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Forested ridges and peaks of the Knuckles Mountain Range

Hill country

Knuckles Range

A wild, misty mountain range north-east of Kandy with cloud forest, grassland ridges, waterfalls and remote villages, best explored on foot with a local guide.

Plan a trip with Knuckles Range
Time to spend
1 to 2 nights
Best months
February to April and August to September. November to January is very wet on this side of the hills.
Getting around
A driver or your lodge. Treks need a licensed local guide.
Good to know
Leeches are common after rain, so wear long socks. Entry to the conservation forest is by permit, which guides arrange.

The Knuckles Range is named after the shape of its peaks, which look like the knuckles of a clenched fist from Kandy. It is part of the Central Highlands UNESCO World Heritage Site and much less visited than Horton Plains.

From the Riverston side, short walks lead to the Pitawala Pathana grassland and the Mini World's End drop, and to viewpoints over the lowlands. Longer guided treks cross the range to the remote village of Meemure.

Accommodation is in simple lodges, eco-camps and tea-estate bungalows. Roads are narrow and steep, so allow plenty of time to get here from Kandy or Matale.

What to see and do

  • Pitawala Pathana and Mini World's End

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    A short walk across a high grassland to the edge of a steep drop known as Mini World's End, with views over the lowlands on a clear day.

    1 hr · MorningLKR 930to confirm

    Reported at about LKR 930 for foreign visitors; confirm at the gate.

  • Guided trek in the Knuckles conservation forest

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    A half-day or full-day guided hike through cloud forest and grassland ridges, with waterfalls, endemic birds and lizards, and views from the peaks.

    6 hr · MorningLKR 1,000to confirm

    Forest entry reported at about LKR 1,000 per person; a licensed guide is required and is paid separately.

  • Riverston viewpoint and the Gap

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    A windy ridge with views over the forests of the Knuckles and down to Matale, reached by a short walk from the road.

    1 hr · MorningFree entry

Also consider

Worth the trip if you have time. The planner leaves these out unless you add them.

  • Sembuwatta Lake

    A man-made lake and swimming pool in a pine and tea estate on the Elkaduwa side of the range, popular with local visitors at weekends.

    1 hr 30 minAdd to a tripMaps

Nearby places to stay

Photos

Green slopes and rock faces in the Knuckles Mountain Range
Green slopes and rock faces in the Knuckles Mountain Range
The jagged peaks of the Knuckles range under a blue sky
The jagged peaks of the Knuckles range under a blue sky
Misty cloud forest in the Knuckles range
Misty cloud forest in the Knuckles range