Sri Lanka · HIKING & TREKKING

The 15 Best Hikes & Treks in Sri Lanka

38 tours  ·  from $12 a head

Little Adam's Peak in an hour, Ella Rock in three, Adam's Peak overnight in the dark with several thousand pilgrims. The 15 below are sorted by how hard they actually are, what they cost and what time you have to get up.

Sunrise or Sunset Hike Pidurangala Rock with Scenic Views - The early tuk-tuk ride sets the tone
Hiking & Trekking, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sigiriya

Sunrise or Sunset Hike Pidurangala Rock with Scenic Views

1.Sunrise or Sunset Hike Pidurangala Rock with Scenic Views

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 125 reviews · 3 hours · from $18Our pick

Join Shan Jeep Safari & Tour for a private three-hour hike up Pidurangala Rock, with hotel pickup, tuk-tuk transport, an English-speaking local guide, water, and help on the final rock scramble. Choose sunrise or sunset for wide views of Sigiriya Rock, jungle, villages, and lakes. Bring sturdy shoes and a warm layer.

“Prompt pickup from our hotel. Taken up and down Pidurangala Rock with ease. Given water and even provided umbrellas when it rained on us. We were the first people to make it to the to of the rock that morning. Entrance fee is 1000 rupees each (just over £11 GBP) steps initially but then a slight climb on rocks towards the top. Sadly we didn’t get a sunrise but we still enjoyed the hike.”

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Night Hike to see Elusive & Rare Loris in Sigiriya - Starting at Rocko’s Vegetarian Cafe
Hiking & Trekking, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sigiriya

Night Hike to see Elusive & Rare Loris in Sigiriya

2.Night Hike to see Elusive & Rare Loris in Sigiriya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · 1.5 hours

Meet at Rocko’s Vegetarian Cafe near Pidurangala and follow an English-speaking naturalist guide into the jungle after dark. You’ll receive a short loris briefing, use provided headlamps, and search the trees for these shy nocturnal primates. The walk usually lasts 1.5 to 2 hours and is limited to eight people.

“We loved this tour and our guides. The tour company (Back of Beyond) is actually more of a conservation organization. They had a little presentation before our tour about the Loris and what they are doing to protect it. Then they gave us all head lamps and sent us on our way (with two guides) We did the tour on the same day as a big rain storm so many loris were tucked away and hiding. We hiked around with our guides for about an hour. Saw many sleepy birds, some bioluminescent insects, and a couple of unique nests, but no loris... until we did! We had all but given…”

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Ella: Private Ella Rock Sunrise Hike - All Inclusive - The pre-dawn pickup and tuk tuk ride
Hiking & Trekking, Multi-Day Sri Lanka Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella

Ella: Private Ella Rock Sunrise Hike – All Inclusive

3.Private Ella Rock Sunrise Hike – All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 56 reviews · 4 hours · from $35

Meet your guide before dawn, ride a tuk tuk from Ella, and follow the dark trail to Ella Rock. Guides such as Pubba and Siva help with route-finding, breaks, local plants, and sunrise timing. Expect a steep, sometimes technical hike, a snack, photo stops, and hotel drop-off after four hours.

“I totally recommend this tour, without a guide would have been impossible to do the trekking. He was friendly and helpful but gave us the space to enjoy the experience in full. He waited for us to take pictures or admire the viewings. He explained us about some trees, mountains, their culture... We were happy we did it :) Sorry I can't remember his name,”

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Sigiriya Hike & Minneriya Safari Private Full Day Tour - A Sri Lankan lunch between the major stops
Full-Day, Hiking & Trekking, Minneriya & Kaudulla Safaris, National Park Safaris, Private, Safari Tours in Anuradhapura, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sigiriya Tours in Anuradhapura, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Anuradhapura

Sigiriya Hike & Minneriya Safari Private Full Day Tour

4.Sigiriya Hike & Minneriya Safari Private Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $60Top rated

Travel from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya Lion Rock with a private driver, climb to the ancient palace ruins, then enjoy a Sri Lankan lunch before a four-hour jeep safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla. Kumaran is one named guide associated with the tour. Park and rock admission cost extra.

“It was a great day and Kumaran was great at showing us the nearby sights and attractions. We didn't get to see Minneriya national park on the day, so went to Kaudulla park instead which was still great, and he took good care on the trip!”

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Sigiriya Lion Rock Hike & Minneriya National Park Safari - Why an early start makes a difference
Hiking & Trekking, Minneriya & Kaudulla Safaris, National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Sigiriya, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sigiriya

Sigiriya Lion Rock Hike & Minneriya National Park Safari

5.Sigiriya Lion Rock Hike & Minneriya National Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 55 reviews · 10 hours · from $40

Start with a three-hour climb at Sigiriya Lion Rock, then pause for lunch before a three to four-hour private jeep safari at Minneriya, Kaudulla, Gal Oya, or Hurulu Eco Park. Guides such as Puncha, Dananjaya, and Sudee are praised for spotting elephants and adapting the day to weather and road conditions.

