By Jeevan Dananjaya #speedbirdsadventures
(Click the link at the end of this article to watch the documentary of Epic Hike to Adam’s Peak via Sandagalathenna – Rajamale, in Speed Birds Adventures Channel).
It is another cold morning here in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, and today we are heading towards one of the most holy mountains in the country… the legendary Adam’s Peak.
We started our journey early in the morning, driving along the beautiful Hatton–Maskeliya Road towards Nallathanniya. Around 7.00 AM, we reached the Nallathanniya junction and turned left onto a narrow winding road leading through the breathtaking Moray Tea Estate.
The tea fields spread across the mountains like a giant green carpet. Tea pluckers are already busy harvesting tender tea shoots while the cold mist slowly drifts across the hills. On our way, we pass eucalyptus patches, forest blocks, and stunning mountain scenery that truly captures the beauty of Sri Lanka’s central highlands.
Finally, we arrive at the far end of the Rajamale Division of Moray Estate and park our vehicle near a small Hindu temple. From here… the real adventure begins.
With our backpacks ready, we start walking through the tea fields for a few minutes until we reach a small junction. We take the footpath on the right-hand side and continue climbing gradually uphill.
After around ten minutes, we finally reach the boundary between the tea plantation and the natural montane forest of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. This is the true entrance to the wild ecosystem.
There is an information board placed here by the Department of Wildlife Conservation explaining the importance of protecting this precious rainforest. Unfortunately, many pilgrims have tied branches onto the notice board as part of a traditional belief. But as nature lovers, we believe protecting the forest itself is the greatest respect we can give to this holy place.
And now… once we enter the forest, everything changes instantly. The cool air becomes more humid. The view of the tea estate disappear, replaced by birdsong, flowing water, and the whispering wind through the trees.
We stop beside a crystal-clear stream to refill our water bottles with fresh mountain water before continuing deeper into the forest.
This trail is absolutely beautiful. We can observe native montane forest plants, giant lianas, understory vegetation, moss-covered tree trunks, lichens, orchids, and ferns growing everywhere due to the humid climate. Every step feels like walking through a hidden world untouched by time.
Along the trail, we meet a few Buddhist monks descending from the mountain. Unlike the main pilgrimage route, this path is quiet, less crowded, and completely surrounded by nature. After nearly three hours of climbing, we finally reach an open rocky plateau called Sandagalathenna
Panoramic view of Adam’s Peak at Sandagalathenna
For the first time today, we can clearly see Adam’s Peak rising above the clouds. This rocky grassland is exposed to strong winds, so only short grasses survive here. We take a short rest, enjoy some snacks, and spend time admiring the ever-changing scenery as clouds drift across the sacred mountain.
After our break, we continue ascending once again through the montane forest. Now the trees become shorter and heavily shaped by the strong mountain winds. Many tree trunks are twisted and bent, creating umbrella-shaped canopies across the trail. The climb becomes steeper and more challenging from here.
After another hour of hiking, we finally connect with the famous Hatton–Nallathanniya pilgrimage route at Mahagiridambaya. From this point onward, we climb the well-maintained stairway leading toward the summit.
As we continue higher, we are rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary.
On the way, we also observe an ancient footpath revealed inside the jungle after landslides caused during the Ditwah Cyclone period in November 2025. It is incredible evidence showing that people have been climbing this holy mountain through these forests for many decades, perhaps even centuries.
And finally… After nearly five hours of hiking from Moray Estate, we successfully reach the summit of Adam’s Peak.
Standing here among thousands of pilgrims, surrounded by clouds and mountains, truly feels unforgettable. This is not just a hike… it is a spiritual journey through nature, history, and culture.
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