Year and Month | 2018 September 20th |
Number of Days | One |
Crew | 05-Ashan, Chamara, Sampath, Amila and Myself |
Accommodation | Not Applicable |
Transport | Jeep and Hiking |
Activities | Hiking, Sightseeing and Photography |
Weather | Excellent |
Route | Colombo->Ududumbara-> Bopana->Idamegedara-> Neluwekanda-> Amukanatemuduna->Calhiriyakanda->Dewahandiya->Bopana->Ududumbara->Colombo |
Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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Author | Niroshan |
Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
After extensive exploration of Hegasulla and Padupola plains we gave attention to the range on the other side of Randenigala dam. As I mentioned in my Padupola report, villagers at Ududumbara call the mountain touches Randenigala dam as Randenigala (රන්දෙණිගල) and one on the other side (Padupola side) is called as Kanamee Gala (කණමී ගල). So this time I wanted to reach Randenigala Mountain by walking over hills of the range.
Luckily Ashan also had the same idea of exploration of this range and he joined with me. (Hope he might come in a better report). After map reading we decided to enter VRR (Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe Reserve) from Idamegedara (ඉඩමේගෙදර). Our plan was to walk over hills to reach Randenigala at the end of the day.
It was a scenic journey as this range is situated at center of other mountain ranges. The day we hiked was superb and even distance mountains were clear.
Amila and myself came to Hunnasgiriya by bus in early morning and slept till others arrive. We had to turn at Ududumbara towards Bopana to get our start.
![]() Crew-Sampath (left), Ashan, Amila and Chamara |
![]() View from A26 road- Other end of VRR |
![]() Downhill paddies |
![]() Kukulagala |
![]() The range we are going to explore today. We started from left end and continued towards Randenigala reservoir. |
![]() Zoomed view of the area we are going to explore |
After having breakfast from Ududumbara we turned to Bopana road. We were guided by Google map and followed Idamegedara road till we reached our starting point. We have passed the elephant fence and reached the edge of the range.
This mountain range is situated right in front of Padupola plains and Kanamee Gala, on the other side of Randenigala dam. Rajagala range and Galpadihela range is situated on either side of this range.
Metric map shows four different peaks in this range:
1. Neluwekanda/නෙළුවේකන්ද (1000m+)
2. Amukanatemuduna /අමුකනතේමුදුන (1100m+)
3. Calhiriyakanda / කල්හිරියකන්ද (1000m+)
4. Waddandamana /වැද්දන්දමාන Kanda (857m). This Waddandamana Kanda is called as Randenigala by locals. Seems all other names are restricted to metric map, not in usage.
![]() Geography of the area. Click image to enlarge. Star-Starting point. Three peaks are circled and arrow shows our descend to Dewahandiya area. We didn’t go further down as we were exhausted. Weddandamana is not seen in this map. |
![]() Waddandamana Kanda / Randenigala and Randenigala / Kanamee Gala in metric map. |
![]() How things are in Goggle map. Star shows the starting point. |
It was a simple hike from one peak to the other with ascends and descends in open area.
There was a superb view towards Knuckles area. Piduruthalagala range with towers and Kukulagala were seen in one end. Madamahanuwara Kanda, Nawenagala, Dothalugala, Rajagala range, Koboneelagala, Dumbanagala, Sphinix-2, Aliyawatunawala, Alugal Lena Kanda, Kehelpothdoruwegala and Velangolla Pathana were identified. Hetakatuwegala, Galpadihela, Ambagolla Kanda, Kokagala and Rathkinda Ulhitiya Kanda were seen in our left side.
![]() Preparing… |
![]() Entering to VRR |
![]() Crossing elephant fence… |
![]() Starting point… |
![]() Piduruthalagala range and Piduruthalagala with towers |
![]() Middle peak is Kodibendihena. It is the end of Rajagala range |
![]() Nawenagala and Dothalugala |
![]() Zoomed view of Nawenagala |
![]() Madamahanuwara Kanda (left) with Nawenagala (right) |
![]() Acute ascend… |
![]() Peaks of Knuckles massif: Aliyawatunawala, Sphinix-2, Knuckles five peaks and Alugal Lena Kanda |
![]() Alu Gal Lena kanda (left) and Dumbanagala (right) |
![]() Eastern edge of Knuckles range-Velangolla Pathana |
![]() Kokagala |
![]() Champions |
![]() A rocket |
![]() Galpadihela range |
![]() Rajagala range-Madamahanuwara Kanda (right end) and Kodibendihena (left end) |
![]() Zoomed view of Madamahanuwara Kanda |
![]() Paddies at Pitawala area |
![]() Most probably this might be Neluwekanda |
![]() On top of Neluwekanda. A large part of Knuckles range is seen with Aliyakotagala. |
![]() This mountain is situated at other side of Idamegedara. But not marked in metric map. |
![]() |
It was a walking at open area for a certain distance after passing Neluwekanda. Randenigala reservoir and other peaks of VRR-Hegasulla, Padupola plains and Korahana area were clearly visible now. It was bit difficult as sun was directly aiming us at grassy area. Later we came across a Pinus patch over hills where we had a long rest following direct exposure to sun light.
