Trek to the Sri Pada Mountain via Ratnapura-Palabaddala Trail (2018) - 1 of 7

Описание: Sri Pada Mountain located in the border between Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces is one of the most sacred peaks of Sri Lanka, if not in the world, and being worshipped by hundreds and thousands of Buddhists every year during the season between December (Unduwap Poya) and May (Vesak Poya).

With a height of 2,243m (7,359 ft), Sri Pada Summit is the 5th highest in Sri Lanka and part of the wide range of Samanala Mountain Range. There are many trails to reach the summit and this time I used the one going via Ratnapura-Sri Palabaddala which is approximately 12km in length, 2,000m in elevation gain and with close to 12,000 steps all the way to the summit.

Ratnapura-Sri Palabaddala Trail has the most elevation gain and one of the most difficult. However due to its close proximity to the summit, Hatton-Nallathanni Trail is the most popular but also the most crowded. If you visit, it’s best to do this on a week day, preferably mid-week in order to avoid the congestion.

Summit Point is also one of the best places to watch sunrise and so popular among locals as well as tourists. Unfortunately careless pilgrims have caused irreparable damage to this sensitive environmental area with irresponsible travel by dumping garbage all over and leaving behind tons of polythene and plastic. This is growing a major concern as Sri Pada is one of the key water retention areas in the country. As a result of these ignorant travellers, there had been landslides and dangers to the endemic species of animals, birds and insects that live here.

Therefore please minimize the use of polythene and plastic and do take them back with you all the time. Even when it comes to bio-degradable waste, please do take them back coz the amount of waste, no matter degradable or not, can’t be handled by this environment at the rate it’s being added. Please help safeguard this national treasure into the future as well.

Special Note for the Viewers:

I’ve done this video to make other human beings aware of the beauty of this place and please don’t misuse this information in order to ruin this place. I’ve spent so much of time/money bringing this to you so that you may enjoy it. However I’ve a very kind and humble request from you all.

Should you ever visit this place, you’re kindly requested to adhere to the following in order to save our Mother Nature (essentially Our Country) not only for the future generations but for the current one as well:

Avoid careless/reckless/irresponsible/money-oriented/mega tour groups or organizers.

Travel in smaller groups as Mother Nature can’t afford so many footprints at once.

Minimize the use of polythene/plastic and do bring back if you have to take any with you.

Don’t litter and even if it’ bio-degradable, please bring it back and dispose of the garbage properly and responsibly. Because no matter what it is, it will still be alien to that environment.

Use reusable water bottles so that you don’t have to keep buying plastic ones. It’ll not only save you money but will help save nature massively.

Remain quiet and vigilant. Don’t disturb the tranquility of the nature. Instead savor it.

Try and bring if you spot any litter/garbage left behind by other careless travellers.

Don’t light fires unnecessarily and do try to use portable cookers instead of using firewood when camping. The increase usage of firewood leads to more deforestation even at a smaller scale.

Don’t bring any plants back with you or break any plants/branches unnecessarily.

Don’t walk off the designated footpath.

Don’t use soap/detergent/shampoo when bathing in natural streams as they’d only lead to the contamination of those pure water sources and elimination of wildlife species.

Don’t do anything that harms the Mother Nature.

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