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Horton Plains

Horton Plains National Park is a national park in the highlands of Sri Lanka. It lies about 20 kilometres south of Nuwara Eliya and 20 kilometres west of Haputale, 2000 metres above seat level among the second and third tallest mountains in Sri Lanka - Kirigalpotta and Totapola. The average temperature in this area is about 16 C. With high winds in the evening it can be quite chilly. The park covers 31.60 km², and is a mixture of highland forest and wet grassland. This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk on their own on the designated tracks.

You can reach Horton plains through Bandarawela or Nuwara Eliya which is about 1 ½ hour drive. It is also possible to take the train up to the Ohiya Station and walk up to the plains which may take about 3-4 hours. But remember this is a uphill climb. There is no accommodation at the plains except two lodges and three camping sites which you must book beforehand.

Sambar is the most common animal in the plains but wild boars and leopards too can be found in this area.

Once you reach Horton plains you can visit the worlds end which is a 4000 feet straight vertical drop. This is of course a 4 kilometre walk from the car park on a beautiful path. This drop can be covered with mist most of the time the and the best time to be up at the worlds end is towards the afternoon. On the way you can also see the bakers falls which is about 2.5 kilometres from the entrance .

Access

Horton Plains can be reached by any of the following routes:

• Via Nuwara Eliya, Ambewela, Pattipola (20 miles/32 km)
• Haputale or Welimada, Boralanda, Ohiya (24 miles/38km)
• Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala, Rendapola, Ambewela, Pattipola (24 miles/38 km).

Adventurous visitors can trek into the park along the Thalawakele-Agarapatana-Diyagama and the Belihul Oya-Nagarak trails.

Articles

• Horton Plains : Not just another name on the map - Sunday Observer - 3 September 2006
• Forest ‘die-back’ hits Horton Plains - The Island - March 31, 2007
  

Photo Gallery

On the way to Horten Plains from Bandarawela clouds at the eye level	On the way to Horten Plains from Bandarawela - clouds at the eye level	Most common animal on the plains - Sambar
Most common animal on the plains - Sambar	Most common animal on the plains - Sambar	Most common animal on the plains - Sambar
a herd of Sambar far away on the plains	On the way - two monkeys with thick blankets of fur	The route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side
The route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side
The route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The view on the route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side
The view on the route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The view on the route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side
The view on the route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The view on the route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The view on the route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side
The view on the route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The view on the route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side	The view on the route to Horten place from the Ohiya Side
The new ticketing office at the entrance to on Ohiya Route	Monkeys with thick fur

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