“Sigiriya Lion Rock was great but mostly we liked Safari Tour. We had a great day with Dilum. We saw a lot of elephants. We recommend it!”

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Tuk-Tuk Safari Liptons seat,Tea Fields Hike,TeaFactory Tour - Reaching Lipton Seat and Its Seven-District View
Hiking & Trekking, National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tea Plantations & Factories, Tea Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Ella, Tuk Tuk Tours

Tuk-Tuk Safari Liptons seat,Tea Fields Hike,TeaFactory Tour

6.Tuk-Tuk Safari Liptons seat,Tea Fields Hike,TeaFactory Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 46 reviews · 7 hours · from $60

Leave Ella by tuk-tuk for a countryside ride through Bandarawela or Haputale. Walk tea-estate paths with an English-speaking guide, enjoy a picnic, reach Lipton Seat, then tour Dambatenne Tea Factory, built in 1890. The day ends in Haputale, so plan your onward transport rather than expecting a return to Ella.

“Excellent experience despite heavy rain. Our guide did a wonderful job working around the cloud cover and rain, to create an interesting and fun tour”

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Night Hike to see Elusive & Rare Loris in Sigiriya - Starting at Rocko’s Vegetarian Cafe
Hiking & Trekking, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sigiriya

Night Hike to see Elusive & Rare Loris in Sigiriya

7.Night Hike to see Elusive & Rare Loris in Sigiriya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · from $29

Meet at ROCKO’S Vegetarian Cafe near Back of Beyond Pidurangala for a short loris presentation, then follow a naturalist-trained guide through a jungle trail after dark. Red or infrared lights help you spot the endangered Grey Slender Loris without disturbing it. The walk lasts about 90 minutes, with groups limited to five.

“Really interesting intro talk in a nice tree house setting, lovely well informed staff walked us through the jungle undergrowth skillfully spotting Loris. We included dinner which was really nice, great staff too”

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From Ella : Sun rise Hike to Ella Rock - Arriving at Ella Rock for Sunrise
Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella

From Ella : Sun rise Hike to Ella Rock

8.Sun rise Hike to Ella Rock

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 36 reviews · 4 hours · from $19

Start before dawn with pickup in Ella, then ride 20 minutes by tuk tuk to the trail. Your English-speaking guide leads you through tea plantations and forest to Ella Rock, where sunrise views open across Ella valley. Nuwan Indika is one guide named for this experience. Allow four hours, plus about $3 for entry.

“Amazing sunrise hike to Ella Rock! The experience was well organized and the view at the top was absolutely stunning. A special thanks to our guide Nuwan Indika, who was very kind, professional, and attentive throughout the hike. Highly recommended! 🌄✨”

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Knuckles Mountain Hiking - From tea fields to bamboo forest
Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours in Kandy

Knuckles Mountain Hiking

9.Knuckles Mountain Hiking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $90

This private day hike from Kandy follows changing terrain through rice and tea fields, bamboo, cloud forest, and river country, often including a waterfall swim. Guide Niro, also referred to as Niroshan or Nero, leads routes of about five to 13 kilometers. Transport, picnic lunch, water, and snacks are included, while hiking shoes and rain gear are not.

“Thank you, Niro, for this experience. The hike itself was beautiful and breathtaking. I did the waterfall hike. In Knuckles Forest, you definitely need a guide! The route can be quite ‘dangerous’ at times, but with a guide like Niro, you don't have to worry about anything. ERead more”

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Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy - The tea trail climbs into quieter country
Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours in Kandy

Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy

10.Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $100

Leave Kandy early for a private Knuckles Mountain trek with a professional guide. Walk tea trails, rocky paths, evergreen dwarf forest, wooden bridges, and quiet woodland before stopping for a picnic near a waterfall and natural pool or at a peak viewpoint. Hotel transfers, lunch, drinks, park fees, and flexible pacing are included.

“We had a crappy weather when we did the tour on 1st Jan 2024 - it was raining the whole time in the jungle. However, we still had a fantastic time being out in the nature and hiking through the trail. The knuckles reserve is very clean, and wRead more”

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From Kandy: All Inclusive Adams Peak Epic Guided Hike - Leaving Kandy after dark
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Hill Country Tours, Multi-Day Sri Lanka Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Kandy

From Kandy: All Inclusive Adams Peak Epic Guided Hike

11.All Inclusive Adams Peak Epic Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 25 reviews · 15 hours · from $100

Leave Kandy late at night for a guided ascent of Adam’s Peak, also called Sri Pada. Your private guide meets you at Nallatanniya, sets a manageable pace, and helps you reach the summit for sunrise. The trip includes private air-conditioned transport, water, refreshments, breakfast, and a guide such as Priyantha.

