Riverston is situated in Matale, and has a hike that will lead you up to another one of Sri Lanka’s “Mini World’s ends”. The area is only well known by the locals, but not by the tourists; making it untouched. The path is incredibly scenic, starting from the windy road going up, to the actual 300 m drop at the top.
Anything you should know
The road leading to the climb is quite narrow, and has some hairpin turns; so taking large vehicles is not advisable, but trishaws are freely available for the trip.
The climb takes around 2-3 hours, which is considerably short, but it does follow a tough route. So you would have to be moderately fit to climb it.
The best time to go would be early in the morning, so as to avoid the mist, and avoiding weekends would be ideal, as that is when the climb is most crowded.
The climate can get quite cold, so wear warm, comfortable clothing, as well as a pair of sturdy shoes. Bring enough water, and sun protection along with you; as during the day it can get quite sunny.
There is minimal signage along the route, considering the fact that it’s not too well known, but guides are available if you want to ensure that you get the best path to the top.
On your way
The path takes you through forest cover on a trail of nothing but dirt, rock, and root. You will also pass by paddy fields and farmlands where you can see some of the locals at work.
Going early in the morning will increase your chances of seeing the exotic birds that roam around the area; such as a variety of Flycatchers, and the Crested Serpent Eagle.
The best part about this track is that you pass 2 waterfalls; Bambarakiri ella, and Sera ella; where you can enjoy the cool spray of the water while you sit on some perfectly placed rocks. After that, you can even take a dip in the fresh waters of the Thelgamu River.
At the summit
This is the perfect place to capture some panoramic photos, so feel free to spend as much time here as you want before you are ready to head back down.
After your hike, and little detours on the way, you’ll arrive at the top to a breathtaking view. A few things you’d see would be Knuckles range, the Thelgamu Oya river valley, and a stretch of forest cover and paddy fields. A view like this really does feel like a great reward for minimal effort.
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