Loonuwatte to Udapussellawa
13.63 km · Moderate · 4 hours 30 minutes · Nuwara Eliya district
Stage 20 climbs steadily through eucalyptus and pine into the Uda Pussellawa tea district, passing the mythologically significant Sthripura Caves at the 4.5 km mark - the cave system tied to the Ramayana story of Sita’s captivity.
What you’ll walk through
Eucalyptus and pine plantations on the lower climb, transitioning to tea estates higher up. The Sthripura Caves at 4.5 km are an optional detour worth taking. Steep village climbs in the final section before the gentle descent into Uda Pussellawa village.
Landmarks on this stage
- Sri Wisuddharamaya Temple - Buddhist temple at the trailhead village.
- Luckyland Estate - Working tea estate on the climb.
- Sthripura Caves - Cave system tied to the Ramayana - said to be where Sita was held captive.
- Kiriyagolla Kovil - Hindu temple mid-stage.
- Small Tea Holders Tea Estate - A smallholder cooperative.
- Uda Pussellawa - Stage-end village.
When to walk
Year-round. The cave detour is dryer in Dry Season but accessible most of the year. Pine forest section is leechy in monsoon.
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 20 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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