Galaha to Loolkandura
14.70 km · Difficult · 5 hours · Kandy district
Stage 2 climbs to Loolecondera Tea Estate, where James Taylor planted Ceylon’s first commercial tea bushes in 1867. It is rated Difficult by the trail authority - 853 m of elevation gain across 14.7 km, with steep mountain traverses and a long pine-forest passage. This is the day that establishes whether you have brought the right boots.
What you’ll walk through
The stage is divided into two distinct sections. The first half climbs estate roads out of Galaha through a pine forest known for leeches in the wet months. The second half traces the ridge between Hulan Elle Rock and Konda Gala, then drops to James Taylor’s Cottage and the Loolkandura Tea Factory at 1,402 m - the highest point of the day.
Landmarks on this stage
- Galaha Sri Muththumariamman Kovil - A Hindu temple at the trailhead.
- Deltota Group Hindu Kovil - On the climb out of the valley.
- Suduwella Temple - A small Buddhist temple in the mid-stage forest.
- James Taylor's Seat - A rock outcrop where the founder of Ceylon tea is said to have rested between plantings.
- James Taylor's Cottage - The preserved (and accessible) home of the planter who started the Ceylon tea industry in 1867.
- Loolecondera Tea Estate - The first commercial tea estate in Ceylon.
- Loolkandura Tea Factory - A still-working factory at the stage finish.
When to walk
The pine forest section is leechy from May through November. The Dry Season (January-March) is the most comfortable window. Avoid walking in heavy rain - the steep traverses on Hulan Elle Rock get slippery.
Walk it with Hike Lanka
You can pick this stage as a day hike, link it with the adjacent stages as a section trek of three to seven days, or walk the entire 22-stage end-to-end trek with our small-group fourteen-day guided expedition. We handle lodging, permits, transport, and the on-the-ground logistics; you walk.
Walk Stage 02 with us
Pick this stage as part of a custom section trek, or join the full end-to-end Pekoe Trek. A real guide responds to every enquiry.
Browse every Sri Lanka hiking tour we run, from Kandy day hikes and the Knuckles traverse to the full 22-stage Pekoe traverse.
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