The Pekoe Trail - Stage 21 - Uda Pussellawa to Kandapola - Official Profile
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 10.38 mi
- Elevation gain
- 3,638 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 1,506 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,588 ft
- TrailRank
-
41
4.7
- Min elevation
- 6,588 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 3 hours 20 minutes
- Coordinates
- 256
- Uploaded
- August 28, 2022
- Recorded
- August 2022
near Amast Estate, Central (Sri Lanka)
Viewed 1020 times, downloaded 172 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
IMPORTANT NOTE: The stage is walkable but not yet fully signposted. Trail users are advised to consider all the information available and to heed local advice when available. The services of a professional mountain guide are recommended. Trail users are responsible for all decisions as to the trail routes, trail conditions, weather, and safety. In addition to the hazards posed by steep terrain and mountain weather, hikers should be prepared for difficult route-finding and challenging trail conditions, dogs, leaches, heavy rain, intermittent thunderstorms, and plenty of sun. It is recommended to drink at least 1/2 litre of water per hour when hiking. Access to emergency medical care and rescue is not always immediately available.
Please download the latest version of the map before navigating the stage to avoid missing out on any re-routing.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE STAGE
Today’s stage starts in Uda Pussellawa at an elevation of 1,275 meters and ends in Kandapola at an elevation of 1,936 meters. The elevation gain is considerable but well worth the physical effort and remember, we are walking on tea trails, so the ascent is gradual and manageable. Uda Pussellawa is a small but lively town with all the services you need: fruit sellers, small supermarkets, a bank, and a pharmacy. Take plenty of water with you.
We follow the main road out of town in the direction of Ragala for the first 700 meters of the trail and then peel off to the left as we begin to ascend on a well-trodden dirt track the villagers use. At the 1.7 km point, the trail turns back on itself, as we saddle onto the other side of this small valley. We zig-zag through verdant tea fields for 3 km and at the 4.7 km point we reach the highest point of this first section. We are walking on the Gordon Estate, along the border of the Central and Uva provinces. From here, we descend for another 2 km enjoying the spectacular views of the valleys below until we reach the “Ambalama Junction”, at the 6.7 km point.
From here, it’s a 6 km hike up towards Kandapola. The trail traces an old south-facing secondary road that takes us all the way up the hill. As we ascend, we are treated to sprawling views of the Uva bowl. On a clear day, one can easily make out the contour of Haputale, Lipton Seat, and Ella Rock, wrapping around the Uva bowl. This part of the tea country is also prolific at producing vegetables. People here are farming every centimeter of soil available for cultivation, to grow carrots or leeks.
At the 10.1 km point, we leave all the vegetable cultivations behind, as the trail takes us through the forest for approximately 3 km. This is a patch of autochthonous high-elevation rainforest. You’re on an old, virtually abandoned secondary road connecting Kandapola and the Uva Province. The forest is teeming with wildlife, birds, monkeys and, of course, leopards as well. The change in temperature as you ascend is very noticeable, especially as you traverse and exit the forest.
At the 13 km point, we leave the forest behind and reach the highest point of today’s walk. We are now walking on tea trails and contemplating Hethersett Estate fields, and the iconic Tea Factory Hotel just in front of us.
The Heritance Tea Factory Hotel is a great example of how tourism can contribute to heritage conservation, by turning an abandoned tea factory into a hotel. In 2007, the Sunday Times UK listed The Tea Factory Hotel among the ‘100 Best Places to Stay in the World.
The trail loops around the hotel and heads down towards Kandapola. This exciting stage ends in front of the petrol station in the center of town.
PLEASE TAKE ALL YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU AND IF YOU SEE ANY RUBBISH OTHERS LEFT BEHIND TRY TO TAKE IT - EVEN IF JUST A BOTTLE OR A PLASTIC BAG, EVERY BIT COUNTS - THANK YOU.
