Remember the best time to see the World’s End viewpoint is before 10 am. So depending on your time and stamina, you can choose left or right on the path. We recommend you take the left, so you could enjoy the viewpoint points before the clouds and mist takes over the sky.
Rising from 2,100m to 2,300m (6,900 to 7,500ft) above sea level is Horton Plains national park, managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Due to its rich biodiversity, it’s very popular with tourists and is one of Sri Lanka’s most protected national parks being a UNESCO World Heritage Serial Property. It’s a popular place to visit from the old colonial hill resort town of Nuwara Eliya.
Unlike in most of the other National parks in Sri Lanka, visitors to Hortain Plains are allowed to walk along an 8km designated trail inside the park which takes about two to two-and-a-half hours. The walk itself is not challenging at all, it is not like hiking to Adam’s peak.
Read: The Season to climb Adam’s Peak
Nevertheless, Horton Plains offers amazing hikes amongst the shadows of Sri Lanka’s second and third highest mountains; Kirigalpotta (2395m) and Totapola (2359m), each of which rear up from the edges of the plateau.
The ‘plains form a plateau that rises and falls over 2,000m, covered by wild grasslands interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls and misty lakes.
Horton Plains are the headwaters for three major Sri Lankan rivers, the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe. Horton Plains has three campaign sites which could be booked at Wildlife Department in Battaramulla.
The weather
The weather at the plains varies considerably during the course of the day with temperatures as high as 15 degrees centigrade during the day and dipping as low as 5 degrees centigrade in the evenings and at night with thick mist formation and regular rainfall throughout the year.
Places to stay close to Horton Plains, Sri Lanka
Best time to visit
January to March and go as early as possible in the morning. Between 6.30 am and 10 am is the best time to visit Horton Plains in Sri Lanka, before the clouds roll in.
Getting there
It’s quite difficult to get to Horton Plains independently as it’s a long walk from the nearest accommodation. There aren’t any Tuk Tuks so you’ll have to hire a vehicle. It takes roughly one hour to reach the ticketing entrance. If you arrive early, you may spot samba deer. Their numbers have increased in the last years.
The nearest railway stations are Patipola and Ohiya. Most tourists journey there while holidaying in the closest towns: Nuwara Elia, Welimada and Haputale.
The Entrance
Close to the entrance, there’s a canteen which provides freshly made local snacks and serves tea and coffee by the cup. There are well maintained clean toilets at a cost of Rs20. If you want toilet tissues you need to ask the attendant on the spot. There aren’t any shops and toilets inside the park.
Don’t take any disposable or food items
Before you enter the park your bags are well checked for polythene, plastic, torches and knives. Every disposable water bottle you take inside the park is counted and your identification document is taken and kept in a safe to be retrieved when you return and prove you still have those disposable water bottles. Failing that, there’s fine of Rs25,000.
If you want to avoid this hassle carry water in a non-disposable bottle and take no food. The authorities get upset with anything that could possibly pollute the park. They aren’t fussy about personal cameras, electronics and video gadgets.
No, you can’t bathe in any of the streams
Horton Plains has one of Sri Lanka’s best ice-cold water streams and it could be very tempting to take a dip. But sadly bathing there is not allowed. To satisfy yourself you can wash your face and hands.
Horton plains trail
The trail itself is very easy, it can be done with close to no physical effort. When you begin, you will have a choice of two directions- right and left. The trail is circular, so actually, it doesn’t really matter which one you choose.
Remember the best time to see the World’s End viewpoint is before 10 am. So depending on your time and stamina, you can choose left or right on the path. We recommend you take the left, so you could enjoy the viewpoint points before the clouds and mist takes over the sky.
1. Mini World’s End
Mini World’s End journey starts again through the forest. From Mini World’s End, the return trail is a broad dirt track. In the first 1km from the Mini World’s end, there are several sections where the trail has been quite badly washed away making it somewhat difficult to walk. After this initial rough section of the trail, the conditions underfoot will improve. In another 500m, the trail comes out from the forest and reaches the plain again opening to the Main Worlds End viewpoint in Horton Plains.
2. World’s End, the main viewpoint
The plateau’s sudden end is famously known as ‘World’s End’, a stunning near 880m or 2700 ft drop to an Estate named Nonpareil.
The vertical drop to the tea plantations on the valley floor below makes the buildings look like toys. Green hills frame the distant reservoirs If it is clear, you will be able to see all the way to Adam’s peak.
3. Baker’s Falls
This is the third stop you’ll find and it’s quite easy to miss as it’s not on the main trekking path. Look out for the signs. You’ll have to take a small detour to get here.
Even though Baker’s Falls is not one of the tallest waterfalls (20 metres or 66 ft) it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls flowing from the Belihul Oya water streams. The Waterfall gets its name from a famous explorer, Sir Samuel Baker.
You can’t get close to the waterfall and have a bath, and that’s not allowed. But there’s a viewing gallery with sitting facilities.
Take care of your personal belongings as they could fall through the gaps of the deck. Hunting for lost items below it is not fun. We lost our camera lens cap.
The loopback via Baker’s Falls can be a little difficult and steep at times and you’ll start bumping into a few more people. It will take you another 20-minutes walk till you reach the path down to Baker’s Falls.
4. The Chimney Pool
This is the last stop you’ll come to. Pretty chilled place. If you did take the right from the entrance you can’t afford to spend much time here.
During our hike, we experienced dramatic changes in weather as clouds rose from the plains and valleys below. In minutes it can go from thick mist to sunshine
There’s a museum on the way out that is worth a brief visit. It’s got facts about the park’s history and a few badly preserved stuffed animals. It’s a bit of a laugh but quite interesting.
Is Hiking to World’s End Worth It?
Whether visiting World’s End Horton Plains is worth it really depends on your prior experience of hiking (it’s not much of a challenge) and your love of nature and biodiversity. If that’s not your scene it could get pretty boring. Avoid school and public holidays and weekends as it could get crowded.
Staying close to Horton Plains Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Holiday Guru Tips
- Be prepared for changing the weather
- Carry enough water. There are no shops inside the park.
- If you’re carrying plastic be sure to bring it back else there’s a fine of Rs25,000
- The trek is suitable for older children.
- Early morning (between 6 am and 10 am) is the best time to visit before the clouds roll in.
- Light, comfortable clothing, a raincoat as it sometimes rains, a jumper as it can get cold at the summit, and a cap to keep your ears warm. Wear trousers and a sweater in the evening and early mornings. We recommend wearing sturdy walking or trekking shoes.
- You’ll need a vehicle to go there.
