5 Things You’ll Love About Hatton On Your Solo Trip
Tucked away between towering mountains of jungle and tea, Hatton is one of the most beautiful and off-the-beaten-path places to visit on Sri Lanka. For solo travellers, it’s a paradise. Cocooned spaces of comforts, enriching excursions and a town all to yourself, enjoy a laid-back adventure in the hills. If you’re feeling adventurous during your solo travel around the island, here are some amazing experiences to partake in while in Hatton. From scenic train rides to plenty of mountains to hike, explore Hatton during your holiday on the island.
Train Ride From Colombo To Hatton
Despite its size, it can be tough getting around Sri Lanka, and one of the best ways to avoid congested roads is to take the train from Colombo to Hatton. The train ride takes approximately 4 – 5 hours, but it is far more pleasant than driving and definitely far more picturesque. The train will move through cities, farmland, and forests, but the most beautiful leg of the journey is from Kandy to Hatton, as you will get fantastic views of the hill country. If you like you can also just take the train from Kandy and from here the journey will only take about 2 hours.
Tip – Prebook your train tickets to Hatton.
Adam’s Peak
Only an hour drive from Hatton, Adam’s Peak, also known as Sri Pada, is the most iconic mountain in Sri Lanka. Sri Pada translates to “sacred footprint”, a reference to the impression of a footprint that is found on top of the rock. Each religion has a different belief on who the footprint belongs to: Buddhists believe it is the Buddha’s, Hindus believe it is that of Hanuman or Shiva, while Christians and Muslims believe it is Adam’s footprint– regardless of the religion, most Sri Lankans make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. The season to climb Adam’s Peak is from December – April, as that is when visibility is at its best.
Tip – It’s one of the best places to watch the sunrise from. Here are some of our other favourite locations to catch the sunrise from.
Hike Through Tea Estates
When one thinks of Hatton the first thing that comes to mind is tea. The whole region is surrounded by green hills covered in acres of tea bushes. One of the best things you can do is walk or hike through a tea plantation, where you will be treated to some amazing views. Be sure to go in the morning though, as the mountains begin to get covered by mist the later it gets.
Tip – End your tea estate tour with a visit to the factory, where you can even experience a tea-tasting!
Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains is one of the few national parks in the Central Province and was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 because of its biodiversity. Like Adam’s Peak- and many other sites in the country- Horton Plains National Park is entrenched in folklore. It is said that King Ravana, from the Epic Ramayan, landed his fabled chariot on a mountain in the park after kidnapping princess Sita. To punish Ravana, Hanuman set fire to Horton Plains which had burned for a very long time and this is the reason why the upper layer of soil has a grey-ish tinge to it. Hike along the 9.5km trail, where the famed World’s End and Baker’s Falls lies. Be sure to visit the park by 6am, and a thick blanket of mist comes rolling in by 10am, which will obstruct your view. Additionally, you’ll also see endemic flora and fauna too, early visitors are often greeted by grazing sambar deer.
Tip – Carrying plastics, cigarettes, lighters, etc. into the park are prohibited, and will be confiscated if found on you.
Castlereagh Reservoir
The Castlereagh Reservoir is one of Sri Lanka’s best-kept secrets, the clear water of the reservoir reflects the surrounding green hills making it look like something straight out of a fairytale. If you want to take a break from the long walks and hikes this is the place for you. You can unwind by the banks of the reservoir or you can kayak through its cool waters– either way this will be a very relaxing excursion.
Tip – Unwind with a warm cup of Ceylon tea at Ceylon Tea Trails, located in proximity to the reservoir.
