find a friendly place to park our vehicle and there was a gravel road into the forest reserve. These villagers warned us about wild elephants but to thanks to god we didn’t come across any till we returned. Our beginning was slight late-9.30am.

Google map was our main guide of the journey. The gravel road gets branches and became a foot pathway. We cautiously walked in the forest due to warning of wild elephants.

Journey started. Four man team with newly added Duranga who stands right behind me.

Gravel road into the forest. This is mainly due to cattle.

It was a brighten day.

The road is branched and became a foot path.

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The route was almost a flat terrain till we reached the base of Pethangala. On our way we got on to a small slab rock to look around. Walimbe Hela (වාලිම්බේ හෙල) / Friar’s Hood was seen as a giant while Ethbadda and Pethangala appeared in front of it. The view of Nuwaragala was covered by Pethangala.

We got on top of a small rock to look around.

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.	Back to the path

Group snap….

Terrain in dry zone….

.	Walimbe Hela

Close up of Walimbe Hela

Ethbadda (left) and Pethangala (right).

This is our destination of the day… Pethangala / Rawulagala

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It was a gradual ascend from base of Pethangala to the top of it. There were some covered areas and large trees to get a shelter during the ascend. Pethangala hike was kind of a step wise ascend like Ethbadda. After hike certain distance we were able to watch around and identify some nearby mountains. Here Omanugala, Kamburagala, Dimbulagala, Henanegala and mountains at Narakamulla area drew our attention.

The hike started

A natural cave

After ascend some distance

It was kind of a step wise ascend

Kamburagala and Omanugala

Omanugala and Henanegala (most right)

Dimbulagala

Mountains at Narakamulla area

Unknown

With further hike we came to the edge of Pethangala where Ethbadda is seen. We were able to see elephants roaming on top of Ethbadda. Later we came to the edge of Pethangala where Nuwaragala and rest of mountains are seen. It was kind of unique view of Nuwaragala you can have. In addition to Nuwaragala we were able to see Nilgala (නිල්ගල), Berahela (බෙරහෙල), Kurittupudam (කුරිට්ටුපුදම්), Mahagallela (මහගල්ලෑල්ල) and Viyana Hela (far away) from Pethangala. We spent time to get snaps with back ground of Nuwaragala and accessory mountains.

Came to the edge of Pethangala where Ethbadda and Walimbe are seen.

Close up of Walimbe Hela.

Elephants on Ethbadda-circled

Elephants on Ethbadda-circled

Walking under forest cover for a relief

Human activities

Full view of Ethbadda

We came to the edge of Pethangala where Nuwaragala and rest of mountains are seen.

With Nuwaragala

Nilgala, Berahela and Nuwaragala (right)

More details of adjacent mountains

The drop of Nuwaragala. Viyana Hela is seen far away

Fruits are ideal to carry at dry zone hiking instead of starchy snacks and sweets.

With back drop of Nuwaragala

Accessory mountains of Nuwaragala range

The jump

Further moved to Nuwaragala side

Then we moved to the highest point of Pethangala which is under forest cover. We could notice evidence of some human activities there. It was around 2pm and we have spent about 4 hours to reach the peak (We spent much time for photos and it was bit hard due to heat). Then we followed the same route in return journey to get back to the vehicle. It was fairly late when we were back to main road but didn’t have elephant encounter though we expected at late evening. So another successful dry zone hike was over.

The highest point of Pethangala.

Highest point of Pethangala is under forest cover

Team at highest point

Wild flowers

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Return journey

Let’s see some aerial pictures taken from Pethangala

Pethangala

Pethangala

Nuwaragala

Here you can see Gorikana (Right behind Nuwaragala with greenish cap), Kokagala and Unukirigala

Ethbadda. Here you can see Walimbe Hela (left) and mountains at Dora Ira area (left)

Greatly appreciate the help of Chamara to name these mountains. Rambakan Oya reservior is also seen here.

The drop

On top of Pethangala

On top of Pethangala

This is our route to Pethangala.

Thanks for reading