HORTON PLAINS

January 20, 2023

HORTON PLAINS

This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka that has been declared a World Heritage Site

Horton plains is very popular among hikers.

Entrance to Horton Plain

Location - Central province, Sri Lanka
Nearest city - Ohiya and Nuwara Eliye
Area - 3,160 ha (12.2 sq mi)
Governing body - Department of wildlife conservation

⭐Major attraction are scenic spots such as Baker's falls and the two spectacular panoramic view point, called "Big World's End" and " Little world's End".

History of Horton Plains

The original name of the area was Maha Eliya thanna (Great Open Plain) . But in the British period the Plains were renamed after Sir Robert Wilmot - Horton.

Since Sri Lanka has a long non-written history. There is a significant and logical folk story. Which also goes with the epic "Ramayana" with some deviation. It is believed that Thotupala mountain in Horton plains to be the place where King Rawana landed his aircraft.

Baker's Fall in Sri Lanka

The waterfall formed by the upper reached of Belihul Oya, which is a tributary of the Walawe River. The picturesque waterfall is 20 meters high. The moisture from Baker's Falls plays a crucial role in the local plant and animal communities.

Baker's Fall

Big World's End

World 's End ,a sheer precipice within the park

As already mentioned. The panoramic views tend to be obscured by the mist from around 10 am onwards. Thus, you should start your hike at the car park about 7.00 a.m. to be sure to reach Big world's end at about 9.00 a.m. before the clouds roll in. Almost every day, a huge blanket of mist then starts folding over the vista before noon and soon covers the entire plains for the rest of the day. However, the dynamic whether, the sudden alternation of blue skye and misty clouds makes the hike on Horton plains even more exciting.

Little World's End

At Red Bridge is Little World's End. Actually, there are two World's End s at Horton Plains. Both escarpments along the circular trail are situated at southwestern edge of the Horton plains at an altitude of 2140 m. The smaller escarpment called "Little World's End" drops 274 m vertically.

Little World's End

Chimney pool

The pool is in abundance with Kekatiya plants (Aponogeton jacobsenii) which also can be seen in the stream running along the trail. Dwarf Bamboo (Arundinaria densifolia), known as "Kuru Una" in Sinhala, also grows in the marshy bottom lands next to the streams and ponds. The young leafs of sri lanka's smalled bamboo provide a favourite forage for sambar deer.