Knuckles Mountain Range

The Knuckles Mountain Range — named by British surveyors because its peaks resemble the knuckles of a clenched fist — rises north-east of Kandy. It is one of the wildest areas of Sri Lanka: cloud forest, montane grassland, terraced paddy fields and remote villages, with dozens of endemic species. Protected as part of the UNESCO Central Highlands World Heritage Site, it offers the best trekking on the island, from easy viewpoint walks to multi-day hikes.

Popular hikes

• Pitawala Pathana and Mini World's End — an easy walk across grassland to a dramatic cliff edge, near Riverston. Good half-day option.
• Knuckles peak trails from Deanston — forest trails with viewpoints on the southern side of the range.
• Meemure and Lakegala — a trek to the remote village of Meemure and the steep Lakegala rock above it, usually with an overnight homestay.
• Multi-day traverses — combining forest, grassland and villages, sleeping in homestays or camps.

Practical tips

• Hike with a local guide. Trails are poorly marked, weather changes quickly and mist can roll in within minutes. Guides can also arrange the conservation-area permits.
• Leeches are common, especially after rain — wear leech socks.
• Bring layers and a rain jacket; it can be cold and windy at altitude.
• Start early to make the most of clear mornings.

When to visit

January to April is driest. June to September is also generally good on the eastern side, which is sheltered from the south-west monsoon. October to December brings heavy rain.

Getting there

The range is about 1–2.5 hours by road from Kandy, depending on which side you approach from. Roads are narrow and winding; to reach Meemure you need a sturdy vehicle.