The Pekoe Trail - Stage 4 - Tawalanthenne to Pundaloya - Official Profile

IMPORTANT NOTE: The stage is walkable and signposted. Look out for orange circles with a white arrow. 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 litter of water per hour when hiking. Access to emergency medical care and rescue is not always immediately available.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE STAGE

During the first few kilometers of stage 04 of The Pekoe Trail, we walk through the residential areas of two towns, Tawalantenne and New Kotmale. We gradually descend towards the crossing of the Ramboda Oya at the 2.7 km point where the main bridge is located.

Once we’ve crossed the Ramboda Oya, The Pekoe Trail continues on the main road for another 2 KM at which point we turn left following a village trail up the mountain passing by village homes and gardens on the way up.

As we ascend we’re gifted with glorious views of the Kotmale Dam, a large hydroelectric and irrigation dam, the second largest hydroelectric power station in Sri Lanka. Construction on the dam began in August 1979 and was ceremonially completed in February 1985. The dam forms the Kotmale Reservoir, which was renamed to Gamini Dissanayake Reservoir. Gamini Dissanayake was a prominent Sri Lankan politician.

This is a part of the country steeped in legend. Legend says ancient kings of Gampola Kingdom when threatened by enemies used to hide among the inaccessible terrain around Pussellawa and Kotmale. The Sinhalese prince Dutugamunu is said to have taken refuge in Kotmale to escape the wrath of his father, King Kavantissa. Kotmale is also where the Kandyan Kings hid the sacred tooth relic during periods of political instability, the last occasion being during the British occupation in 1815.

The stupa you see at the far end of the lake is called the Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya, an 84 m high stupa, with a 61 m diameter. It serves as a reminder of the eighteen shrines/temples that were submerged with the construction of the Kotmale reservoir.

We continue our gradual ascent on what is clearly an abandoned old British-engineered road. Though in disrepair and neglect, the road has the perfect gradient and width, ideal for bullock carts and small vehicles. The higher we climb the more overgrowth on the sides.

At 7 km point we reach the remains of an old tea factory which would otherwise be a serious contender for “tea factory with the best views” in all the Sri Lankan tea country.
This modern road is a mystery in itself. This road-to-nowhere was built to give access to the major underground power station half a kilometer away. It is a large and modern road because it was necessary at the time of building the power station, and the need for it expired when construction ended but the road still remains.

The next 2 kilometres we zig zag up the mountain on a recently cleared path until we reach the small village called Choicy. You’ve reached the highest point of the day exactly at the 9 KM point. From here we gradually descend to the town of Pundaloya below. The views across the valley are truly special. As we descend we pass by a small river and a shrine on our left hand side. We walk down this country road for approximately 4 km to the junction which marks the end of the stage.

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.