Is Stage 1 of the Pekoe Trail open for solo hikers?

Yes, Stage 1 from Kandy to Galaha is fully open as of April 2026. The Hanthana mountain range trail is a beautiful twelve kilometer trek through pine forests. It is generally safe for solo hikers, but I recommend starting early in the morning by 7:00 AM to avoid the midday heat and afternoon mist. The trail is well marked but using the official app for GPS is highly recommended.