The Pekoe Trail is designed to support development and livelihoods in rural areas of Sri Lanka. Buying goods and services from local businesses helps communities along the trail to thrive. The Pekoe Trail is funded by the European Union (EU) with additional support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IESC on behalf of Sri Lanka Tourism.
Please download the latest version of the map before navigating the stage to avoid missing out on any re-routing.
-----------------
DESCRIPTION OF THE STAGE
Today’s stage starts in Uda Pussellawa at an elevation of 1,275 meters and ends in Kandapola at an elevation of 1,936 meters. The elevation gain is considerable but well worth the physical effort and remember, we are walking on tea trails, so the ascent is gradual and manageable. Uda Pussellawa is a small but lively town with all the services you need: fruit sellers, small supermarkets, a bank, and a pharmacy. Take plenty of water with you.
We follow the main road out of town in the direction of Ragala for the first 700 meters of the trail and then peel off to the left as we begin to ascend on a well-trodden dirt track the villagers use. At the 1.7 km point, the trail turns back on itself, as we saddle onto the other side of this small valley. We zig-zag through verdant tea fields for 3 km and at the 4.7 km point we reach the highest point of this first section. We are walking on the Gordon Estate, along the border of the Central and Uva provinces. From here, we descend for another 2 km enjoying the spectacular views of the valleys below until we reach the “Ambalama Junction”, at the 6.7 km point.
From here, it’s a 6 km hike up towards Kandapola. The trail traces an old south-facing secondary road that takes us all the way up the hill. As we ascend, we are treated to sprawling views of the Uva bowl. On a clear day, one can easily make out the contour of Haputale, Lipton Seat, and Ella Rock, wrapping around the Uva bowl. This part of the tea country is also prolific at producing vegetables. People here are farming every centimeter of soil available for cultivation, to grow carrots or leeks.
At the 10.1 km point, we leave all the vegetable cultivations behind, as the trail takes us through the forest for approximately 3 km. This is a patch of autochthonous high-elevation rainforest. You’re on an old, virtually abandoned secondary road connecting Kandapola and the Uva Province. The forest is teeming with wildlife, birds, monkeys and, of course, leopards as well. The change in temperature as you ascend is very noticeable, especially as you traverse and exit the forest.
At the 13 km point, we leave the forest behind and reach the highest point of today’s walk. We are now walking on tea trails and contemplating Hethersett Estate fields, and the iconic Tea Factory Hotel just in front of us.
The Heritance Tea Factory Hotel is a great example of how tourism can contribute to heritage conservation, by turning an abandoned tea factory into a hotel. In 2007, the Sunday Times UK listed The Tea Factory Hotel among the ‘100 Best Places to Stay in the World.
The trail loops around the hotel and heads down towards Kandapola. This exciting stage ends in front of the petrol station in the center of town.
PLEASE TAKE ALL YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU AND IF YOU SEE ANY RUBBISH OTHERS LEFT BEHIND TRY TO TAKE IT - EVEN IF JUST A BOTTLE OR A PLASTIC BAG, EVERY BIT COUNTS - THANK YOU.
The Pekoe Trail is designed to support development and livelihoods in rural areas of Sri Lanka. Buying goods and services from local businesses helps communities along the trail to thrive. The Pekoe Trail is funded by the European Union (EU) with additional support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IESC on behalf of Sri Lanka Tourism.
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Hiking with my friends Hiran, Fazil and Thilagar from White Monkey Haputale. Accompanied by my dogs Lucky and Browny.
Our second day on the Pekoe Trail Stage 21 from Kandapola to Uda Pussellawa started from the Concordia Estate. The afternoon before we climbed up from Kandapola to Concordia.
Last night we had some problems to get a permission to camp 🏕 in the Concordia Estate. So we dicided to camp overnight in a nearby forest. Next morning we walked on. First 5 kilometres thru forest, than alongside of some beautiful vegetable farms and Amherst tea estate. Late afternoon we arrived at Uda Pussellawa. We got some help from the police station to find an accommodation for us and the dogs.
