Year and Month | 2017 May 21st |
Number of Days | One day |
Crew | 04- Anupama, Achintha, Nuwan and my self |
Accommodation | Not Applicable |
Transport | Bus, Motor bike and Climbing |
Activities | Mountain climbing, sightseeing and photography |
Weather | Excellent |
Route | Polonnaruwa-> Kurunegala (කුරුණෑගල)->Mallawapitiya (මල්ලවපිටිය)-> Karandagolla (කරදගොල්ල)->Buluwala (බුළුවල) ->Ranthirikanda- (රන්තිරිකන්ද)- >Rilagala (රිලාගල), Ingurugala-ඉගුරුගල (highest points) ->Back to same route->Ibbagamuwa->Polonnaruwa |
Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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Author | Niroshan |
Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
Bisogala is a mountain range of different peaks situated in Kurunegala district closer to Mawathagama (මාවතගම). Most of these peaks have different names and this mountain has a historical value. Famous Ridee Wiharaya and Rambadagalla Buddha statue are situated at the base of this mountain range. Finally it has a geographical value as it’s the highest peak of Kurunegala District. (Ambokka and Keppetigala peaks are taller than Bisogala but not entirely situated at Kurunegala district and shares with Matale district as well).
As I mentioned earlier it has peaks with different names and one particular peak also named as Bisogala. But entire range is also called as Bisogala. Other peaks are Rilagala, Ingurugala, Sudugla, Berawagala etc. We were able to reach the highest of the range-Rilagala (රිලාගල), Ingurugala (ඉගුරුගල) and Sudugla (සුදුගල) but not able to visit Bisogala.
It was kind of a long awaited trip and map reading was helpful to get me an idea about the range and where to approach. I have discussed with Anupama and his friend Achintha also joined with us. Nuwan and myself came to Kurunegala by bus. Then we went to Mallawapitiya by bikes and got turn to Buluwala where Bambaragala temple is situated.
When we inquired from villagers they mentioned there is a concrete road up to certain level of the range. We have passed Doranepola (දොරනෙපොල) Lake and followed the concrete road till Bambaragala temple (බඹරගල විහාරය). I am sure the steepness can be managed only with bikes, four wheels and three wheels. We parked our bikes near Bambaragala temple and followed the foot pathway from there.
I couldn’t see a historical value of Bambaragala temple. Buluwala primary school was situated just above the temple and it has a nice play ground with scenic view. Another peak of Bisogala range was seen from there which was named as Pahangala (පහන්ගල) was crowded with children who play with kites.
Villagers of Buluwala highlighted the particular peak called Bisogala which can’t be found without a guide. We realized they have given a special value for this peak due to it’s historical value.
We inquired about the foot pathway to Bisogala from villagers who met during the ascend. Later we decided to get the assistance of a guide to reach Bisogala but unable to find.
At the end we determined to climb it alone with the help of map. Bambaragala temple is situated at 400m and with the ascend of foot pathway we have reached to 600m level. Therefore we had to climb only another 200m height gain. We entered the jeep track to Ranthirikanda and walked along it.
Whole range is covered with coffee bushes and later we knew it belongs to an estate called Morathiha (මොරතිහ). We entered the coffee patch and followed the foot pathway. Later this foot pathway got vanished but we climbed towards the peak.
![]() View of Bisogala range from Handurukanda. Photo was taken from Ashan’s report on Handurukanda. |
![]() View of Bisogala range from Morathiha |
![]() Stupa of Bambaragala Temple |
![]() Getting the start closer to Buluwala temple |
![]() Scenic play ground of Buluwala primary school |
![]() Anupama (left), Nuwan and Achintha (right) |
![]() View of Rilagala when we were at Ranthirikanda village |
![]() Pahangala crowded with children |
![]() This water stream makes a small waterfall as well. |
![]() Following the foot pathway to Ranthirikanda village |
![]() Mushroom |
![]() Posed |
![]() Guess what |
![]() තිබ්බටු |
![]() Reached Ranthirikanda village |
![]() Reached Ranthirikanda village |
![]() The ascend. Initially along the coffee estate with under grown. Later along the dry zone forest patch. |
![]() Continuous ascend till reach the peak |
After about 1 hour climb we reached the highest point and goggle map also showed it as the highest of the range. This is the peak called Rilagala. It is the most significant view point. It has 270 degree view towards surrounding. Though it is bit gloomy day we were able to identify number of peaks: Dolukanda, Kandawala, Handurukanda, Morathenna, Alagalla, Etipola, Wilshire, Keppetigala peak, Ambokka, Makulussa, Hanthana, Knuckles range with Riverstone and Karagahathenna.
We have moved from Rilagala towards next two viewpoints which were at same level: Ingurugala and Sudu gala. There were leeches just beyond the highest point might be due to forest coverage and mist. Other two viewpoints didn’t provide good views.
We returned to the gravel road of Ranthirikanda in another hour. On our way we had a bath at Polgahawala (පොල්ගහවල) which is situated closer to Bambaragala temple.
Though we have reached the highest peak of Kurunegala district, the particular peak with historical value at Bisogala is pending to climb.
![]() Towards Etipola, Ambokka and Knuckles range |
![]() Towards Hanthana range and Etipola |
![]() Other part of Bisogala range and towards Handurukanda, Morathenna, Kauwel and Unagalle |
![]() ? Alagalla is seen behind Handurukanda range |
![]() Yakdessagala with it’s unique shape |
![]() Wilshire Mountain |
![]() Etipola Mountain |
![]() ? Hanthana range |
![]() Nearby small town |
![]() Landscape |
![]() Landscape |
![]() Surrounding view |
![]() View of Mawathagama town and Handurukanda. Handurukanda (792m) is the second highest peak of Kurunegala district. Next to Handurukanda are Morathenna (672m), Kauwel (699m) and Unagalle (550m). |
![]() Riverstone and Knuckles range. Makulussa is just infront of Knuckles range and Ambokka is in left hand side. |
![]() Sandamadala (left), Karagasthenna (middle) and Ambokka (right) |
![]() The team on top of Bisogala range |
![]() Posed…. |
![]() Back to wild…Old coffee estate on top of the peak. Actually this is the highest point but no view. View point is situated about 10m down to the highest point. |
![]() Can eat? |
![]() Evidence of human visit |
![]() Break |
![]() Please bring back what you carried |
![]() Towards Ingurugala |
![]() Bathalagoda Lake zoomed |
![]() Trio at third peak (Sudu gala) where the view towards Bathalagoda Lake is clear. But this is not a good view point. |
![]() View of Bathalagoda Lake. Kandalawa Mountain is seen immediately behind. Dolukanda is seen next to Arankale rock. |
![]() View of Pahangala |
![]() Other part of the range |
![]() Coming back…. |
![]() Coming back….. |
![]() නියගලා |
![]() Green Vine Snake (Ahetulla Nasutus) |
![]() The trap….. (මන්ද) |
![]() Mushroom |
![]() Small cave might be a shelter for wild animals |
![]() On our way back…. |
![]() Polgahawala |
![]() Had a day….Bathing at Polgahawala |
![]() The work out-when we climb up |
![]() The work out-when we come dow |
![]() Rough trail on Google map: Star shows the highest peak of the range: Bisogala |
Thanks for reading