I have always been craving for great adventures!
Since I did Ella Rock hike a few months ago, Devil's Staircase has been on my mind to be the next in the bucket list. After some hours of preparation, with my backpack, camera, and journal, here I am at Colombo Railway Station.
The train ride from Colombo to Ohiya is 9 hours. It seems like a long journey, until you get started!. I was planning to hop into the 8:00 pm night mail train. Due to my extreme excitement, I arrived an hour early at the station. I found a seat near the platform and started to read my unfinished book. Eventually, The big digital clock with red neon lights said it's 8 o' clock. And my journey begins.
I was able to get some sleep during the train ride. It was about 4:30 in the morning when I got off at Ohiya railway station. A 'cold' breeze of wind gave me that feeling of a hearty welcome.
There was a small cafe in front of the station, I stayed for a while and had a cup of tea to warm me up. After about an hour, the sun starts to greet the horizon with a bright orangy sunlight, and its glittering rays seemingly playing on tree tops. What an astounding view indeed!. It is truly amazing how such simple things can make you smile...give you that feeling of happiness and peace. For a moment there, I can only hear myself breathing in and out. And all the more, that view made me enjoy my cup of tea.
As soon as I finished my tea, I geared up to start my hike, though I had no idea which path to take. Well, Unplanned trips are the best. Such an excuse! I asked the woman in the cafe and she kindly helped me out with the directions. From the well-tarred road in front of the railway station, I walked for about 2 km to reach the junction marked "Horton Plains".
It was a lovely walk, your eyes will be brimmed by the view of tall pine trees covering the side of the road.
A few meters more and I found a small and lonely timbered hut and I couldn't resist simply passing through without stopping by. I sat for a while, enjoyed its shade while I scrawl some notes in my journal.
Having a few meters walked from the small hut, I saw the grand entrance on my left-hand side to Devil's Staircase. One of the most popular hiking trails in Sri Lanka.
The rocky road goes across Udaveriya estate through some tea and vegetable plantations. As I continue my hike, I reached an area that seemed like an abandoned village. After passing some small houses, it did not take much time for me to notice that it was the wrong trail. But Instead of going back, since I can see a man working in a garden not too far from where I was, I decided to walk further towards him to ask for directions. He was kind enough to show me a foot-path I should take leading back to the right trail.
The hike distance from Ohiya to Kalupajana is about 20 km. My plan includes visiting Bambarakanda and Lanka falls along the way. Apart from the rough trail, the most challenging part is the distance.
But seeing those misty mountains, breathtaking views and walking on this gravel trail refreshed me. It was just a magical world. And that's all I wanted...
Sometimes I can hear a sound of a small water spring from the pine forest. Which would end up being a river, or maybe a waterfall...
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| Ohiya railway station |
As soon as I finished my tea, I geared up to start my hike, though I had no idea which path to take. Well, Unplanned trips are the best. Such an excuse! I asked the woman in the cafe and she kindly helped me out with the directions. From the well-tarred road in front of the railway station, I walked for about 2 km to reach the junction marked "Horton Plains".
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| A Hindu temple |
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| The lonely summer hut |
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| Stairway to Heaven |
The hike distance from Ohiya to Kalupajana is about 20 km. My plan includes visiting Bambarakanda and Lanka falls along the way. Apart from the rough trail, the most challenging part is the distance.
Sometimes I can hear a sound of a small water spring from the pine forest. Which would end up being a river, or maybe a waterfall...
A hoot of an owl. Which is 'owlsome'! (Sometimes I want to be an owl when I am exhausted by being a human!)
After about four and a half hours, I was able to reach the Bambarakanda falls, the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka with a height of 240.7 m. It's just a breathtaking view. After taking a few photos, I picked a shaded spot, sat down and took some rest while enjoying a magnificent view of the fall. The sound of clear water flowing through the solid rock walls is a music that took me to that feeling of peace and contentment.
Visiting Lanka Falls was a bit tricky. The trail goes with some steeper slopes through a pine forest and I had to be careful with stepping on dead pine leaves on the ground because it can be slippery.
A walk in the woods took me to an edge of the mountain and I could see the top of the Lanka falls from there. I can feel myself being energized just by seeing the fall from afar. I could not keep the excitement in me! Then finally, there she is! It was a remarkably beautiful creation of Mother Nature! I was literally in awe! My soul was so thrilled! It feels like home.
The falls got its name from the pool below the fall itself which resembles the shape of the island of Sri Lanka. One lovely thing I noticed is that the place was still unspoiled by humans. Probably because of the gruelling footpath to get there. Mother Nature's way of keeping some magnificent secrets. As selfish as it sounds, I hope it stays that way - hidden.
After spending the most relaxing time of my hike at Lanka Falls, it was time to head back.
Another great experience. Another great adventure. I was where I feel most alive.
I came out of the forest and walked the rest of the hike to Kalupahana junction to get a bus to Colombo.
Visiting Lanka Falls was a bit tricky. The trail goes with some steeper slopes through a pine forest and I had to be careful with stepping on dead pine leaves on the ground because it can be slippery.
A walk in the woods took me to an edge of the mountain and I could see the top of the Lanka falls from there. I can feel myself being energized just by seeing the fall from afar. I could not keep the excitement in me! Then finally, there she is! It was a remarkably beautiful creation of Mother Nature! I was literally in awe! My soul was so thrilled! It feels like home.
The falls got its name from the pool below the fall itself which resembles the shape of the island of Sri Lanka. One lovely thing I noticed is that the place was still unspoiled by humans. Probably because of the gruelling footpath to get there. Mother Nature's way of keeping some magnificent secrets. As selfish as it sounds, I hope it stays that way - hidden.
After spending the most relaxing time of my hike at Lanka Falls, it was time to head back.
Another great experience. Another great adventure. I was where I feel most alive.
I came out of the forest and walked the rest of the hike to Kalupahana junction to get a bus to Colombo.
"Travelling, It leaves you speechless. Then turns you into a storyteller."
-Ibn Battuta-
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