Located in the southwest of the island, the Sinharaja mountain range is the second largest in Sri Lanka. 270 meters above sea level at its lowest point in the forest. Hinipitigala, the highest peak, is 1171 meters high. On the eastern flanks of this mountain range, in the region of Suriyakanda, also referred to as Sinharaja’s “Morning Side,” tea and pepper grow abundantly in this region.
The region that receives the majority of Sri Lanka’s monsoon rainfall is located exactly downwind of the monsoon, halfway between the country’s southwest coastline and highlands. Rainfall each year exceeds 3000 mm and may even surpass 6000 mm.
And for good reason—Sinharaja is known as Sri Lanka’s best example of a virgin rain forest. The largest and best-preserved tropical rain forest in the island nation is the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. It encompasses the mountain range’s western half. The forest reserve is only 21 km long and 7 km wide, so it cannot be considered a vast tropical jungle. However, it was designated a World Heritage Site in 1988 because of its biodiversity and abundance of endemic species.
“Sinharaja Rain Forest”
The majority of the tree species in Sinharaja are endemic, with many of them being rare. There are 211 species of woody trees and lianas known to exist in the reserve, 139 of which are endemic. High endemism is also likely to be present in lower plants, such as epiphytes and ferns.
There is no greater birdlife in Sri Lanka than that of Sinharaja. Twenty of Sri Lanka’s 26 endemic bird species can be found in the forest reserve because Sinharaja blends two different vegetation zones: highlands and wet lowlands. Sinharaja is home to none of the six endemic bird species of Sri Lanka that are restricted to dry zone areas.
The butterflies of Sinharaja Rain Forest are also well-known. The reserve is home to 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species.
A national park is not what Sinharaja is. It is not admitted by the Wildlife Department, but rather by the Forest Department. Foreign visitors will benefit from this as it will result in cheaper entry fees.
If you can visit Sinharaja during the local dry season, it’s the best place in Sri Lanka for hiking or trekking, aside from Knuckles Range and Horton Plains. You can take several days to explore all of the routes because they are different. Numerous waterfalls can be found near the southern edge of the Sinharaja range, and most trekking trails lead to peaks where you can take in pleasant views.
Beginning at the Kudawa Conservation Centre, which is close to the northern gate (the road that leads from the Ratnapura side of Weddagala), the four main natural trails pass by the Sinharaja Adventure Resort, the Birds Paradise Hotel, and Yoho Kudawa Bungalow.
Moulawella Peak, also spelled “Mulawella,” is the most well-liked trail for hiking excursions over the weekend. The Moulawella Trail is approximately 8 km long and leads to a viewpoint at 760 meters above sea level. In the same vicinity, the Wathurawa Trail offers a 2.5 km shorter hike.
The 6-kilometer Nawada Tree Trail leads south to the tree bearing the same name. The Giant Nawada Tree (Shorea stipularis), also called Yodha Nawanda Gasa in Sinhala, is 43 meters tall and 6.3 meters wide. The species, which is native to Sri Lanka, is a member of the diverse Dipterocarpaceae family of lowland rainforest trees that are found throughout tropical regions of the world.
The longest and possibly most picturesque trail is 14 km long and leads to Sinharaja in a southwest direction. It requires a full day of hiking. Situated in the heart of Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sinhagala, also known as “Lion Rock,” is a 742 m high peak featuring steep slopes and a rock surface. It’s the ideal viewpoint. The two most beautiful rainforest hikes in Sinharaja are the Sinhagala Trail and the Moulawella Trail.
A shorter trail leads from Pitadeniya Conservation Centre, located at the road from Pallegama (Galle side, near Eco Lodge Sinharaja), in the very south of Sinharaja Forest Reserve, to Sinhagala.
The traditional waterfall hiking trails in Sinharaja, which lead to Pathan Oya Ella and Kakuna Ella (also known as Patane Oya Ella resp. Kekuna Ella), begin at the Pitadeniya Ticket Office and Conservation Center. It is five kilometers in length. The 8 km hike will include a stop at Malmora Ella, another waterfall.
The “Five classic waterfalls” are a short 3 km to the west in the village of Lankagama, close to the Sinharaja Seyana Eco Lodge. To the west of the trail’s fork are Brahmana Ella, Thatu Ella, and Duwilli Ella waterfalls; to the north of the fork are Ura Wetuna Ella and Galdoruwa Ella waterfalls.
Trekking from Lankagama to Neluwa, southwest of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, takes more than 20 km (one way) in a full day.
Side trails lead off from the gravel track to waterfalls named Thapolena Ella 1 and 2, Kosmulla Duwili Ella, Thambalahama Duwili Ella, and Warukandeniya Ella.
There is a confusingly additional waterfall called Duwili Ella, but it is located far to the northeast, on the other side of the Sinharaja Rain Forest. A 15 km trail that runs from Morningside, close to Sooriyakanda, to Denuwakanda offers views of it.
Be advised that, unless it’s an exceptionally dry season, leech protection is necessary all year round. Every hike in Sinharaja would be a bloody ordeal without leech socks. Blue soap is only a supplement—it is not an adequate form of defense. Dettol and other chemicals are also not always dependable. Sexy leech socks are the only sufficiently safe. Tickets are available for purchase at the box office.
It is not recommended at all to visit Sinhara during the main monsoon season, which runs from June to September, as the paths are too muddy even in the few hours of sunshine, and all the animals and birds will be hidden.
