Udaweriya to Haputale
19.68 km · Difficult · 6 hours · Badulla district
Stage 12 is one of the two longest stages on the trail - 19.68 km with nearly 1,500 m of climbing and 1,834 m of descent across remote valleys, rainforest, pine plantation, and the southern railway ridge. It finishes at Haputale, a hub town with reliable transport and lodgings.
What you’ll walk through
The trail descends from Udaweriya Peak through abandoned tea villages and rainforest, climbs to the railway ridge near Idalgashinna, and traces the line south past Adisham Bungalow toward Haputale. The southern views from the ridge over Sri Lanka’s lowlands are the trail’s widest panoramas.
Landmarks on this stage
- Udaweriya Peak - High point at the stage start.
- Idalgashinna Railway Station - A working colonial station on the Badulla line.
- Idalgashinna Cave - Small cave system above the railway.
- Beragala - Village on the descent.
- Adisham Bungalow - Catholic monastery and former planter's residence - open to visitors.
- Devil's Seat - A rock outcrop with full lowland panorama.
- Thangamale Sanctuary - Wildlife sanctuary the trail skirts.
- Haputale - Stage finish - full town facilities.
When to walk
Dry Season is essential - the long mileage and railway-ridge exposure make this a tough day in any weather, but rain on the descent is hazardous.
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. You can also walk it with a guide as part of our five-day Haputale to Ella section, Stages 12 to 16.
Walk Stage 12 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.
Book the Full Trek Plan a Custom Route