Explore Hiking Adventures in Haputale

Cloaked in mist

Explore Haputale

A lively hilltown in the highlands

Perched at the southern edge of the Hill Country, Haputale clings to a long, narrow mountain ridge with the land falling away steeply on both sides. On a clear day you can view the south coast from this ridge, and at night the Hambantota lighthouse glows on the horizon. On a not - so - clear day, great swaths of mist cling to these hillsides.

Like most hill country towns, Haputale is developing rapidly. However, there’s still many things to do in Haputale; whilst on The Pekoe trail you will get to experience parts of the urban sprawl along with scenic views of the mountainous countryside peppered with tea fields.

Stages of The Pekoe Trail accessible from Haputale

Stage 10
Stage 11
Stage 12
Stage 13
Stage 14

Attractions to explore along The Trail

Experience the very best of these unique attractions along the trail. Visit scenic train stations, colonial - era bungalows, churches and fantastic viewpoints in the heart of Sri Lanka’s central highlands.

Adisham Bungalow (St Benedict’s Monastery)

With its sprawling lawns, blossoming gardens and views of the misty and undulating mountain terrain of Haputale, Adisham stands as testimony to a bygone era of the British tea planters. The Adisham

Idalgashinna train station

A small, colonial - era railway station known to be one of the most scenic stations in Sri Lanka. A cave hidden beneath the railway station is believed to be linked to Ravana mythology.

St. Andrew’s Church

St. Andrew's Church, built by British planters, sits on a small hillock with striking blue walls that contrast against the verdant green tea bushes of the area.

Lipton’s Seat

A panoramic viewpoint located on the Dambatenne tea estate, one of the first tea plantations acquired by Thomas Lipton.

Top Attractions in Haputale

Experience the very best of these unique attractions in Haputale. Go off the beaten path exploring waterfalls, forested sanctuaries and panoramic viewpoints with jaw dropping vistas of tea fields.

Lipton’s Seat

A panoramic viewpoint located on the Dambatenne tea estate, one of the first tea plantations acquired by Thomas Lipton. While this viewpoint is notorious for mist, clear days offer the walker some of the best views in the central highlands, sometimes as far as the harbour on the South Coast harbour of the island.

Bambarakanda falls

Falling 240 metres over a rocky precipice, the remote Bambarakanda Falls is the highest in Sri Lanka. March and April are the best months for viewing the falls.

Thangamale sanctuary

A lesser - known forest popularly known as the Thangamale bird sanctuary. The forest is home to an array of highland birds such as the endemic yellow - eared bulbul and Ceylon white - eye, as well as smaller animals such as lizards, porcupines, deer, and monkeys.

Lake Richmond

A small human - made lake between the Thotalagala and Pitarathmale Tea Estates in Lipton’s Valley that provides the estate community with water for domestic and agricultural use.

Immersive experiences in Haputale

Experience the very best of what Haputale has to offer. Take a tea factory tour, visit colourful temples or hike through a wildlife sanctuary.

Visit to Thangamale sanctuary

Take an easy - to - moderate walk through the Thangamale sanctuary, a lesser - known forest famous for sightings of endemic highland birds.

Tea factory tours

Get a taste of true Ceylon tea by taking a tea factory tour in the central highlands. Visit a tea plantation, learn the history of how tea is cultivated, tour the inside of a factory, and observe 19th century machines wither, roll and dry high-grown tea, ending with a hot cuppa.

Trek to Thotalagala mini worlds end

A lesser - known viewpoint located close to the famous Eagle rock. Walk past tea plantations to reach jaw-dropping views of the Haputale and Beragala valley from the edge of a dramatic cliff face.

Visit to Haputale Hindu temple

A colourful small hindu temple located on the side of the main road amongst Haputale’s famous tea plantations.

Other cities to Visit

Explore these charming hill country towns and cities which The Pekoe Trail passes through.

Kandy

Famed for sacred Buddhist sites like the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Embekke Devalaya, Gadaladeniya Viharaya and more, this bustling city is also well - known for its botanical gardens which is home to some of the rarest flora and fauna in the island.

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Hatton

Often referred to as the tea capital of the hill country, Hatton is a busy city with lots to see and experience. Get your hiking boots ready to explore the tea estates, waterfalls and colonial bungalows in this city.

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Ella

A hip hill town that’s not to be missed on your visit to the hill country. Spend your day hiking in forested areas surrounding the town and then head out for a night in town to wind down and enjoy the nightlife.

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Nuwara Eliya

Often referred to as “Little England” of Sri Lanka, this charming hill town exudes colonial charm with well-manicured golf courses, colonial architecture, high teas and delicately flavored teas.

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