"Stand At The Edge of The World's End!"
Horton Plains National Park Tourism
Horton Plains National Park, located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and iconic attractions. Spanning over 31 square kilometers, the park is characterized by rolling grasslands, misty forests, and breathtaking viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
One of the most iconic features of Horton Plains is World's End, a sheer cliff that drops 880 meters (2,890 feet) into the valley below, offering visitors a dizzying view of the plains and distant mountains. The viewpoint is especially popular at sunrise when the mist lifts to reveal the stunning scenery below. During the hike, a popular stop is the multi-tiered, 20-metre-tall Baker’s Waterfall, where you can swim during monsoon.
Horton Plains is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sambar deer, purple-faced langurs, wild boar, and many species of birds. Birdwatchers flock to Horton Plains to spot elusive species such as the Sri Lanka whistling thrush, yellow-eared bulbul, and Sri Lanka wood pigeon amidst the park's diverse habitats.
Horton Plains National Park offers several hiking trails that cater to different fitness levels and interests. The most popular trail is the circular route that takes visitors past World's End, Baker's Falls, and through scenic grasslands and forests. Due to its high elevation, Horton Plains National Park experiences cooler temperatures compared to the surrounding lowlands, and mist and fog are common, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
You are required to obtain a permit from the park entrance before entering, and guided tours are available. Overall, Horton Plains National Park offers a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for nature lovers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts, showcasing the stunning beauty and biodiversity of Sri Lanka's central highlands.
Things to do in Horton Plains National Park
1. World's End
2. Gommolli Kanda
3. Ohiya
4. Bambarakanda Falls
5. Belihuloya
6. Baker's Falls
Must Know Before You Travel to Horton Plains National Park
Entrance Fees:
- Foreign Nationals: INR 1150 per person for a day, INR 2090 for overnight visit
- Sri Lanka Nationals: INR 30 per person for a day, INR 60 for overnight visit
- Vehicle Parking: INR 500
- If coming from Ella or Nuwara Eliya, leave early morning before sunrise. Tuk-tuks and taxis are easily available
- It is a 10km hiking loop. After 5mins of walking into the park entrance, you can either walk towards Mini World's End or towards Baker's Falls. The first part has little shade and is very open. The second part is through a forest. World's End is halfway across the loop. Read more about hiking trails and how to choose
- Reach World's End before or around 10 AM to enjoy the best view.
- The only washroom available is at the entrance. There is a small fees, so carry change
- An umbrella, raincoat or jumper
- Good walking or hiking shoes
- Sunglasses and cap
Horton Plains is a no-plastic, no-open-flames zone. Do not carry polyethylene bags, matchboxes, or cigarette lighters. The luggage is checked at the park entrance
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Hiking Trails at Horton Plains
- World's End Trail: This popular trail leads to the iconic World's End viewpoint, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding plains and mountains. The trail is relatively easy and suitable for all fitness levels, with a round-trip distance of approximately 9 kilometers.
- Baker's Falls Trail: This trail takes you through lush montane forests to Baker's Falls, a picturesque waterfall cascading over rocky ledges. The hike is moderate in difficulty, with a round-trip distance of about 7 kilometers.
- Kirigalpoththa Trail: For more adventurous hikers, the Kirigalpoththa Trail leads to the summit of Kirigalpoththa, the second-highest peak in Sri Lanka. The trail is challenging and requires a full-day hike, but the panoramic views from the summit are well worth the effort.
Geography of the Horton Plains
Flora at the Horton Plains National Park
Fauna at the Horton Plains National Park
History of Horton Plains
Horton Plains National Park was named after the British Governor of Ceylon, Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, when he travelled towards the region to meet the Ratemahatmaya of Sabaragamuwa in 1836.
The original name of the plateau was Maha Eliya Thenna which supposedly means ‘the hugely lightened ground’. This name has a back story to it. Sri Lanka is quite famous for its connected folk tales, which are quite often associated with the Hindu ‘Epic’ Ramayana. It is said that King Ravana kidnapped Sita, the wife of Rama, as revenge for cutting his sister, Suparnika’s nose. This act enraged Rama, and he led an army consisting of monkey-human like creatures. The army’s leader Hanuman then set fire to the Plains, also known as the ‘Lanka’ of Ravana, which lasted for a considerable period. This story explains the Plains’ original name and its meaning.
It is believed that still, an upper layer of soil remains of a greyish black colour. Stone tools dating back to the Balangoda culture have also been discovered in the area. According to the recommendation given by Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker that the British Government left the montane forest, which is elevated above 5000ft. This advice was immediately implemented, and Horton Plains was sanctioned as a wildlife sanctuary on 5 December 1969, and later in the year 1988 was promoted to a National Park. Horton Plains is quite dear to the local population with its deep-rooted biodiversity and vibrant culture
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What is the best time to visit Horton plains national park?
Horton Plains is a protected area and thus requires one to reach before the assigned timings for a magnificent view of the park and its lavish attractions. The climate is humid, and rainfall is almost throughout the year. However, the months from January to March is considered a favoured time to visit the place as those are the drier months within the region.
It is also essential that one should reach and visit the site early morning for two significant reasons. One is to dodge the crowds and enjoy a majestic view of the plains and second being that clouds cover the forests of Horton Plains, especially during the rainy season.
Thus, it is apt to visit the place during the drier months of the year. The annual temperature during the day is usually 20 degree Celsius with regards to its high elevation, which can drop even further during the night.
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