24/09/2024
Conquer the Knuckles 5 Peaks with Travel Artisans by Yatra
After a few months of silence, we’re excited to embark on our travel journey once again. This time, our destination is the heart of Sri Lanka’s central mountain range: the Knuckles Five Peaks hike. Renowned as one of the best hiking destinations in the country, Knuckles offers an ideal escape for hiking and trekking enthusiasts. The five peaks, resembling knuckles, are the namesake of this stunning mountain range, inviting adventurers to explore its breathtaking landscapes.
When the suggestion to visit the Knuckles Forest Reserve for the "Five Peaks Hike" came up, I felt a surge of excitement and quickly teamed up with Prageeth to prepare the event plan. We scheduled the hike for Saturday, ensuring we had a full day to rest before returning to work. Most participants were from Colombo, with a few joining us from Kurunegala. Our plan was to depart from Colombo around midnight, but we ended up leaving an hour late. Despite the late start, spirits remained high, and the winding roads offered glimpses of Sri Lanka’s beautiful landscapes, hinting at the adventure that lay ahead.
We had to travel around 35 km from Kandy via Teldeniya and the surrounding was somewhat familier after our hike to previous Knuckles hike & Dolukanda Hike.
Since the Knuckles Five Peaks trailhead is a few kilometers from Hagalle Estate, we hadn’t arranged for vehicles in advance due to the road conditions, which made bus travel unfeasible. Additionally, a few team members had informed me earlier that they would be staying at the villa until our return. Our early morning began on a sour note with the initial villa, but we managed to change accommodations within a few hours. The second villa, called Misty Mountain Bungalow, was conveniently located close to the trailhead, setting us up perfectly for our hike.
After overcoming numerous setbacks and challenges, we finally reached the trailhead around 11:00 AM. We distributed the water bottles we had brought, and our second team sent lunch packets via scooter to meet us there. At the trailhead, we noticed a monument where locals hang leaves from a tree to pray for blessings for their journey ahead. The view from the trailhead was stunning, but the misty weather obscured our destination. Our trek would begin from Dawatagala, with a total distance of about 4 kilometers to the first peak. Fortunately, the starting point was easy to find, thanks to Google Maps.
A few minutes after entering the "Knuckles Nature Trail," we came across a stream of crystal-clear water. We decided to take a small detour to visit Knuckles Falls. Though smaller in height and width, the falls created a breathtaking scene with the sun’s rays filtering through the trees. We snapped some photos and enjoyed a quick shower before returning to the trail, realizing we were already behind schedule, with half of our team 20 minutes ahead.
After refreshing ourselves at Knuckles Falls, we resumed our hike. The footpath started off easy, but it gradually became more challenging as we climbed. We took a few breaks for water and peanuts to prevent cramping, while Dhanuka and I carried the weight of the lunch packets.
During the trek, we encountered several small streams, but there was one in particular that we needed to cross. During the monsoon season, crossing these streams can be a bit risky. This stream is the last water source until we reach the fourth peak during the dry season. After navigating the stream, we entered the forest cover just a few meters ahead. There were some nice spots to take a break, and we even experimented with some music along the way.
It took us over two hours to reach the first viewpoint, but unfortunately, it was completely shrouded in mist. Along the trail, we met up with our first hiking crew and continued together. On our way up, we spotted a “Dumbara An Katussa” or Leaf-nosed Lizard (Ceratophora tennentii).
The last half kilometer of the hike was particularly challenging, with a steep slope that required us to navigate some difficult areas. The footpath from Thangappuwa joined us on the right just before reaching the first peak. As most of us were feeling exhausted, we took a quick break for snacks at the first peak, along with some time for selfies and leech removal. After a bit of discussion, everyone agreed that we should wait until the second peak for lunch, so we pressed on with our climb.
The downward slope after the first peak led to another upward climb, and soon we reached the second peak. By the time we stopped for lunch, we were completely drained of energy. A few of us were energized by “Jeewani,” and I had consumed over 2 liters of water! There was a rope in the final section of the second peak, but we were cautioned not to put our full weight on it if we were too heavy.
While all five peaks appear to have similar elevations, the second peak is considered the highest point at 1,864 meters, making it the second-highest peak in the entire Knuckles massif, just below Gombaniya Peak at 1,906 meters.
We settled on a large rock at the second peak, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding area. The second peak is also a popular camping spot, but camping is not permitted there. Unfortunately, we encountered a few groups who had broken the rules and were camping despite the Forest Department’s restrictions.
At the peak, we enjoyed our lunch packets and carefully shared the remaining water. A few biscuits helped fill the last gaps in our stomachs. We spent only about 30 minutes there before starting our descent, mindful of the time and the gathering signs of rain.
Our descent was quicker, and we reached Knuckles Falls around 5:00 PM. Everyone relished a refreshing shower under the falls. As the sun set rapidly, the footpath grew darker, but we made it back to the villa before 6:30 PM, where we warmed up with a comforting cup of tea.
The signs of rain passed, revealing the mountain peaks as dark silhouettes against the evening sky. Once the entire crew gathered, we celebrated the night with music, whisky, delicious BBQ, and dancing.
We returned to Colombo the next day by 11:00 PM. During the second day, we enjoyed another refreshing river bath and a short hike to the bus. It was a well-spent weekend, filled with the satisfaction of a great hike and a memorable after-party.
As we reflected on our journey, we felt a profound sense of accomplishment and connection—not just to the breathtaking landscapes of Knuckles, but also to each other. The laughter, challenges, and shared experiences forged lasting memories that we would carry with us. Here’s to more adventures in the future, where nature’s beauty continues to inspire us and friendships grow stronger with every trek. Until next time!
Travel note: Thanura Hashantha
