Yahangala is a very popular hiking destination in Sri Lanka. It is more popular among local travelers than foreign tourists. Some call this mountain “Bed Rock.” It is another peak of the Knuckles Mountain Range, with a height of 1220m above sea level. The place belongs to the Udadumbara Divisional Sectarian Area of Kandy District. This is an awesome place for those who love to do hiking, trekking, adventure activities, and camping.
Location
As we mentioned earlier, Yahangala is situated on the eastern side of the Kandy district. It is on the southeastern side of the Knuckles Mountain Range. Udadumbara is the nearest town. There are a few routes to reach the location. We recommend you use the Udadumbara-Kalugala Route. Some of them reach this location from Hasalaka and Madakale villages. But it is a tough route to use.
If you choose the Udadumbara-Kalugala route, then you should first come to the small town of Udadumbara. The distance to Udadumbara from Kandy is 45km. Then you should follow the Kaluagala route. According to Google Maps, the distance to Kalugala from Kandy is 58km. There is a public transportation bus available to Kalugala every hour from Udadumbara.
You should drop out when the bus comes to the last stop. Now, you should walk about 1 km further into the village. Then, you will reach the footpath leading toward the Yahangala. The notice boards will direct you to choose the correct path.
Along the Forest
The villagers are very friendly in their communication. If you have trouble finding the correct route, then the villagers will definitely help you. Initially, the footpath runs along a small forest. An hour’s trek will take you to an open area.
Now you can clearly see the Yahangala Mountain that has appeared in front of you. It is a place where most of the hikers do their camping. The scenery is absolutely fabulous, and you can identify Kehelpathdoruwa Mountain from a distance.
Now you have to follow two routes, either to Yahangala or Kehelpathdoruwa. A hike to both locations is not possible in one day. You need to separate two days for the entire trip.
Yahangala Hike
If you choose the Yahangala Hike first, then you can follow the clear footpath to the mountain. You should cover another small forest area to start the hard hike. Locals believe the location belongs to the god ‘Gale Bandara’. Therefore, they start the journey after remembering and taking blessings from the gods.
This is not an easy hike for anyone. It is hard, and you have to pass through some difficult areas. Large boulders are everywhere. Two adventurous places that cannot be crossed without a proper guide are It is extremely difficult to find the correct route for newcomers. 1-2 hours of hard hiking will take you to the top of the mountain. This hike is much more dangerous in the rainy season or on rainy days.
Yahangala Guides
If you are planning to do the Yahangala Hike with a guide, then we recommend SL Traveler. They are very friendly and help you with all your troubles. You can contact them at these mobile numbers:
072 6088091 (Dinuka Dhananjaya)
The Summit of the Yahangala
The 360-degree view from the summit is absolutely gorgeous. You will definitely feel amazed. It is a flat area with a few acres. There were no trees on top of the mountain. But the grass has covered the whole area. Due to the heavy lightning, broken stones can be found everywhere.
Here are the locations that you can easily identify from here: Mahiyangana, Sorabora, Hasalaka, Rathkinda Tank, Bibile, Dehiattakandiya, Wasgamuwa, Maha Oya, Girandurukotte, 18 Bends, Madakale, Udagaldebokka, Udaththawa, Welangolla Plains, Udadumbara, Kalugala, Poppitiya, Nawanagala, and Deanston.
Apart from that, you can identify these mountains from the summit: Kehelpathdoruwa, Lakegala, Dumbanagala, Gerandigala, Nawanagala, Dothalugala, Koboneelagala, Galpadihela, Kokagala, and Knuckles 5 Peaks.
Udagaldebokka, Medakale, Udaththawa, and Uda Iluka are some of the rural villages that are situated near the Yahangala Mountain.
Kehelpathdoruwa
This is a mountain in the shape of Everest in Nepal. That has given the name ‘Little Everest’ to the Kehelpathdoruwa Mountain. The summit of this is 1485m above sea level. The route to Kehelpathdoruwa from Yahangala is another amazing experience. It is along the mana bushes, and there is no clear footpath to find. After a few kilometers of walking, you can reach the summit. The view from the top of this mountain is more gorgeous than Yahangala. The view towards Welangolla Plains and Mahiyangana is fantastic. It is a great place for photographers to take some mind-blowing photos. Thunhisgala is another popular mountain that you can observe from Kehelpothdoruwa.
Wellangolla Plains
This is a plain that is situated just below the Yahangala. It covers a large area. Lakegala is another mountain that is situated in the Wellangolla Plains. You can see savanna-type conditions on these plains. There are some single trees everywhere. Mana Trees cover the entire area. However, this is a paradise for wild elephants. It has been recorded that more than 15 wild elephants roam the whole area. These elephants are not very tall when compared with other Asian elephants. You can cross these plains if you start your journey from the Medakale Village or Hasalaka Area.
Climate and weather
The area receives approximately 2500mm of average annual rainfall. October through February is considered the rainy season in Udadumbara and surrounding areas. The main source of rainfall is the North-East monsoon. However, there is a clear dry season from May to September. The wind speed is much higher in May and June. These climate effects have created savannah-type forests in Yahangala and surrounding areas. People face many difficulties during the dry season.
The average annual temperature is between 19°C and 23°C. You will feel very cold after you reach the summits of both of these mountains. December and January are much cooler than other months. You can experience sudden changes in weather in Kehelpothdoruwa. The fog will cover you at any stage of the day. As well, you can experience heavy lightning before the rain.
Camping on Yahangala
Camping on Yahangala Mountain is a dangerous activity, and we don’t recommend it. The reason for that is heavy lightning, and high wind, and some believe it’s related to the mountains. Anyhow, there is a separate location in the plain for camping. You can also go camping in Kehelpathdoruwa. But we do not recommend it further. Camping during the dry season is dangerous due to the risk of fire and high wind speeds.
You should be very careful about wild elephants at night. We recommend you light a bed fire throughout the night. Elephants are afraid of fire, and they will not reach for you. Water is another factor that you should consider when camping. There is no water source in the surrounding areas. Therefore, you should bring enough water for a day.
Beliefs and myths
The name “Bed Rock” has come for a reason. People believe the ‘Great King of Ravana’ was laid down in the Yahangala. According to the epic tale of Ramayanaya, King Ravana lost the battle against King Rama. Then the dead body of King Ravana was hidden in the Yahangala. The area is considered the battlefield of that war. Lakegala and Rathna Ella are some of the other places that combine with The Tale of Ravana.
The god ‘Gale Bandara’ is a local god. People believe God lives on the Yahangala. Therefore, they respect the mountain and start hiking after worshipping the god. They also believe that God punishes those who come with alcohol, regardless of where they are.
Villagers have heard some sounds around this area. Some have seen lights in the middle of the night. Therefore, they consider this a wonderful and respectable place.
Factors to Consider:
- It’s really difficult to cover both Yahangala and Kehelpathdoruwa within a day. If you start very early, then you can cover those two areas.
- Don’t forget to bring enough water. There is no water source in the area.
- Rainy days are much harder for hiking. Therefore, be careful about the weather.
- Be concerned about the wild elephants.
- Start the hike after worshiping the god. Do all the things with good intention and devotion. We do not recommend using alcohol for the whole journey.
- Bring leech protection in the rainy season.
- Don’t argue with the villagers and show respect to them.
- It’s better if you can go with a guide.