Adam's Peak (Sri Pada): A Guide to the Climb
about 10 km round trip (Hatton route) · Strenuous · Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya Districts
Adam's Peak, Sri Pada, is the most climbed mountain in Sri Lanka and one of its holiest places. At 2,243 m, its summit shrine holds the "sacred footprint" revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike, and every pilgrimage season thousands climb through the night to reach it for sunrise.
What you’ll walk through
Six routes lead to the summit. Most visitors take the Hatton route from Nallathanniya: the shortest and steepest, about 5 km each way and around 1,000 m of climbing, almost all of it on stone and concrete steps with handrails. The Ratnapura route via Palabaddala is much longer. In season the path is lit all night and lined with tea shops and rest stops; the Japan Peace Pagoda (1978) stands part of the way up. At dawn the peak throws a triangular shadow across the western plains.
The summit is very cold before dawn. Bring a warm layer for the wait for sunrise.
Access & permits
No permit is needed to climb. We could not confirm any official entry fee; donations collected on the route are not an official fee. The summit is an active shrine: dress modestly and remove shoes where asked.
On the map
Pin 1 is Adam's Peak. The others are the nearest places in our trail directory.
- Adam's Peak: Sri Pada, 2,243 m.
- Bopath Ella: The Bo-leaf falls at Kuruwita. About 14 km away.
- Aberdeen Falls: The 98 m falls near Ginigathena. About 15 km away.
- Galboda Falls: A 2 km walk from Galboda station. About 19 km away.
Key landmarks & features
- Nallathanniya - The trailhead village for the Hatton route.
- Japan Peace Pagoda - Built in 1978, part of the way up the Hatton route.
- Summit shrine - The Sri Pada, the sacred footprint, revered across four faiths.
- The shadow - The peak's triangular shadow falls across the plains at sunrise.
- River sources - The Kelani, Kalu and Walawe rivers all rise on the mountain.
When to go
Pilgrimage season runs from the December full moon (Unduvap Poya) to the May full moon (Vesak), and December to May is the best time to climb. Outside the season the lights and shops are closed and the weather is monsoonal. Poya days and weekends in season are extremely crowded.
Walk it with Hike Lanka
You can take this as a guided day trip, link it with nearby destinations into a multi-day trek, or build it into a custom Sri Lanka hiking itinerary. We handle transport, permits and the logistics; you walk.
Nearby in the directory
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