Mountain biking is a great way to roam around the country in a way that is both more environmentally friendly, and extremely beneficial healthwise. The best part about Sri Lanka is that you can reach any place within the island in 24 hours. This means that mountain bikers can cover a large amount of distance in a short amount of time, and visit a significant number of places within one ride.
Sri Lanka also has a plethora of geographically diverse places, giving you many options to choose from. There are plains for the beginners, and then the central highlands for those who prefer a bit more of a challenge.
Anything you should know
It’s best not to do this activity in rainy weather, so avoiding the monsoon rains would be your best option; meaning that the period from December to March is when you should plan your trip.
If you’re in Nuwara Eliya and don’t have a mountain bike, there are some places that rent out bikes for around 1000 rupees for a day; such as Alpine Lodge, and Single Tree. It is also suggested that you bring a tool kit along with you, as there aren’t many bike shops around the area. If you’re going through a hotel, they may provide these for you as well.
Sri Lanka may be small, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get lost. Having a guide with you would definitely be helpful as they could show you all the best trails to take, and ensure that you get to see everything you wanted.
Mountain biking is mainly done in the central highlands, so given below are some trails that are usually taken by tourists.
The trails
The first trail is the most well known trail that’s followed in Sri Lanka would start off in the Kandy; a town that is enriched with Sri Lankan culture. This then leads over the Hantana mountain range, to Pusselawa, and then ends at a popular colonial hill station in Nuwara Eliya. Throughout this journey, you will mainly pass by paddy cultivations, tea plantations, hills, and have great views of stretches of land from a higher point.
The trail from Nuwara Eliya to Horton plains is also worth taking. Horton plains is a UNESCO world heritage site, and is known for its biodiversity and seemingly endless fauna and flora, some of which are endemic. This would be ideal for any plant, or bird enthusiast; as you can expect to see a lot of different species on the way, and even more when you get to Horton plains.
There are tracks connecting tea plantations to factories throughout the entire hill country. These tracks are also open to you. For example; you can ride through the tea plantations, say hello to the workers, and then find yourself at the Damro Labookelli Tea Factory. This allows you to take a little break with a cup of tea before continuing on the track.
Ella is also a popular destination because of the great views it has. Along the trail you can expect to see lots of tea plantations, waterfalls, mountain ranges, and other types of fauna and flora. This will also grant you the opportunity to visit the Nine Arches Bridge; a popular attraction where people wait for the train to pass by.
For wildlife, places like Anamuduwa and Habarana are ideal. Anamuduwa is situated in Puttalam, and holds the temple at Paramakanda rock; which holds murals that seem to combine both Buddhism and Hinduism. If you’re going through this trail, visiting this temple would be worth it as it really emphasizes on the fact that Sri Lanka is a multi religious country.
Habarana is a regular starting point; which is in close proximity to both Sigiriya, and Pidurangala. This trail is one that goes through a lot of villages, giving you the chance to catch a glimpse of the rural life as you pass through. The scenery is also packed with plantations, where you will also see the tree houses and huts in which the farmers stay in to protect their crops; their main source of income. This is nothing like the city, and is quite the serene path.
Get the rustic experience of exploring the hill country of Sri Lanka with the exhilaration of being on a bike. You’ll really feel like a free bird who’s made its connection with nature, especially since you’ll be saving money on gas.
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