Knuckles Mountain Range: Thangappuwa to Rangala Waterfall Trek

The trek from Thangappuwa to Rangala Waterfall is one of the most serene and scenic adventures in the Knuckles Mountain Range. This trail combines cultural immersion with natural splendor, making it a favorite among both locals and tourists seeking tranquility and adventure.

Highlights of the Trek

  1. Starting Point - Thangappuwa Village
    Thangappuwa is a quaint village at the edge of the Knuckles Range. Known for its friendly locals and lush surroundings, it serves as the perfect base for starting your trek. You’ll pass tea estates, paddy fields, and small streams as you begin your ascent.


  2. Rangala Waterfall

    • Height: Approximately 50 meters
    • Features: A stunning cascade surrounded by dense greenery and rocky outcrops, Rangala Waterfall is a hidden gem. The base of the waterfall is perfect for resting and enjoying the misty spray after your trek.
    • Accessibility: The trek to the waterfall is moderately challenging, with rocky and occasionally slippery paths.

  3. Scenic Beauty Along the Trail
    The route offers breathtaking views of rolling hills, forest canopies, and the iconic Knuckles peaks. Wildflowers and endemic plants are abundant, making the trail vibrant and colorful.

  4. Cultural Immersion
    Passing through remote villages like Meemure or Corbett’s Gap offers glimpses of traditional Sri Lankan life. Many trekkers take the opportunity to interact with locals and learn about their customs.

Key Details for Trekking

  • Trail Length: Approximately 8-10 km round trip, depending on the chosen path.
  • Difficulty: Moderate. Suitable for beginners with basic fitness levels, though some steep inclines may require effort.
  • Time Required: 4-6 hours, including breaks and time spent at the waterfall.
  • Guides: Highly recommended to hire a local guide for navigation and to ensure safety.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal period for trekking is from February to August, avoiding the rainy season when trails can become slippery and water levels may rise.

Tips for Trekkers

  • Wear: Sturdy hiking boots and light, moisture-wicking clothing.
  • Carry: Ample water, snacks, a raincoat, and insect repellent.


  • Safety: Avoid swimming in the waterfall basin during the monsoon or if currents are strong.

How to Get There

  • From Kandy: Take a bus or drive to Thangappuwa, approximately 1.5-2 hours away.
  • From Colombo: A 4-5 hour journey by car or bus, with stops for scenic views and refreshments.

Responsible Trekking

This area is part of the Knuckles Conservation Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be mindful of the environment:

  • Do not litter or damage plants.
  • Stay on designated trails to avoid disturbing wildlife.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
Ancient Ruins & Sacred City of Anuradhapura This remarkable city of Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s most sacred town and has some of the most extensive ruins in the world. This city served as a great monastic centre. It remained residence and royal capital for over 100 successive Sinhalese Kings for around 1500 years from the 4th century BC to the 8th century AD, after which it was abandoned and the capital moved to Polonnaruwa. Anuradhapura has eight main places of veneration, known as “atamasthana”. They are;                                                             Sri Maha Bodhi The Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest historical...
Read more
Image
Irrigation systems of ancient Sri Lanka 1 Man made lake for 1 sq Kilometer in the dry zone Irrigation systems of ancient Sri Lanka consist of a large number of village reservoirs to gigantic reservoirs and a intrinsic network of water canals connecting these tanks while supplying water to farming land. There about 30,000 reservoirs in Sri Lanka of which the majority was built form 3rd century BC to 12th century. This compared to the Sri Lankan dry zone land area of about 40,000 sq. kilometers (where almost all the tanks are located), is almost equivalent to one reservoir for each sq. kilometer. The first large reservoir to be built in recorded history is   Abaya Wewa   in 3rd century BC. From that day onwards Sri Lankan tank builders developed a remarkable expertise on controlling large bodies of water which allowed them to built massive reservoirs which no other civilization ever could have dreamt of. The breakthrough which made the Sri La...
Read more
Image
                     Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage                                 Time Table When you are visiting the orphanage time table  is very important because then you can watch the Elephant procession to the river, see them bath and bottle feed baby Elephants without spending too much time at the sanctuary. This is the time table last time I visited but it is subject to change T IME ACTIVITY 08.30 AM Opening time, Visitors can start entering 09.15 AM Bottle feeding baby Elephants 10.00 AM Going to the River 12.00 AM Herd returns to the orphanage, the larger ones are fed 01.15 PM The baby elephants are bottle fed again 02.00 PM The herd again leaves for the river 04.00 PM Herd returns from the river 05.0...
Read more