Kukulagala Mountain Hike in Rikillagaskada
Kukulagala is one of the most famous hiking destinations in the Sri Lankan local community. We have seen some of our Facebook friends share photos of this mountain, and that got us interested in the place. In this post, we will bring you valuable information about the mountain, including its location, route, climate, surrounding view, and hiking guide. So, we request that you read this blog post until the end.
So, let’s move into the Kukulagala Mountains.
Location
Kukulagala Mountain is situated on the border of the Kandy District and the Nuwara Eliya Districts. The highest point of the mountain is called ‘Diyathalawa’, with an elevation of 1531 meters above sea level. Its closest town is Rikillagaskada, which is a popular city known to most.
Here is the Google Maps location of this mountain:
How do I reach the place?
Before the hike, you must come to Rikillagaskada City first. There are three major routes to come to the Rikillagaskada.
- From Kandy via Hanguranketha
- From Randenigala via Adikarigama
- From Nuwara Eliya via Padiyapelella
If you are coming from Colombo, Kegalle, Kurunegala, or Matale, then you should first come to Kandy City. From there, you should drive to the Rikillagaskada via Thennekumbura and Hanguranketha.
If you are coming from the Mahiyangana, Ampara, Badulla, or Monaragala sides, then you should come to the Adikarigama through the Randenigala. From the Adikarigama, you can easily come to the Rikillagaskada, passing the Hanguranketha.
If you are from Nuwara Eliya, Ella, or Welimada, then you should come to Padiyapellela city first. From there, you can easily come to the Rikillagaskada.
Public transport is available to Rikillagaskda City from Kandy or Padiyapelella. Anyhow, it’s better if you can use your own vehicle for this lovely trip.
From Rikillagaskada to Hike Starting Point
In the Rikillagaskada, you have two options to reach Kukulagala Mountain. But in this post, we only bring you information about the most common route, which is used by most. That is the Dimbulkumbura route. For that, you should turn left in the Rikillagaskada and drive towards Dimbulkumbura.
On the way, you will meet Kondathenna Junction. On there, you should turn left again to the Wilpassa Village. If you are going there in your own vehicle, from now on you should park your vehicle.
Hike to Kukulagala Mountain
After parking in a safe place, you should start your trek on foot. If you are having trouble finding the correct path, then you can ask the villagers. For sure, they will help you with no trouble.
During the trekking, you will first meet Wilpassa, a small lake. It is not an ideal place for bathing. Now, you will enter the Cunawaththa Route near the lake. Here, you will enter a pine tree forest.
Trekking through the pine forest is not an easy task for anyone. It is a bit steep and rocky. You should be careful crossing the slippery slope there. You can also see two communication towers before the pine forest. You should trek toward those towers, and it is not very difficult because of the clear footpath.
Following the footpath, you will reach the first viewpoint of the Kukulagala Mountain Range. Before the viewpoint, you will pass a few forest-covered areas. The forest area is rich in biodiversity and is a habitat for many animals. You can sometimes see tusks, pigs, rodents, rabbits, butterflies, or deer.
We can say that this is not only a hike. You can also enjoy the outdoors. After reaching the first viewpoint, you will surely forget the tiredness because of its fantastic view.
What you can observe from the top of the Kukulagala
From the top of the mountain, you can clearly identify the fabulous view of the Randenigala Reservoir. Apart from that, you can see the villages in the Rikillgaskada area. Beyond the Reandenigala reservoir, you can see some of the peaks of the Knuckles mountain range from a distance. Anyhow, the 360-degree view of Kukulagala Mountain is absolutely fantastic. You can spend the whole day enjoying that view.
As we mentioned earlier, there are three major peaks in the Kukulagala Mountain Range. Its highest point is called ‘Diyathlawa Mountain’. There you can see a mark that was established by C. Erskin in 1910. He was a British surveyor who explored some of the peaks of the central province of Sri Lanka.
Climate and weather
November to February are considered the rainfall seasons for the Rikillagaskada area. Anyhow, you can expect sudden rainfalls during the other months of the year. Therefore, you must consider much about recent weather conditions before your planned dates. You will feel a much colder climate once you reach the top of the Kukulagala mountain range. Fog or misty weather can be expected during the rainy days. As well, you should note that it’s really difficult to hike during rainy days.
Other Facts About the Kukulagala Mountain
You can complete the entire hike within 3–4 hours, according to the capabilities of your team. There are a few myths and tales about how the name ‘Kukulagala’ came. Most of them believe that the mountain looks like a chicken. Somebody believes the name came because the cock came and cried. However, nobody knows how the exact name came. If you are interested in that, then you can ask the villagers about that fact.
Things to consider before the hike.
- Start hiking early. There, you can drop back before the evening.
- Be prepared for the rain and sudden fog.
- Leeches can be found during the rainy days. So, you must bring leech protection.
- Don’t disturb the plants and wildlife. Complete your journey by only keeping your foot signs.
- There are no water resources on top. So, don’t forget to bring enough water.
- It’s better if you can take selfie sticks, a good camera, and a Go Pro with you.
- Be careful while crossing the pine forest and the steep areas.
- Don’t pollute the environment by throwing polythene and plastic. Bring all the things that you are carrying.
So, thank you very much for reading this blog post until the end. We wish you all the best on your Kukulagala journey. If you think this guide is helpful to others, then don’t forget to share it on your social media channels.