![]() Paddies |
![]() Hikers on top of Neluwekanda |
![]() Neluwekanda. Now we have passed it. |
![]() Randenigala reservoir was seen for first time. |
![]() Rest of the range we had to cover. Note there are no large trees to get a rest. |
![]() Rathkinda Ulhitiya Kanda (Unakirigala) with Rathkinda Ulhitiya reservoir. Dimbulagala is seen with less clearance. |
![]() Ambagolla Kanda/ Belumgala |
![]() Rocky part we had to cross |
![]() කබල්ලෑ පොතු |
![]() When we looked back, Knuckles range and the hills we passed |
![]() Over boulders |
![]() The gang |
![]() There were only few trees on our way |
![]() Eagles |
![]() A pointed peak |
![]() This must be wild life department site |
![]() Zoomed view of the lake |
![]() Other end of Galpadihela range |
It was a surprise to see leeches under wet condition at Pinus patch with surrounding extreme hot. Our next section was full of Guava (පේර) trees. We had enough Guava to fill our thirsty as well as hungry. There was an area with rows of stones most probably a sign of an old village situated at VRR. A dry lake was also noted closer to this village. We could find a fairly clear path starting from this area over hills. (This is shown in Google map as well). Next destination was Amukanatemuduna (1100+) where a flag was raised. It indicates surrounding villagers regularly visit this place.
![]() Reaching the Pinus patch. Great relief … |
![]() Having a long rest under the shades of Pinus |
![]() Posing… |
![]() Pinus patch. Some leeches survived in this Pinus patch |
![]() The area with number of Guava trees |
![]() There are a lot |
![]() It is full of Guava trees |
![]() Good for thirsty |
![]() Clear foot path |
![]() Pinus seeds |
![]() |
![]() Another break. Be aware of tics when you lie on grasses |
Amukanatemuduna has a nice flat area with grasses. It is a good place for camping as having a superb view. Only problem is no nearby water source.
![]() Reaching Amukanatemuduna |
![]() On top of Amukanatemuduna. Note the flag someone has raised there. |
![]() View from Amukanatemuduna. The Neluwekanda and Pinus patch we have passed. |
![]() View towards the Knuckles range |
![]() Dry paddies |
![]() View of Randenigala reservoir |
![]() Dewahandiya area |
![]() Team |
![]() On top of Amukanatemuduna. |
![]() On top of Amukanatemuduna. |
![]() The flag at Amukanatemuduna |
![]() Checking the pic |
![]() View of Randenigala reservoir |
![]() View of Randenigala reservoir |
![]() Galpadihela range |
![]() Loggal Oya |
![]() This is a nice place for camping |
![]() Known area-Kanamee Gala, Padupola plains, Korahana area and Hegasulla |
![]() The bridge over Uma Oya |
![]() Narangala |
At end of Amukanatemuduna, we went down along short Mana patch. With another ascend through heavily grown Mana, we have reached other peak called Calhiriyakanda. It was bit difficult to reach there due to Mana and as we were exhausted following walk about 11kms. Next marked point was Waddandamana (856m), so called Randenigala by locals. We had a superb view towards Randenigala reservoir as well as Rantambe and other side of VRR from Calhiriyakanda. As we were tired to go further, gave up the idea of reaching Randenigala / Waddandamana and started to descend guided by Google map. We were able to reach Dewahandiya (දේවහන්දිය) village at the end of the day to wind up the journey. This also needed some extra energy as steepness was more.
![]() Towards other peak-Calhiriyakanda |
![]() Calhiriyakanda (1000m+) is the middle one |
![]() Dambarawa Lake |
![]() We are closer to Randenigala reservoir |
![]() Descend through Mana |
![]() Calhiriyakanda is in front of us |
![]() Kehelella Valley |
![]() Here we didn’t go over the hill, followed the foot path was on side of the hill |
![]() Landscape |
![]() Passing Mana area, heading to Calhiriyakanda |
![]() On top of Calhiriyakanda |
![]() Exhausted after walking about 11km |
![]() It’s Randenigala reservoir |
![]() View from Calhiriyakanda. Hope this labelling would helpful to understand structures of the area. Randenigala dam is built in between Kanamee Gala and Weddandamana. |
![]() Uma Oya and Rantambe reservoir |
![]() Strip T shirt team on Clahiriyakanda |
![]() Namunukula (left) Lunubissa (middle) |
![]() Getting down |
![]() Last shot of the day |
Total distance we walked /hiked here is more than 11km. After reaching Dewahandiya Ashan had extra activities to reach Idamegedara by three wheel to get back to his jeep. This Calhiriyakanda is called as Malketiya by villagers and they have their own names for these hills and Pathana.
Thanks for reading