Kirigalpotta: Hiking Sri Lanka's Highest Open Summit
about 14 km round trip · Challenging · Nuwara Eliya District · Central Province
Kirigalpotta is the second-highest mountain in Sri Lanka at 2,388 m, and because Pidurutalagala is a military zone, it is the highest summit the public can walk to. A single trail of about 7 km each way crosses the Horton Plains grassland and cloud forest to the top. It sees far fewer walkers than World's End in the same park.
Lo que va a aprender
The route starts on the Horton Plains plateau and heads across open montane grassland before climbing through cloud forest to the summit. At about 14 km there and back at altitude, it is a long day, and the plateau clouds over quickly after late morning. Check with the park office that the trail is open before you set off.
A long walk at altitude. Carry water, rain layers and warm clothing, and confirm the trail is open before starting.
Access & permits
Inside Horton Plains National Park, run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC). A park ticket is required and is bought at the park entrance. We do not print the fee here because we could not confirm the current figure from the DWC itself; check dwc.gov.lk or ask us before you go.
On the map
Pin 1 is Kirigalpotta. The others are the nearest places in our trail directory.
- Kirigalpotta: Summit, 2,388 m, reached from Horton Plains.
- Las cataratas de Baker: On the Horton Plains loop. About 3 km away.
- World's End, Horton Plains: Trail guide: the Horton Plains loop. About 4 km away.
- Thotupola Kanda: Summit, 2,357 m, near the Pattipola entrance. About 7 km away.
Principales puntos de referencia y características
- Horton Plains grassland - The open montane plateau you cross on the approach.
- Cloud forest - Stunted, moss-hung forest on the upper slopes.
- Thotupola Kanda - The neighbouring peak, visible from the route.
- Summit - 2,388 m, the second-highest point in Sri Lanka.
Cuándo ir
Start early: mist builds on the plateau from late morning. The drier months are the better bet for views.
Recent trail reports on AllTrails (external site; reviews are written by AllTrails users, not Hike Lanka).
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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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