| Year and Month | 2016 September 16th and 17th |
| Number of Days | Two |
| Crew | 6-Chamara, Prabath, Kasun, Vinod, Prakash and my self |
| Accommodation | Camping at Wangedi kanda |
| Transport | By bus and climbing |
| Activities | Climbing, Photography and Camping |
| Weather | Excellent |
| Route | Colombo->Kalupahana (කළුපහන)->Wangedigala (වoගෙඩිගල)->Wangedikanda (වoගෙඩිකන්ද)->Balathoduwa (බලතුඩුව)->Gommolli Kanda (ගොම්මොල්ලි කන්ද)->Back along same route |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Related Resources |
Special thanks to Amal Madawa for your valuable information. |
| Author | Niroshan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
This was an awaiting trip for a long time and successfully completed due to rewarding weather and good team.
Balathuduwa-බලතුඩුව (2012m) and Gommolli Kanda-ගොම්මොල්ලි කන්ද (2034m) are 14th and 13th highest peaks of the Sri Lanka. These peaks can be nicely seen if you travel along Colombo-Badulla road at Pambahinna and Belihuloya area. Then Gommolli Kanda is seen beautifully in front of Great World’s end.
Wangedigala and Wangedi Kanda are situated at same line of previously mentioned giants. These two peaks provide beautiful surrounding view. Therefore it is popular among mountain climbers of Sri Lanka.
My initial plan was to do a day hike to these peaks but changed it at last moment as Saturday was free for me. Unfortunately we had a late start at 11.30am due to traffic jam at the beginning of long week end.
Five of us came from Colombo and Prabath joined with us at Kalupahana.
Our plan was to first climb Wangedigala from Bambarakanda side and then move to Wangedi Kanda and camp at base of Balathoduwa. Chamara has climbed from Bambarakanda side and I have been at Wangedi Kanda twice from Brampton estate side.
After completing the necessary stuff from Kalupahana we hired two three wheels to the entry point of the trail to Wangedigala. It is about 1km before Bambarakanda entry point. We had our late breakfast at the water stream and filled our bottles and bellies with water.
According to Chamara we have to get into pines plot to reach Wangedigala but there was no foot pathway to reach the pines plot from water stream and iron bridge. Therefore we creped through bushes about one hour to reach clear forest and then moved to Pines patch.
Someone has fired dry pines leaves on ground and it made the climb easier. It was a continuous ascend through Pines trees and we found the foot pathway later. We reached Wangedigala around 2pm.
 Wangedigala and Wangedi Kanda |
 Three peaks in line: Wangedi Kanda, Balathoduwa and Gommolli Kanda |
 Black arrow shows our trail head and yellow star shows Balathoduwa peak. Red star shows Gommolli Kanda. Click map to enlarge. |
 Team except me |
 Reaching the water stream where we had our late breakfast. |
 Famous suspension bridge… |
 Our first target…Wangedigala |
 Having a rest after creeping through bushes |
 Entering to Pines plot |
 Climb up through Pines patch |
 Having a break |
 Smiley face of Chamara |
 It was a continuous ascend till we reach Wangedigala |
 Second break where we had a windows view of Lanka Ella |
 Extremely dry highest waterfall of Sri Lanka |
 Enjoying the journey |
 Foot pathway |
 Pinus plot |
 Tired face |
 At back drop of Bambarakanda area |
 At the base of Wangedigala |
 Final ascent |
 On top of Wangedigala |
 On top of Wangedigala |
 The flag…. |
Wangedigala provides nice panoramic view towards Bambarakanda falls and Lanka Ella, Udaweriya, Hortain plains, Idalgashinna Mountain, Beragala and Haputhale area, Pambahinna, Samanala Wewa reservoir, Kuragala, southern plains, Adarakanda, Wangedi Kanda, Balathoduwa and Gommolli Kanda.
We had a quite long break there and moved towards next target-Wangedi Kanda.
 Colombo-Badulla road |
 Beragala Mountain |
 Idalgashinna Mountain-Most right peak |
 Kuragala and southern plains |
 Lanka Ella |
 View towards Bambarakanda, Idalgashinna, Beragala and Haputhale |
 Udaweriya tea factory |
 Wangedi Kanda in middle of Balathoduwa and Gommolli Kanda |
 Foot pathway and burned Mana |
 Coming from Wangedi Kanda |
We got the message about water source from a local guide. It is situated about 500m down along the foot pathway to Brampton estate. The mana in between Wangedi Gala and Wangedi Kanda has been fired. On our way we went there and filled some empty bottles with water. As it was around 6pm when we reached Wangedi Kanda, we decided to camp at side of it.
 Moving towards Wangedi Kanda |
 On the way to Wangedi Kanda |
 On the way to Wangedi Kanda |
 On the way to Wangedi Kanda |
 Moon set |
 Moon set |
 Evening sky over Wangedi Kanda |
 On the way to Wangedi Kanda |
 Peak of Wangedi Kanda |
 It is Balathoduwa and Gommolli Kanda |
The camp site at Wangedi Kanada was a nice place. There were scattered fire wood to set the camp fire but we cut a small pines tree as well. As this place is at the edge of Wangedi Kanda it is easily exposed to wind. We didn’t feel that much hungry as we had some snacks following the tea. Our tents were waved with wind on and off in the night making thoughts of to be in the valley somewhere down.
