The Pekoe Trail - Stage 22 - Kandapola To Pedro Estate - Official Profile

LATEST UPDATE (AUGUST 23): Stage 22 is partially open at this point in time. If you are starting in Kandapola we advise you to take a tuk-tuk or a vehicle to the entrance of the "Government Seed Production Farm" and start from there making your way down to the Pedro Estate Tea Factory from here. This particular point on the trail is 5km out from Kandapola so the remaining distance to the end of the stage is just over 5km. If you are starting at the Pedro Estate Tea Factory and doing stage 22 in reverse we recommend walking along the Pekoe Trail to the "Government Seed Production Farm" entrance gate and then turning back towards the Pedro Estate Tea Factory on the same Pekoe Trail route you came on bringing the total distance walked to approximately 10km.

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

This is the final stage of The Pekoe Trail. Congratulations! Or perhaps it’s the first – if you are walking the trail in reverse – any way will do!

The trail starts at Kandapola town, a small yet busy transit town located 14 km east of the regional capital Nuwara Eliya. Take the road directly opposite the Petrol Station, and stay on this road for close to 1.6 km where the trail peels off to the left, just in front of an old warehouse.

Here’s where you leave the village behind and for the next 8 km the trail is on tea estate tracks. Do note that there is very little shade here and hence on a sunny day you’ll need protection from the sun. Likewise on a windy and rainy day the temperatures here can drop and you’ll need a warm layer and possibly a raincoat.

We circle around the Courtlodge Tea Factory, one of the oldest tea estates in the region, established In 1890. The trail meanders peacefully up and down tea trails and through a remote village at the far end of the valley.

The highest point of the trail is the 6.3 km mark; the elevation is 2108 meters above sea level. At the 9.1 km mark, we walk past the manager's bungalow and keep walking on lovely tea estates and gradually start descending at the 9.8 km mark look out for a small tea trail that peels off to the left and zig-zags down the mountain through lush tea fields. In front of us is the Pedro Estate Tea Factory, a very well-known estate and a factory sitting proudly overlooking the surrounding countryside. The Pedro Tea Factory is open for Factory visits – please check online for costs and times.

Just before we peel off from the main trail, at the 6.8 km mark, there is a trail that leads to Lover’s Leap, a popular day excursion from Colombo. According to myth, Lovers Leap Waterfall is said to derive its name from the tragic tale of a prince, who while hunting in the jungle, lost his way. A beautiful damsel rescued him from the local village, and the two became inseparable lovers. But the match was not to the liking of the Eliya King and Queen, so the two decided to leap to their deaths, so they could be united forever.

The iconic Pedro Tea Estate factory marks the end / or the start of the Pekoe Trail. The center of Nuwara Eliya town is a mere 3 km to the south. There is a bus stop, and there are also plenty of tuk-tuks to take you into town should you need local transport. Pedro Tea Estate offers a very interesting and comprehensive guided tour if you're interested.

--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.

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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.