More about it in my FB group "Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka - Hiking & Camping"
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Unterwegs mit meinen Freunden Hiran, Fazil und Thilagar von White Monkey Haputale. Mit dabei meine evidence Hunde Lucky und Browny.
Unser zweiter Tag auf dem Pekoe Trail - Etappe 21
von Kandapola nach Uda Pussellawa startete von der Concordia Estate. Am Vortag waren wir Nachmittags von Kandapola nach Concordia aufgestiegen.
Letzte Nacht hatten wir einige Probleme, eine Erlaubnis zum Campen 🏕 in der Concordia Estate zu bekommen. Also beschlossen wir, in einem nahe gelegenen Wald zu übernachten. Am nächsten Morgen gingen wir weiter. Zuerst 5 Kilometer durch Wald, dann entlang einiger schöner Gemüsefarmen und durch die Amherst Teeplantage. Am späten Nachmittag kamen wir in Uda Pussellawa an. Wir bekamen Hilfe von der Polizeistation, um eine geeignete Unterkunft für uns und die Hunde zu finden.
Mehr dazu in meiner FB Gruppe "Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka - Hiking & Camping"
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Dies war unsere zweite Etappe auf dem Pekoe Trail, von Kandapola nach Uda Pussellawa (18./19.01.23). Mit dabei meine beiden Hunde Lucky und Browny sowie meine Freunde Hiran, Thilagar und Fazil.
Der Anstieg von Kandapola zur Concordia Estate empfand ich als anstrengend. Wir waren bereits von der Pedro Teefabrik nach Kandapola gewandert. Dazu die Last unserer Wanderausrüstung mit Zelten und Kochgeschirr. Zusätzlich musste ich meine Hunde öfters an die Leine nehmen wo Menschen und Hunde waren. Das sorgte für ein Ungleichgewicht beim Wandern.
Endlich oben angekommen fanden wir einen schönen Platz zum Zelten. Nur leider bekamen wir keine Erlaubnis dazu. Laut Concordia Estate Assistent Manager gab es zwei Wochen zuvor einen Übergriff von Einheimischen auf einen anderen Camper. Das sollte sich nicht wiederholen. Tatsächlich wurden auch wir von einer Gruppe besoffener Männer (blauer Tuktuk CP AAL 9437) belästigt und genötigt zu verschwinden.
So wanderten wir im Dunkeln weiter bis zur Waldgrenze, fanden einen geeigneten Zeltplatz auf einen Seitenweg. Meine Hunde schliefen bei mir im Zelt.
Am nächsten Morgen ging es lange Zeit bergab durch den Wald und entlang von bunten Gemüsefarmen. Dann noch einmal über einen Berg der Amherst Teeplantage.
In Uda Pussellawa half uns dann die Polizei eine Unterkunft zu finden, die Hunde erlaubte.
Fazit: Eine sehr schöne Wanderstrecke, die etwas mehr Leistung abverlangt. Landschaftlich wunderschön und empfehlenswert.
Bezüglich Concordia Estate warne ich davor dort zu Zelten. Es ist zu gefährlich.
Meine 3 Sterne für Informationen beziehen sich nur auf die noch fehlende Ausschilderung für diesen Weg. Die soll im laufenden Jahr 2023 installiert werden. Die Angaben des Autors und der Wegverlauf nach GPS waren sehr hilfreich und gut zu finden.
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Avant-dernière étape de cette belle aventure. Un dénivelé important, mais c'est relativement doux . Les montagnes vous accompagnent durant une longue partie du parcours, tout comme les nombreux jardins en contre bas. Kandapola est une petite ville classique, malheureusement je n'ai pas trouvé d'endroits pour dormir. Par conséquent , j'ai pris un bus pour Nuwara. Il y a une multitude d'hôtels. La ville est bruyante, on y trouve de tout. J'ai apprécié me promener du côté du lac.