Central Province · Sri Lanka
Hanthana Mountain Range
HikingTea CountryScenic ViewsNatureSunrise viewpointFree entry
A ridge of peaks reaching 1,467m immediately south-west of Kandy, offering half-day hiking trails through tea estates with views over the Kandy valley.
Duration
Half day (3-4 hours return)
Entry Fee
Free
Difficulty
moderate
Budget
free
About Hanthana Mountain Range
The Hanthana Mountain Range runs south-west of Kandy city, with Hanthana Peak rising to 1,467 metres. The range is part of the Hanthana Conservation Forest, which covers approximately 700 hectares of secondary forest, tea estates, and montane grassland. The most popular trail starts from near the University of Peradeniya campus and takes 3 to 4 hours return to the summit. The trail passes through a working tea estate managed by the Hanthana Tea Company, where a tea factory visit can be incorporated. The summit ridge provides a view north over the Kandy valley, including Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth, and south toward the Knuckles and Nawalapitiya tea hills. The trail is unmarked in sections, so going with a guide or using GPS navigation is advisable for first-time visitors.
Highlights
- 1,467m peak with views over the Kandy valley
- 3-4 hour return trail through tea estates
- Hanthana Tea Company factory on the route
- Accessible from Kandy city (30-minute tuk-tuk to trailhead)
Practical Tips
Start the hike by 6:30am to reach the summit before morning mist and heat build up.
Hire a guide from the Peradeniya University area or through guesthouses in Kandy for approximately LKR 1,500-2,500.
Carry 1.5 litres of water and a snack — there are no vendors on the trail.
Leeches are active on the trail during wet months (May-September) — wear long socks and use salt or repellent.
Explore by Interest
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months Shoulder Avoid
Best time of day: January to April and October for driest conditions and best views
Location
Planning Info
- Crowd level
- Usually quiet
- Physical difficulty
- moderate
- Setting
- outdoor
- Child friendly
- No
- Senior friendly
- No
- Guide required
- Yes
- Budget level
- free
- Photography
- ★★★★☆
☀ Sunrise viewpoint🌅 Sunset viewpoint
Plan Your Visit
Want to include Hanthana Mountain Range in your Sri Lanka itinerary? Our team in Kandy builds personalised plans — no booking fees, no online payment.
ALSO IN THE AREA
Nearby Destinations
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
A 104-hectare protected cloud forest reserve directly above central Kandy, with 68 recorded bird species and multiple walking trails through bamboo groves and tropical trees.
Explore →Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya
Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden covering 147 acres on a meander of the Mahaweli River, established in 1821 with over 4,000 plant species including a 350-year-old Java fig tree.
Explore →Knuckles Mountain Range
A UNESCO World Heritage mountain range northeast of Kandy with peaks up to 1,863m, covering 155 sq km of cloud forest with over 34 endemic vertebrate species and 20+ trekking routes.
Explore →PLAN YOUR VISIT
Ready to explore Hanthana Mountain Range?
Tell us your travel dates, group size, and preferences. Our team in Kandy will build a personalised itinerary with accommodation, transport, and entry tickets — no booking fees, no online payment required.