Pidurangala Rock (348 m)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 0.98 mi
- Elevation gain
- 348 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 348 ft
- Max elevation
- 1,140 ft
- TrailRank
-
38
5
- Min elevation
- 683 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- one hour 28 minutes
- Coordinates
- 204
- Uploaded
- September 3, 2019
- Recorded
- August 2019
near Piduragala, Central (Sri Lanka)
Viewed 673 times, downloaded 45 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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After our safaris through Wilpattu and Minneriya, it's time for the legs! In the same day we will ascend Pidurangala Rock (348 m) and Sigiriya Rock (366 m). It's the turn of the first, small and entertaining ascent to the best viewpoint in Sigiriya!
START:
After turning off the main road and following a comfortable forest track with our tuk tuk, we arrived at the entrance to Pidurangala Rock, where we found a large parking lot with a store selling cold drinks and various products. It should be noted that we can start the route from the town near Sigiriya, and even combine both rocks, but it would add time and kilometers to our trip, so we chose to approach each of the entrances and ascend both rocks separately.
DESCRIPTION:
Before starting the ascent, we provide ourselves with cold water. It is very hot and it is essential to hydrate. We began walking past the entrance to the temple, a mandatory step to take the ascending steps.
Once inside, we arrive at the place where the temple itself is located, where, as in all of them, we have to take off our shoes and carry our mountain boots in our hands. It will only be a small section, so we completed it without problems. Once we have passed the temple, we put our shoes back on!
We begin the ascent to Pidurangala Rock, always through rock steps and without loss. The climb is comfortable and very beautiful, so we are really enjoying the route. During the climb, we don't see many people, something that adds beauty to the place. We are gaining meters quickly, while the views are becoming more and more beautiful!
After passing the first part of steps, we arrive at an area of ruins, where we find a sculpture and an information sign. We continue!
We leave the sculpture behind and all that remains is to continue surrounding the large walls on our right, reaching the most challenging area of the route. It is a short stretch of climbing, prior to the nearby summit. It is very easy to find people here, since it is the only access to the upper part of Pidurangala Rock. Lots of people climbing and descending and the well-known respect of Asians for waiting their turn. Silly last one!
After a few minutes of waiting, it is our turn, so we undertake the climb without problems. Good rock and good holds. Incredible to see how the locals go up and down here, in flip flops and with family members of all ages!
Already at the top, a few more steps and we reach the summit of Pidurangala Rock (348 m), where we get a spectacular panoramic view of Sigiriya Rock. We took several minutes to enjoy the area and the height gained. Lots of photos and a nice view to compensate for the effort of getting here!
After enjoying Pidurangala Rock, we return! The way back will be the same as the way out. We climbed down the final part of the climb, left behind the ruined area with the sculpture and went down all the steps until we reached the temple.
Back at the temple, we leave it and return to the parking lot, where we conclude the route.
CONCLUSION:
Without a doubt, Pidurangala Rock (348 m) is the best viewpoint of Sigiriya Rock. A very beautiful, entertaining ascent that is very worthwhile, especially because the number of visitors is significantly lower than that in Sigiriya. A climb that we enjoyed very much! Highly recommended!
MORE INFORMATION:
Pidurangala Rock (348 m)
Route Index
Route Map
Summits Map
Rubén Wanderlust (www.rubenwanderlust.com)
START:
After turning off the main road and following a comfortable forest track with our tuk tuk, we arrived at the entrance to Pidurangala Rock, where we found a large parking lot with a store selling cold drinks and various products. It should be noted that we can start the route from the town near Sigiriya, and even combine both rocks, but it would add time and kilometers to our trip, so we chose to approach each of the entrances and ascend both rocks separately.
DESCRIPTION:
Before starting the ascent, we provide ourselves with cold water. It is very hot and it is essential to hydrate. We began walking past the entrance to the temple, a mandatory step to take the ascending steps.
Once inside, we arrive at the place where the temple itself is located, where, as in all of them, we have to take off our shoes and carry our mountain boots in our hands. It will only be a small section, so we completed it without problems. Once we have passed the temple, we put our shoes back on!
We begin the ascent to Pidurangala Rock, always through rock steps and without loss. The climb is comfortable and very beautiful, so we are really enjoying the route. During the climb, we don't see many people, something that adds beauty to the place. We are gaining meters quickly, while the views are becoming more and more beautiful!
After passing the first part of steps, we arrive at an area of ruins, where we find a sculpture and an information sign. We continue!
We leave the sculpture behind and all that remains is to continue surrounding the large walls on our right, reaching the most challenging area of the route. It is a short stretch of climbing, prior to the nearby summit. It is very easy to find people here, since it is the only access to the upper part of Pidurangala Rock. Lots of people climbing and descending and the well-known respect of Asians for waiting their turn. Silly last one!
After a few minutes of waiting, it is our turn, so we undertake the climb without problems. Good rock and good holds. Incredible to see how the locals go up and down here, in flip flops and with family members of all ages!
Already at the top, a few more steps and we reach the summit of Pidurangala Rock (348 m), where we get a spectacular panoramic view of Sigiriya Rock. We took several minutes to enjoy the area and the height gained. Lots of photos and a nice view to compensate for the effort of getting here!
After enjoying Pidurangala Rock, we return! The way back will be the same as the way out. We climbed down the final part of the climb, left behind the ruined area with the sculpture and went down all the steps until we reached the temple.
Back at the temple, we leave it and return to the parking lot, where we conclude the route.
CONCLUSION:
Without a doubt, Pidurangala Rock (348 m) is the best viewpoint of Sigiriya Rock. A very beautiful, entertaining ascent that is very worthwhile, especially because the number of visitors is significantly lower than that in Sigiriya. A climb that we enjoyed very much! Highly recommended!
MORE INFORMATION:
Pidurangala Rock (348 m)
Route Index
Route Map
Summits Map
Rubén Wanderlust (www.rubenwanderlust.com)
Waypoints
Car park
687 ft
Waypoint
Religious site
Ruins
Information point
Risk
Summit
Comments (2)
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Subida corta a la roca de Pidurangala,sencilla pero intensa,últimos pasos un poco complejos pero las vistas desde arriba merecen muchísimo la pena
Alvaro de Miguel 3, muchas gracias por tu comentario y valoración! Saludos!