Trip to Piduruthalagala Summit

I see this mountain from faraway almost every day but had not got a chance to climb it. My father had told me that the area was controlled by the army and we needed permission to go up there. He promised that he would one day find a way to take me up there.

In November last year my father was invited to join some of his friends to climb Piduruthalagala Mountain. He had asked them if I too could join.

The following day we went to Nuwaraeliya by vehicle and reached the army check point at the entrance to the forest. Although we had permission to walk to the top, the soldiers at the check point were reluctant to allow us to walk. However, my father’s friends made a few calls and then we were allowed to walk.

Although Piduruthalagala is the highest point of the country (2524m) the walk up the mountain along the road was easy. The distance to the top was 5.6km. Walking through the trees was interesting and as the weather was good whenever there were openings in the trees we could see beautiful scenery.

Adam’s Peak far way

Nuwaraeliya Town far below

Waterfall in the Jungle

Along the road there were some thorny bushes that had some wild berries. We picked some just to taste and I got the ripe ones.

Yammy

When we reached the top it looked like a town. There were lots and lots of buildings and antenna towers. Many more buildings were also being built.

We walked up to the top most point where the Survey Department has made a ‘Trig Point’.

2524m

North – South – East – West

However, as the mist had come down we could not see around.

After spending some time at the top we came back down the road in a vehicle and returned home.