“The experience was excellent from start to finish. The driver, Ahamed, provided a safe and smooth transfer, was punctual, and very attentive to my needs. The guide, Priyantha, was knowledgeable and shared interesting facts about the places we visited. He was especially helpful in finding the best spots to watch the sunrise. While the activity is a bit physically challenging, it is absolutely worth the effort. I highly recommend this tour!”

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Sigiriya Rock Hike & Minneriya Elephant Safari – Day Tour - Climbing Sigiriya Rock and its 5th-century ruins
Hiking & Trekking, Minneriya & Kaudulla Safaris, National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Sigiriya, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sigiriya

Sigiriya Rock Hike & Minneriya Elephant Safari – Day Tour

12.Sigiriya Rock Hike & Minneriya Elephant Safari – Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 15 reviews · 6 hours · from $57

Start with a private pickup in Sigiriya, Dambulla, Habarana, Inamaluwa, or Kimbissa. Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock with an English-speaking driver, then ride a 4x4 through Minneriya National Park for elephants, deer, buffalo, monkeys, crocodiles, and birds. The official Sigiriya audio guide is optional, and lunch may be arranged separately.

“Today driver Dilum supported us for tour of Sigiriya rock and for guiding in Minneriya safari park. He has good experience for this guide and knowledge about the animals in safari. We had nice experience, especially excellent for Safari tour. We found a lot of elephants in close within 2m and others. Like chameleon, eagle, buffalo, birds, peacock,etc.”

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Knuckles Spice Trail Trek from Kandy - Tea plantations, pine, and eucalyptus forest
Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours in Kandy

Knuckles Spice Trail Trek from Kandy

13.Knuckles Spice Trail Trek from Kandy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $85

Join guide Lakmal and driver Leslie for a private 7 to 9 hour Knuckles trek from Kandy. Walk tea, pine, and eucalyptus trails, swim in a natural pool, cross rice terraces, visit village and spice gardens, and enjoy a picnic or home-cooked lunch. Strong fitness is needed.

“We had such an amazing time on this trip. I would highly recommend this trek, Lakmal really knows his stuff and is a joy to hike with. The highlight was the swim in the natural pool and the home cooked meal at our lively hosts. Would 100% recommend and do again when we come back to Sri Lanka!”

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Adam’s Peak Night Hike Experience [One Day & ALL INCLUSIVE] - The first 45 minutes at Maha Saman Dewalaya
1-Day Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Multi-Day Sri Lanka Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle

Adam’s Peak Night Hike Experience [One Day & ALL INCLUSIVE]

14.Adam’s Peak Night Hike Experience [One Day & ALL INCLUSIVE]

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $199

Leave from Imal Guest25/2E in Weligama for a private, all-inclusive night hike to Adam’s Peak. Begin the 7-kilometer climb around 2:00 AM, tackle about 5,500 steps, and aim for sunrise near the summit. A driver handles the long South Coast transfer, with the outing lasting roughly 12 to 18 hours.

“perfect Experienced and it was totally Night Hiking Session and it was awesome experience on this Asian Earth. Perfect timing and nice management ans comfortable ride from Weligama to Adams Peak and come back before the lunch.”

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Ella: Waterfall hunting Hike to Bambarakanda and Lanka Falls - The 75-minute train ride to Ohiya
Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Waterfall Tours

Ella: Waterfall hunting Hike to Bambarakanda and Lanka Falls

15.Waterfall hunting Hike to Bambarakanda and Lanka Falls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 8 hours · from $60

Spend eight hours exploring Sri Lanka’s hill country with a private English-speaking guide such as Sampa or Dinuka. Ride the train to Ohiya if you choose that option, walk forest trails and Devil’s Staircase, visit Bambarakanda Falls, swim at Lanka Ella Falls, and finish with lunch at a small local restaurant.

“The trip was absolutely amazing. We visited some of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka — the country’s highest waterfall and then a hidden waterfall deep in the jungle, where we could even go for a swim. The views were stunning, and our guide was fantastic — he shared so many interesting facts and showed us various plants along the way. To top it all off, the experience ended with a delicious homemade lunch, which was the perfect finish to an unforgettable day.”

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New in Hiking & Trekking

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★ 5.0Knuckles Mountain Range: Kotaganga Waterfall Chain HikeFrom $803 reviews
★ 5.0Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from KandyFrom $1086 reviews
★ 4.8Kandy to Knuckles: Overnight Trekking & Hiking AdventureFrom $2106 reviews
★ 4.2Little Adam’s Peak and Nine Arches Bridge HikingFrom $864 reviews
★ 5.0Explore Ella: Rock Hike, Loop, Falls, Nine arch & Train ViewFrom $453 reviews

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