Hanthana range and Udawattakele forest near Kandy good hikes straight from the city and are they safe and worth it
I love a hike I can do straight from town without a big expedition and based in Kandy I read about the Hanthana mountain range and the Udawattakele forest reserve right behind the temple Are these good walks how hard is the Hanthana range hike what is the Udawattakele royal forest like is it safe to walk alone what wildlife and views and how do I access them and is June okay for them People who hiked around Kandy please tell me about these city edge trails
6 Answers from travellers
Kandy trekking guide so the city edge trails picture Two very different walks UDAWATTAKELE is the historic forest reserve right behind the Temple of the Tooth a former royal forest now a protected urban rainforest you can walk its trails in a couple of hours easy gentle paths through genuine forest in the heart of the city wildlife (monkeys giant squirrels birds monitor lizards snakes so watch your step) ancient trees a pond and a real sense of jungle minutes from the temple it is lovely and accessible HANTHANA is the mountain RANGE on the southern edge of Kandy a proper HIKE a range of peaks with the classic ridge walk a moderately challenging climb (a few hours steepish in parts) rewarded with superb panoramic views over Kandy the lake and the hills it is a real hill walk not a stroll fitness and decent shoes needed Worth it YES both Udawattakele for an easy forest immersion without leaving the city and Hanthana for a proper rewarding half day hike with the big views together they are a great hiking base from Kandy Safe alone UDAWATTAKELE generally fine in daylight on the main trails BUT a few sensible cautions go in daylight not alone if possible (it is forest in a city be sensible about your belongings and the odd unsavoury character as in any urban park) the monkeys can be cheeky with food HANTHANA go with company or a guide ideally do not solo a mountain hike without telling someone tell your guesthouse your plan carry water phone and start early for either a guide adds safety route knowledge and the wildlife and history Access and June Udawattakele has an entrance (a small fee) near the temple Hanthana is accessed from the Kandy edge (the university and Hanthana road side) a guide or your guesthouse arranges the start point JUNE it is the wet season in the hills now so expect rain and mud and leeches in the forest (the leech threads tuck trousers into socks use repellent salt) go in a morning window before the afternoon rain and the views from Hanthana need a clear spell so the answer yes do both Udawattakele for the easy royal forest behind the temple and Hanthana for the proper view rewarded hill hike go in the morning be sensible about solo safety and the monsoon mud and leeches and you have superb hiking straight from Kandy
The Hanthana hike is steepish but doable at a steady pace just allow time and take plenty of water in the heat the views over Kandy and the lake from the top are absolutely worth the climb a great half day from the city
Udawattakele for the easy royal forest behind the temple and Hanthana for the proper view rewarded hike go in the morning and mind the monsoon mud and leeches this is exactly the city edge trail info I wanted a jungle behind the temple is brilliant thank you
The watch your belongings and the monkeys point in Udawattakele is fair it is forest in a city so be sensible as in any urban park keep valuables zipped and do not flash food at the monkeys but it is a wonderful easy walk
For Hanthana the early morning start is also about the views the hills cloud over and rain comes in the afternoon especially this season so a dawn start gives you the clear panorama and you are down before the weather closes in
Udawattakele is a birdwatchers and botanists delight as well as a walk the forest right in the city has lovely birds big old trees and the giant squirrels a peaceful green escape from the Kandy bustle do not miss it if you like nature
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