At the summit of the mountain, 2,238 meters above sea level, sits a 1.8 meter rock. The large hole in the rock is believed to be the footprint of Buddha by Buddhists, Shiva by Hindus, Adam by Muslims, and St. Thomas by Christians. Mecca that attracts people of all religions and nationalities. We will introduce recommended routes and ways to enjoy the mountain, from the summit to the descent.
Interview cooperation and photo provided by: Sri Lankan restaurant Karapincha
Locals wear sandals. The route to the summit of the sacred mountain takes 3 hours.
The road to the town at the foot of Sri Pada
There are two routes to the top of Sri Pada: one from the town of Nallathanniya in the north of the mountain, and one from the town of Ratnapura in the south. The former is more popular, and although the gradient is steeper, it takes about three hours to reach the top. The latter is a hard route in terms of both gradient and distance, and even for those who are used to climbing, it takes about six and a half hours to reach the top.
Sri Pada seen from Nallathaniya on the northern route
This time, we will introduce the northern route, the route going up from the Nallathanniya side. From Bandaranayake International Airport, the gateway to Sri Lanka, you can take a train or a bus to the nearest Hatton Station. We recommend the railway route that runs through the tea plantations from Kandy Station. As you board the train and are captivated by the vast nature, you will eventually arrive at Hatton Station. From there, you can take a small bus to Nallathanniya.
To see the sunrise, you have to climb the mountain in the middle of the night. Although it depends on the climbing season, the sunrise time is around 6:00 a.m. It is best to leave the base of Sri Pada at around 2:00 a.m. with some time to spare. Therefore, make sure to book a lodging near the climbing route in advance.
A mountain trail illuminated by moonlight. A magical midnight walk through Sri Pada
Climbing route
Sri Pada is a holy mountain where people of all ages and genders come to pray. In fact, the elderly and children climb the mountain while singing as they do their best. Even though it is the middle of the night, there are lights on the path to the summit, so you can walk safely. Also, a full moon night is recommended for climbing the mountain. The moonlight illuminates the whole area, creating a fantastic mood. It is so bright that you may not need any lighting equipment.
A gate waiting at the entrance to the hiking trail
Most of the way up is made up of stairs, making it easy to climb, and you will often see locals climbing in sandals. However, as the mountain path is over 2,000m above sea level, it is best to prepare comfortable walking shoes before embarking on the climb.
Almost the entire path is made up of stairs, with a total of 7,364 steps!
One thing to be aware of when climbing at night is the cold. It's chilly even at the base of the mountain, but you'll still sweat while climbing. As you gain altitude near the summit, the temperature drops even further, and the sweat you've worked up while climbing will cool your body. At the very least, you'll want to bring along some easy-to-carry winter clothing, a spare T-shirt, and a towel to wipe away sweat. If you don't have these, they're available for purchase at the kade (shop) at the base of the mountain.
A kadee (shop) at the foot of the mountain. The uniquely designed clothes are lively.
There are many small shops along the way.
The shops along the trail stock a fair amount of food and drinks that will give you a quick replenishment of nutrients, such as the Sri Lankan dish kadala (boiled chickpeas), bananas, bottled water, and juice. As you walk, you may also see porters carrying heavy loads on their heads as they hustle their way up the mountain path. Be careful on weekends and full moon days, as there can be too many people and traffic jams. On weekdays, the climb is relatively smooth.
A spectacular view from a power spot that continues to attract repeat pilgrims
Sri Pada summit
As we approach the summit, the mountain becomes bustling with worshippers who have come to watch the sunrise. The sky begins to brighten and the clear air envelops our bodies. We continue walking and finally reach the summit.
A temple on the mountaintop where a large footprint is enshrined. Photography is prohibited inside the building.
At the summit is a hole in the rock that is believed to be a large footprint. Sri Pada means "sacred footprint" in Sanskrit, and it is this footprint that attracts people's faith and makes Sri Pada a sacred mountain. There are different legends depending on the sect, but what is certain is that this mountain and this hole have the power to attract people.
Adam's Peak and the surrounding area were designated a World Heritage Site in 2010 as the "Central Highlands of Sri Lanka," and the number of visitors has increased more than ever before. You can see people starting the climb early to secure a good spot to see the sunrise. At the summit, pilgrims gather in a very small space, so it can be difficult to move around, so be careful. And finally, it's time for the sunrise.
Sunrise from Sri Pada
Cheers erupt from the crowd who have been waiting for this moment.
People praying, people joining their hands together as they face the rising sun. This moment when people face the sun, regardless of religion, makes you realize that this is not a tourist spot, but a holy place. It's no wonder that there are so many tourists who come back here to make repeat visits, as well as pilgrims.
A route down the mountain where you can enjoy beautiful mountains and shops
Descent route
A bell near a temple. Pilgrims line up to ring it.
Then it's time to descend. After watching the sunrise, it's completely light outside and you can enjoy the early morning Sri Pada. When descending, be aware that there are two exits to the temple at the top of the mountain. As with the route up, it takes about three hours to descend towards Hatton, but the route down towards Ratnapura is much longer and takes about six hours. If you take a wrong turn, you'll have to go back to the summit to get back on the other route, so be careful not to take the wrong exit from the temple when descending.
The sign reads "Hatan Para (Hatton Road)". The exit leading down to Nallathanniya.
It says "Ratnapura Pala (Ratnapura Road)". This is the exit leading down to Ratnapura in the opposite direction from Nallathaniya.
On the way down, beautiful mountains spread out before your eyes.
In stark contrast to the night climb, the descent route bathed in the strong morning sunshine has a refreshing atmosphere. On the descent route, there is a booth from Sri Lankan Ayurvedic products company "Siddhalepa", where you can experience foot and head massages. Why not try it to relieve the stiff muscles from climbing? In addition, various shops are open from early in the morning.
There are many shops selling dodol sweets on the way down the mountain. They have a firm texture and a very sweet taste, similar to Sri Lankan yokan.
Looking back at Sri Pada after descending the mountain
Looking back at the path you have walked so far, Sri Pada is a special sight. There are many other sacred sites scattered throughout Sri Lanka. The 200-meter-high rock mountain "Sigiriya Rock" and areas such as "Anuradhapura" and "Kandy", where Buddhist cultural ruins are concentrated, are also located in central Sri Lanka, so it is recommended to visit them together with Sri Pada.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
