“KILL ONLY TIME
TAKE ONLY PICTURES
REMOVE ONLY RUBBISH
LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS “
This sign greets us at the entrance to Horton Plains.
The 3,169 hectare Horton Plains National Park is a little different than the rest of Sri Lankan National Parks.
It is ideal for a few hours hiking on the grassy plateau (up to 2100-2300 m a.s.l.) and between bizarre forms of cloudy forests.
Such a forest, typical of tropical mountain areas, is often covered by fog and clouds and it gives , particularly in the morning, an amazing appearance.
Horton Plain is part of Central Highlands, one of the UNESCO Sri Lankan World Heritage sites because of its biodiversity and many endemic species of plants and animals.
Horton Plains is named after Robert Horton, the British governor (1831 – 37), and was declared a national park in 1988. Located 165 km from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, 32km from Nuwara Eliya, it provides excellent hiking trails: the Little World’s End (270m high), half a kilometer away from it the Big World’s End and Baker’s Falls or Chimney Pool.
The 870-meter-long precipice called the Big End of the World, causes dizziness and makes your heartbeat faster, especially because it does not have any barriers. The main trail begins at the Horton Plains Park Information Center, where plastic bottles, foil packaging, cigarettes and flammable materials should be left.
The park has 57 plant species, including 29 endemic ones, 24 species of mammals, among them deer, monkeys, squirrels, wild boars, hares, porcupines and even leopards. For bird enthusiasts it is good news, there are 87 birds species, 14 of which are endemic. However, the most common animal, especially in the morning and before dusk, is the deer (Sambar Deer), which is completely not afraid of people.
The best, the least rainy time to visit Horton Plains is from January to March. It is good to start wandering very early in the morning when nature creates the most beautiful scenery.
The entrance to the park, fee 15 USD, is possible between 6 a.m and 6 p.m. Horton Plains can be reached by train from Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Haputale (Ambewel stations, Ohiya are at least 10 km away from the park entrance) or by car.
Hiking early in the morning requires warmer clothing, although at the mid-day light clothes and head covering will be useful because majority of routes go through the open area.
Any information about the park, prices, rules and even the possibility of living there are to be found on the website of The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC):
http://www.dwc.gov.lk/index.php/en/park-fees
