Hanthana Mountain Range: Kandy's Local Hike
Moderate · Kandy District · Central Province
Hanthana is the range of seven peaks you see from Kandy, rising behind the University of Peradeniya. The highest, Uura Kanda, is about 1,200 m. It is the city's home hike, and the first stage of the Pekoe Trail starts here.
What you’ll walk through
The ridges look over Kandy on one side and across to the Knuckles range on the other. Paths run through grassland and pine and eucalyptus plantation between the peaks. The range has been an Environmental Protection Area since 2010. Guides advise starting by 9 am and being off the ridge by 3 pm.
A protected area. Stay on the paths and leave nothing behind.
Access & permits
Environmental Protection Area (declared 2010 under the National Environment Act). We could not confirm whether walkers need a permit; ask us or the Forest Department before going. No fire, and take all rubbish out.
On the map
Pin 1 is Hanthana. The others are the nearest places in our trail directory.
- Hanthana: The range above the Ceylon Tea Museum, Kandy.
- Ambuluwawa: The tower above Gampola. About 15 km away.
- Alagalla: The range above Kadugannawa. About 18 km away.
- Sembuwatta Lake: The lake in the Elkaduwa estate. About 21 km away.
Key landmarks & features
- Uura Kanda - The highest of the seven peaks, about 1,200 m.
- University of Peradeniya - The campus at the foot of the range.
- Kandy view - The city and lake from the higher points.
- Knuckles view - The Knuckles range across the valley.
When to go
Start by 9 am, descend by 3 pm. Afternoon cloud and rain are common.
Recent trail reports on AllTrails (external site; reviews are written by AllTrails users, not Hike Lanka).
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. Hanthana is also the start of the Pekoe Trail, and it features on our Kandy day hikes.
Nearby in the directory
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