Knuckles Range

Motoring from Kandy via Wattegama through Panawilla, to Madulkele to come across Huluganga Falls. The Knuckles mountain range can be accessed from several routes and the route nearest to Kandy is through Wattegama along the Bambarella Road passing Panwilla.

From Kandy the route is as follows, from Kandy town to Katugastota then on to Madawala. Just passing Madawala and about 1.5k s before Wattegama, comes the V junction where the road diverts towards Wattegama and Bambarawella. Proceeding along the Bambarella road takes the traveller towards the famous ‘Knuckles Peaks’. Huluganga Falls comes across about the halfway distance from Wattegama-Bambarella Road.
Knuckles mountain range features 34 peaks ranging in height between 1900 metres and 900 metres, Five mountain peaks of the range having formed the shape of a clenched fist, the British in Ceylon named the mountain range Knuckles.

Weather in the Knuckles mountain range is unpredictable and could transform within a few minutes. A thick mist could shroud the mountain and a matter of minutes, rain could breeze in any day.

Knuckles range is home to mammals such as wild boar, spotted deer, giant squirrel, barking deer purple faced leaf monkey, mongoose and porcupines are found here.

Among the endemic lizard species found in the Knuckles range is the Crestless Lizard (Calotesliocephalus), Pigmy Lizard (Cophotisceylanica) and Kangaroo Lizard (Otocryptisbeddomei) and the leaf nose lizard (Ceratophoratennentii) is found only in this forest.

Knuckles range is home to no less than 200 bird species. Fifteen of these species are endemic to Sri Lanka; Spot Wing thrush, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Jungle Fowl, Yellow fronted barbet, small barbet, Sri Lankan warbles, White faced starling, Sri Lanka white eye, Black headed Bulbul, Yellow eared bulbul, dusk blue flycatcher, brown capped babbler and Layard’s parakeet.

Knuckles features a great diversity in its forest cover; dry evergreen forests, montane forest, sub montane forests, dry and wet pathana, savanna, etc.

It has been found that 20 per cent of the plants herein are endemic to Sri Lanka. With a wide range of hardwood as well as herbal plants are also found.

The knuckles range is one of the loveliest nature attractions of Sri Lanka. The changing terrain of grassland, rugged mountain peaks interspersed with stream and cascading waterfalls make Knuckles mountain range that covers an area of 18,512 hectares make it a trekker’s paradise.

Knuckles range is a world heritage conservation area than affords intriguing trekking possibilities. However, it is still to a greater extent an untouched zone of significant natural beauty and bio diversity. Enthusiast would even take up to three days hike of 40 kms plus teak with a guide.

Popular hiking trails are Mini World’s End from Deanstone; train to Dothalugala from Deanstone; trail to Nitro Caves from Corbtt’s Gap; trail to Augallena cave via Thangappuwa from Corbett’s Gap; trail to Kalupahana from ‘Meemure’ village.