The dramatic precipice of the World’s End is located halfway of a 9 kilometers hiking route through the Horton Plains National Park. The name “World’s End” fascinated me and it made me decide to hike through the Hortons Plains National Park to reach there. For those, who are not aware of this gem of a place near Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka, the Horton Plains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its rich diversity, it consists of Montane evergreen forests, grasslands, marshy swamps, and aquatic ecosystems. Located at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level, Horton Plains spreads across over 3,169 hectares of the highest tableland of the island. A large number of endemic flora and fauna exist there and it is one of the best day-trips from Nuwara Eliya.
Table of Contents
Horton Plains is an offbeat gem
Being a bit of an offbeat destination (read less frequented), there is no public transportation to Hortons Plains. Most visitors go there by tuk-tuk or jeep transfers that are organized by their hotels/hostels from the city. I chose a guided hike that came with transfers and lunch boxes and in retrospect, it turned out to be an excellent idea. Following our guide’s advice, we left very early from Nuwara Eliya to hike through Hortons Plains and on the way, I witnessed a beautiful sunrise. We were one of the earliest to arrive at the park gate and the young morning light was still waking up civet cats that were cozily snoozing inside trash bins. The sleepy animals looked around drowsily before scampering off as noisy crowds started arriving in hordes. Though the main tourist attraction of the Horton Plains National Park, the World’s End is the only important one and we decided to make just a brief pause there.
Recommended Read:Â MY NUWARA ELIYA DAYS
It is a biodiversity hotspot
The open expanse of Horton Plains is its biggest charm and on any given day, clouds, mists, and the sun create lovely shadows on its bleak vastness. Wildflowers, narrow meandering streams, tall grass, and deep red rich earth bask under a huge blue sky and the park does not hold a single human habitat. Our hiking trail led us through them all and we walked across lonely grasslands, moist forests, and wet swamps. Misty cloud forests too covered large tracts of the undulating Plains and their unique umbrella-shaped Keena trees dripped water from the fine cobweb of old man’s beard vegetation. Strange, beautiful flowers peeked from the trees and the undergrowth and a dazzling variety of ferns, lichens, and orchids grew in clusters. Exotic birds and gorgeous green-scaled lizards flitted out of the forests and streams reflected the skies as we neared the swampy lowlands.
Think moors, cloud forests, and swamps in one place
Renamed after Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, the British governor of Ceylon, who traveled to the area, the plains were found to be inhabited since ages and ancient stone tools were discovered there. Designated as a national park in 1988, the Horton Plains is a part of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and it is certainly an interesting day trip from Nuwara Eliya. I was very much taken in by the unique national park at the time of my visit and even today, I find it very beautiful. Though not the most breathtaking World Heritage Site I have seen, the park’s bleakness is vividly spectacular and it is indeed been like no other place in Sri Lanka.
You may also like: HIGHLIGHTS OF SRI LANKA’S HILL COUNTRY
Hortons Plains Travel Tips
How to Reach: You can get to Horton Plains from Nuwara Elia by tuk-tuk (from 3000 rupees) and it can be shared with another fellow traveler. If there are 3 or more people, then it is more convenient to go with a van (from 3500 rupees). Guided hikes are also available at Nuwara Eliya. These come with transfers. The national park is accessed by the Nuwara Eliya-Ambewela-Pattipola and Haputale-Boralanda roads, and there are railway stations at Ohiya and Ambewela.
When to Reach:Â This is one infallible piece of advice for visiting Horton’s Plains. The early morning (between 6 am and 10 am) is the best time to visit the World’s End and it is true that you have to get up early to experience the end of the world. Post 10 am, usually the clouds roll in and obscure the fantastic views which stretch all the way to the coast. The weather is clearest from January to March.
Dress for a Hike: Make sure, you are dressed warmly in long trousers and sweaters as the evenings and early mornings are quite chilly in the Central Highlands. The plains warm up fast and for hikers, sunglasses, water, sunscreen, hat, etc. are advised.
What to See: Â World’s End, Lesser World’s End, Baker’s Falls, Slab Rock Falls, etc. are some of its attractions.
Camping At Horton Plains National Park: Camping is allowed at Horton Plains National Park. The park officials give out campsite reservations on the first Monday of every month. Book ahead to reserve a spot.
Details of the Hike: The Horton Plains hike is a 10 km loop. At around 5 min after the park entrance, there is the option to walk left toward Mini World’s End, or right towards Baker’s Falls. Most people finish the loop is 2.5 to 3 hours and the walk is not challenging.
Suggested for You:Â AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HILL COUNTRY OF SRI LANKA
Things to remember before visiting Horton’s Plains
- The park is accessible with a jeep or a van.
- The park entrance is 15 USD or equivalent in rupees for tourists (30 USD if you stay during the night).
- Make sure to bring some food and water for the hike as it is 9 km and lasts 3 hours, and the way back can be under a hot sun.
- The Worlds End is where the plateau ends in a sheer precipice of nearly 900 m and the spot has no safety fence. There have been cases of people falling to their deaths from there. Be extra cautious especially if with children.
- The Baker’s Fall can also be slippery and extra caution is required.
- Horton Plains National Park is a plastic-free zone. The security people at the entrance check your belongings and remove plastic bags, wraps from your food to make sure the park is not polluted. Brown bags are provided by the authorities to keep your things. Plan accordingly.
- There are a few toilets in the park, but they are so filthy that it is best to avoid them. Carry some toilet paper if you don’t mind going into the wilderness.
Is visiting the Horton Plains worth the steep entrance fee?
If you are a budget traveler, then the Horton Plains can be skipped. There are plenty of beautiful places like Little Adam’s Peak that are free. However, if you love nature through the moors and a good hike, then do visit the Horton Plains National Park.
Follow the rest of the Sri Lanka series here
- WHAT I LOVED ABOUT SRI LANKA
- COLOMBO TRAVEL GUIDE
- COLOMBO VIBES
- KOLLUPITIYA MARKET IN COLOMBO PHOTO WALK
- MIRISSA DAYS
- THE STILT FISHERMEN AND CAVE TEMPLE OF KOGGALA
- MOONSTONE MINES AND MASKS FOR DEVIL DANCING: GALLE OFFBEAT THINGS
- A VERY RELAXING WEEK IN KANDY
- KANDY TRAVEL GUIDE FOR SLOW TRAVELING
- DAMBANA ADVENTURE
- THE ELUSIVE VEDDAS OF SRI LANKA
- THE STORY OF SIGIRIYA
- HOW TO VISIT SIGIRIYA
- THE HERITAGE SITE OF POLONNARUWA
- PAINTED CAVES OF DAMBULLA
NOTE: In view of the security situation in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of terror attacks on 21 April 2019, the updated travel advisory states that the security situation in Sri Lanka is gradually returning to normal with the lifting of curfew & restrictions on social media and the opening of schools. Foreign nationals travelling to Sri Lanka are advised to be careful and vigilant.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELING-BECAUSE I CARE