Today is 11th December, International Mountains Day to promote awareness for mountain communities around the globe. The southern central area of the teardrop-shaped elongated island, Sri Lanka is mountainous with enchanting scenery. 

The central mountain region rises to 2,000m or more above sea level is surrounded by a plain, rising above the sea level up to about 300m. It is characterized by residual isolated mountains and rocks such as Ritigala Mountain, Ethugala (Elephant Rock), Sigiriya (Lion Rock), Ibbagala (Tortoise Rock). 

“World’s End” in the Horton Plains, which marks the edge of the southern mountain wall, has the most developed escarpment. You can see a dramatic drop of 1,312m from “Worlds End” and a fantastic view of the surrounding hills and mountain ranges wreathed in mist and clouds. 

Mountain Biodiversity of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s mountains are some of the most striking and beautiful landscapes in the country. These mountains are preserved as forests and are the starting points of many rivers and over 100 striking waterfalls. The mountain biodiversity in Sri Lanka is a mix of cultivated tea plantations together with wet zone and dry zone forests and house a great diversity of species of flora and fauna.

Sri Lanka’s mountain ecosystems are host to higher and greater richness in terms of species and levels of endemism than the adjacent lowlands. The mountains at lower altitudes support exceptional biodiversity, due to the compression of a wide range of ecosystems into a relatively short distance. This is especially true in Sri Lanka as the mountains provide islands of suitable habitat, isolated from unfavourable surrounding lowlands.

The mountains rise to a maximum of 2,500 meters above sea level and contain approximately 220 square kilometres of a tropical montane cloud forest. And its ecosystem in Sri Lanka is home to several birds and mammals although none are endemic to the region. Freshwater fishes are a speciality in the mountain regions of Sri Lanka, with nearly 100 species found in the clear cold streams and rocky pools that dot the landscape.

There are three major mountain ranges that can be identified in Sri Lanka. They are: 

1. Central Highlands 

The hill country packs cover an area of 20% of the entire island. This area serves as the major catchment area for 90% of the rivers in Sri Lanka. This area is also nominated as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Knuckles mountain range

This is a unique forest reserve with rich biodiversity. It is adorned by some 30 summits and many waterfalls.

3. Rakwana mountain range

The smallest mountain range of the island is located in the southwestern region of Sri Lanka. These are smaller and lesser-explored peaks. 

Pidurutalagala Mountain Range

A 2,524-meter-high mountain is located near Nuwara Eliya town. At this height, it stands out as the tallest point in the country, and ranks as an “Ultra prominent peak”. It is the home of a special forest, which shows high mountain forest features and is always enveloped in mist. Because of the prevailing high wind and mist, flora in this region is unique. It is generally stunted and twisted and leans with the wind. 41 plant families, 112 plant species, 30 amphibians, 5 birds, 6 butterflies, 10 mammalians and 3 reptilian species are also found in the Pidurutalagala mountain range. 

This mountain is restricted for hiking purposes. But the summit can be reached by vehicle after obtaining permission. It will take you through some exciting and anxious moments because you will go through some beautiful scenery and at the summit superb panorama of the surrounding hills and plantations, which one won't forget.

Kirigalpoththa Mountain

The second highest mountain in the country with a height of 2,395 meters, located near Horton Planes in the southern part of the Nuwara Eliya district. This is the highest peak in Sri Lanka that can be climbed. Hike to Kirigalpoththa is a fantastic journey through Horton Plains National Park.

The mountain gets its name because of the mist, which blends with the sunshine and gives the summit a white appearance like milk (in Sinhala, milk is called “Kiri”). The plant community on this mountain also has high mountain forest features because of high winds, rainy weather and continuous mist. Pigmy trees are most common in this region where their branches are twisted and adorned with bryophytes. The mammalian species like the leopard and samba, reptile species such as lizards and endemic bird species like the Sri Lanka Dull-blue Flycatcher and the Sri Lanka Yellow-eared Bulbul are to be found on this mountain.

Knuckles Mountain Range

The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka northeast of the city of Kandy. This mountain range was earlier referred to as “Dumbara Kanduvetiya” with the meaning of mist-laden mountain range in the Sinhala language. Due to the recumbent folds like peaks in the west of this massif which resembles the knuckles of a clenched fist, the British colonist referred to it as Knuckles. The highest mountain in the range is recorded at a height of 1,862m. The knuckles mountain range is characterized by its breathtaking landscapes. The climatic microcosm of the Knuckles mountain range is different from the rest of the island because all the climatic zones in the country are exhibited in this massif. 

Namunukula Mountain Range

The Namunukula mountain range is in the Badulla district in Uva province. Its main peak is 2,035 meters high. The name “Namunukula” means "Nine Peaks". It is situated in the midst of tea plantations and is one of the best mountains in Sri Lanka for an eco-adventure. From its summit, you can see the flat plane of the eastern forests that include Udawalawe and Yala. 

Gongala Mountain 

Situated in the Rakwana mountain range Gongala is a great place for an eco-experience of Sinharaja. From the western side, you can see the Sinharaja rain forest. On the northern and eastern sides, you can see Rakwana and Balangoda area and Udawalawe forest. The view from the south side is most spectacular, while the view from the summit towards Matara in the south is breathtaking.

Seven Maidens Mountain Range

This is a mountain range isolated in the Nuwara Eliya district near the Laxapana waterfall; the highest mountain in the range is Ballapennagala at 1,276 meters. The mountain range, the majority of which has a rocky surface, is covered with a tropical mountain forest. “Sri Pada” or Adams peak, the only mountain in the world where four major religions come together and worship, is situated southwest of this mountain range.

65 plant families, including 155 genera and 256 species can be found in this range where 6 of them are rare and 148 are endemic to the country; 8 mammalians, 12 reptilian, 30 bird, 9 amphibian and 1 butterfly species have been identified in this mountain range. 

Ritigala Mountain

This is an isolated mountain in the plain, situated 40 km south-east of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province Ritigala is a steep jungle-clad mountain rising over 2,500 feet above the surrounding plains. The summit of the mountain is a distinct mini plateau on which is found a distinct pocket of vegetation, different from the surrounding areas. There are several endemic herbal and medicinal plants atop Ritigala and although the lower half of the mountain is a popular attraction due to the ruins of an ancient monastery with its rock pools and rock meditation chambers the upper half is a protected sanctuary where visitors are not allowed.

Sri Lanka is a country with a beautiful mountain environment famous among the people of the world. If you are interested to climb mountains in Sri Lanka, we FantAsia tours are quite prepared to assist you. 

Let’s start the Happy Climbing with FantAsia Tours!

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