Hiking Trails and Wildlife Encounters in Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Hiking Trails and Wildlife Encounters in Sinharaja Forest Reserve

If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable hiking experience in Sri Lanka, you should definitely visit the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. This is the largest and most important lowland rainforest in the country, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot. It is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including many endemic and endangered species. In this blog, we will explore some of the best hiking trails and wildlife encounters in Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve covers an area of about 11,187 hectares and is located in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. It is bordered by two rivers, the Koskulana Ganga in the north and the Gin Ganga in the south. The forest reserve has a complex topography, with elevations ranging from 200 to 1170 meters above sea level. The climate is humid and wet, with an average annual rainfall of about 3614 mm⁴.

The best way to explore the Sinharaja Forest Reserve is by hiking along its network of trails. There are several entry points to the forest reserve, such as Kudawa, Pitadeniya, Morning Side, and Lankagama. You can choose from different trails depending on your fitness level, time availability, and interests. Some of the most popular trails are:

  • Kudawa Conservation Center to Sinhagala Peak: This is a moderate trail that takes about 4 hours to complete. It starts from the Kudawa Conservation Center, where you can get a guide and pay the entrance fee. The trail passes through dense forest, streams, and waterfalls, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The Sinhagala Peak is the highest point in the forest reserve at 1170 meters above sea level³.
  • Pitadeniya Conservation Center to Moulawella Peak: This is an easy trail that takes about 2 hours to complete. It starts from the Pitadeniya Conservation Center, where you can get a guide and pay the entrance fee. The trail passes through open grasslands, bamboo groves, and forest patches, and offers panoramic views of the forest reserve. The Moulawella Peak is one of the most scenic spots in the forest reserve at 760 meters above sea level³.
  • Morning Side Trail: This is a challenging trail that takes about 6 hours to complete. It starts from the Morning Side Bungalow, which is located on the eastern boundary of the forest reserve. The trail passes through montane forest, cloud forest, and grasslands, and offers spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset. The trail also leads to several waterfalls, such as Pathan Oya Falls and Duwili Ella Falls³.
  • Lankagama Trail: This is a moderate trail that takes about 3 hours to complete. It starts from the Lankagama Village, which is located on the southern boundary of the forest reserve. The trail passes through mixed forest, riverine forest, and wetlands, and offers diverse wildlife sightings. The trail also leads to several attractions, such as Brahmana Ella Falls, Gal Oruwa Ella Falls, Thattu Ella Falls, and Neluwa Dola Bridge³.

One of the main attractions of hiking in Sinharaja Forest Reserve is the wildlife encounters. The forest reserve hosts over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, and plants⁴. Some of the most notable wildlife species that you can spot in Sinharaja Forest Reserve are:

  • Sri Lankan Leopard: This is the largest predator in Sri Lanka and one of the most elusive animals in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. It is estimated that there are only about 10 to 15 leopards living in the forest reserve⁴. They are mostly active at night and prefer to hunt deer, wild boar, monkeys, and rodents.
  • Purple-faced Langur: This is an endemic monkey that lives only in Sri Lanka’s wet zone forests. It is one of the most common mammals in Sinharaja Forest Reserve and can be seen in large troops⁴. They are mostly herbivorous and feed on leaves, fruits, flowers, and seeds.
  • Red-faced Malkoha: This is an endemic bird that belongs to the cuckoo family. It is one of the most colorful birds in Sinharaja Forest Reserve and can be recognized by its red face, blue eye-ring, green back, yellow belly, and long tail⁴. They are mostly insectivorous and feed on caterpillars, beetles
  • Green Pit Viper: This is an endemic snake that lives only in Sri Lanka’s wet zone forests. It is one of the most venomous snakes in Sinharaja Forest Reserve and can be identified by its green coloration, triangular head
  • Blue Magpie: This is an endemic bird that belongs to the crow family. It is one of the most beautiful birds in Sinharaja Forest Reserve and can be distinguished by its blue plumage
  • Giant Squirrel: This is an endemic rodent that lives only in Sri Lanka’s wet zone forests. It is one of the largest squirrels in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Source:
(1) 7 of the best hikes in Sri Lanka – Lonely Planet. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-hikes-in-sri-lanka
(2) Sinharaja Forest Reserve. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/405
(3) . https://bing.com/search?q=Sinharaja+Forest+Reserve+hiking+trails+wildlife
(4) Sinharaja Forest Reserve. https://www.sinharajaforestreserve.com/
(5) Sinharaja Rainforest Trail: 4 Reviews, Map – Gālla, Sri Lanka | AllTrails. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/sri-lanka/galla/sinharaja-rainforest-trail