Chamara woke up us in early morning and we walked to the peak of Wangedi Kanda to enjoy sun rice. View from Wangedi Kanda was same as Wangedigala but higher level.
 Camp fire |
 Around the camp fire |
 Sun rise over Beragala and Haputhale side |
 Awaiting for sun rise |
 Towards Wangedigala |
 Enjoying the Sun rise |
 Samanala Wewa reservoir |
 Main targets of the day |
 On top of Wangedi kanda |
Day 02
This is the day of dreams come true. We prepared our breakfast and cleaned the camp site well. The weather was excellent and our main targets were slightly covered with mist. We started the journey around 8.15am.
The foot pathway continued away from Wangedi Kanda and it entered into bamboo forest. Initially the foot pathway was not much clear later it was remarkable. We always followed the cut marks on trees and bushes. After a sharp ascend through Pines patch we reached the camp site at base of Balathoduwa.
 It was like a heaven |
 Further continuation of Wangedi Kanda and our camp site |
 Closely placed our two tents |
 Preparing breakfast |
|
Camp site |
 Chef and breakfast |
 Cleaning the camp site is very important |
 Cleaning the camp site |
 Direction after Wangedi Kanda |
 Snaps before leave Wangedi Gala |
 The team before enter the forest |
 Survey department mark along the foot pathway |
 Walking through Bamboo…. |
 Having a rest… |
 Coming to a Pines patch |
 View of Balathoduwa and Gommolli Kanda through Pines patch |
 Enjoying the surrounding view |
 |
 Camp site at Balathoduwa base |
 Discussing where to turn…. |
Next stretch of climbing was again along the Bamboo forest. There was a clear foot pathway from here to Balathoduwa peak and it was around 1hour journey. After Bamboo forest it was an easy climb towards the peak with keeping an eye on the peak. On the way we have noticed a foot pathway to left hand side assumed it towards Adarakanda. We reached the peak around 11am.
The view from Balathoduwa peak was amazing. It provides 3600 view towards Gommolli Kanda, Hortain plains and World’s end (behind Gommolli Kanda), Bambarakanda, Haldummulla, Haputhale, Idalgashinna, Beragala, Southern plain, Kuragala, Samanala Wewa reservoir, Adarakanda, Hagala, Non perial region, Dethanagala and Pettigala. The wind was roaring over the peak and mist was covering the view intermittently.
 Entering to Bamboo Forest |
 Most of the time it was a continuous ascend. Chamara was leading us…. |
 Entering to the forest patch |
 Enjoying the hiking…. |
 Enjoying the hiking…. |
 A place of tea making |
 Last bit of climbing to Balathoduwa |
 Scenery captured on our way up… |
 Balathoduwa peak with 360 degree view |
 Balathoduwa peak with 360 degree view |
 මහ රත් මල් |
 Other one of twin peaks…Gommolli Kanda. World’s end is behind of it. |
 Mini world’s end and Great world’s end |
 Raising the flag… |
 The way we came…. |
 Peaks we have passed-Wangedigala and Wangedi kanda |
 Towards Bambarakanda area and Haldummulla |
 View of the winding road from Kalupahana to Ohiya |
 Adara Kanda side |
 Adaptation for wind….. |
Next and final target was Gommolli Kanda. As we kept our stuff at the base of Gommolli Kanda the journey was fast. We had to descend first and climb over the edge of the mountain. The foot pathway was not that much clear as Balathoduwa. Someone has gone to the peak recently and therefore cut marks over bushes were there to guide us. After about 1hour journey we reached Gommolli Kanda peak which was bit higher than Balathoduwa.
Gommolli Kanda has only 270 degree view and Balathoduwa peak can’t be seen from top of Gommolli Kanda. We were just in front of World’s end and could hear the screams of viewers at World’s end. It was a good view point towards Non perial estate, tea factory and Nagrak bungalow.
 Heading towards Gommolli Kanda |
 Misty view of Gommolli Kanda |
 View of Balathoduwa on our way to Gommolli Kanda |
 Heading towards Gommolli Kanda |
 The peak of Gommolli Kanda |
 View of Nagrak Bungalow, Non perial tea factory and Vantage point of Nagrak |
 Vantage point of Nagrak and Hagala is behind it. This is Hirikatu Oya valley |
 Zoomed view of Non perial tea factory |
 View of Great World’s end |
 View of Mini World’s end |
 On top of Gommolli Kanda |
 On top of Gommolli Kanda |
 On top of Gommolli Kanda |
After enjoying our time on Gommolli Kanda we started to get down quickly. Our initial plan was to come down along Adarakanda side. But the local guy Ranjith told he also has not been at that road. Then we decided to get back from the same side. Last stretch of the return journey had some extra adventures as we missed the trail from Pinus forest to village. It was dark when we reached the iron bridge but had to cross a marshy land unexpectedly. After having a wash from the water stream we called two three wheelers to reach double bridge and got the bus to Colombo.
 At Balathoduwa again |
 In return journey |
 Return journey |
 Guys coming over Wangedi Kanda |
Thanks for reading