Tips for taking on Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak, also known as Sri Pada or Samanala Kanda [Butterfly mountain] is a tall mountain in the hill country in Sri Lanka. The mountain is called Sri Pada [sacred footprint] because there is a shape of a 5 ft footprint at the summit. Buddhists believe that it is the footprint of Lord Buddha, Hindu’s believe that it is the footprint of God Shiva and Christians and Islamists believe that it is that of Adam. There is a shrine at the summit to the Buddhist Deity ‘Saman’, who is charged with protecting the mountain.

Every year, thousands of devotees of all ages, sizes and physical capabilities climb to the top on foot to worship the footprint during the season, which starts on the full moon poya day in December and ends on the full moon ‘wesak’ poya day in May. It is possible to climb the mountain during the off season as well, but it is slightly more difficult due to rain, strong winds and mist. Also, the pathway is only lit up during the season time.

This was my first time climbing Adam’s Peak, which is unusual for me, having traveled all around Sri Lanka since I was a kid. It was the one place that I hadn’t got a chance to see yet. I’ve been talking about going for the last two years and finally, I added it to this year’s list of New Year’s resolutions! Here are a few tips from my experience to help you with your Adam’s Peak Adventure!

Tip 1 – DO NOT GO ON WEEKENDS!!!

Don’t do it, just don’t! Before we went, everyone told us not to go on a weekend, especially Saturdays because of the crowd. But we went anyway. We were informed that it would take 7 hours to climb to the top with a crowd. So we timed it and started the ascent at 11 PM so that we would make it to the summit to see the sunrise at 6 AM. But, the particular Saturday that we chose, was so overcrowded that it took us 10 and a half hours!!!! The last 500 meters took us about 4 hours. We were squashed into a stagnant crowd and ascended one step every 10-15 minutes. The last bit was more of a mental challenge than physical! So the best time to go is during the season, but on a weekday.

The crazy crowd!

Tip 2 – The Route

There are 6 trails to climb the mountain. The Hatton-Nallathanniya trail is around 5 KMs shorter than the others, but it is also the steepest, with over 5000 steps. It is also the most crowded route. The second most popular is the Ratnapura-Palabaddala trail.

 

The trails...

Tip 3 – Take a Jacket

It gets quite chilly at Adam’s Peak, especially at the summit, so yoga pants, a tshirt and a jacket/hoddie is the best combination.

Tip 4 – You have to see the sunrise!

Talk to the locals in the area and find out what time is best for you to start the climb on that day. We planned for 7 and it took us 10.5, so we weren’t at the summit for sunrise, but we were lucky enough to get a good view of it from where we were.

Worth it for this view!

Just before sunrise!

There isnt anything like it!

Tip 5 – Try the Beli Mal Tea

All along the way there are rest stops selling refreshments. You should have some Beli Mal Tea with a piece of hakuru [jaggery]. It’s a refreshing warm drink made from the bael flower. Promise me you’ll try it?!

Time for a break

A sign that says 'Lets drink Beli mal'

Tip 6 - Partake in the rituals

There are several rituals that the devotees undertake while going up. There’s no harm in joining them and getting the most out of your Adam’s Peak experience. Join them in the religious kavi [poems] and chants, light incense sticks and thread a needle through a pack of herbs at the ‘Indikatu pahana’ [Needle lamp] and string it along the pathway up. This was done in the olden days to show the path to the top so that no one would get lost. Similar to Hansel leaving a trail of breadcrumbs! You should also ring the bell at the summit. The number of times you ring the bell signifies how many times you’ve climbed Adam’s Peak. While we were there, one lady rang it 12 times!

Light incense sticks 

Threading the needing through the bag of herbs

...And string it along the path.

Ringing the bell at the summit

Tip 7 – Power through

You’re going to want to turn back at some point. I know I did. The last 500 meters was the most challenging, and I thought about quitting and turning back every 5 minutes. But you shouldn’t!  I powered through and I’m so glad I did. I felt accomplished and I was lucky enough to watch the sunrise…

Tip 8 – You can do it!

If you think you’re too old or unfit to climb Adam’s Peak, you’re wrong. If I can do it, and if devotees well over the age of 70 can do it, then so can you. It’s not a race. You could take your time, take breaks and do it at your own pace. It is not an impossible thing to do if you are willing!

Do it for this view!

Tip 9 – Get a foot massage on the way down!

One the way down, you could get a Siddhalepa herbal foot massage. It is perfect because at this point your legs will feel like blubber and your feet would be so tired after hours of going up and walking down.  

Hiking up Ritigala and Bible Rock

I’ve come to realize that the hardest part of sharing my travel experiences on a blog each month is figuring out how to start writing the posts! Picking a topic is actually one of the easier things to do because I always have new trips and experiences to write about. In the last few months I was lucky enough to cross two hikes off my bucket list. The first was the Ritigala climb and the second, Bible Rock. 

Located about an hour south of the Ancient city of Anuradhapura, Ritgala is the highest mountain in the Nothern part of Sri Lanka. The name ‘Ritigala’ is derived from the Pali word Arittha Pabbata which means dreadful mountain. The path we took was the one with the stone steps that led to the monastery ruins. 

Bible Rock or Bathalegala can be seen on the Kadugannawa stretch of the Colombo-Kandy road. It is a very prominent mountain with a flat top that stands out in its lush surrounding. Located in Aranayake, Bible Rock got its name because it resembles a lectern. 

Bible rock from the Colombo-Kandy road

The drive to the starting point of both the climbs were very different. The road to the base of Ritigala was a small, flat gravel road that ran through a forest. The road to the start of the Bible Rock climb on the other hand should only be approached with a 4 wheel drive vehicle because it was more of an uphill gravel road that was full of pot holes.

The road to the base of Ritigala

The road to the start of Bible Rock

If you asked me which climb I liked better, I wouldn’t be able to give you a straight answer. They were both amazing experiences but in different ways. The Ritigala climb was easier because we followed a stone pathway which wasn’t too steep. It went through an enchanting and mysterious forest where we came across pretty butterflies flitting around, small streams of clear cool water and rays of sunlight sweeping in through the cracks in the forest canopy. My Aunt Caryll called it a great place to meditate and clear your thoughts.

A well camouflaged butterfly...

The pathway through the magical forest!

 

The forest with the rich history

More steps along the path...

"This is a good place to meditate"

There are many myths associated with Ritigala. One such myth is that it is home to a powerful medicinal herb called Sansevi that is believed to give long life and cure all human pain. There is a pocket of vegetation with medicinal herbs that is different to the rest of the growth in the mountain range. It is believed that this was accidently dropped off the Himalaya Mountain that Lord Hanuman, an ape-like humanoid with supernatural powers was carrying from India to Sita Eliya in the hill country. The vegetation in Ritigala is said to be protected by the Yakkas who are the guardian spirits of the mountain. 

The Bible Rock climb in contrast was more adventurous and off the beaten track. There used to be a pathway that led to a small temple at the top, but there has long since had a Buddhist Monk there. Because no one uses the path anymore it is overgrown and at some points we had to wade through the plants that were blocking our way. There were even points at which we had to tip toe around the edge of rocks on the tree roots that were wrapped around it because it was the only way to continue going up! 

A really small girl or a really big plant?!

My hiking crew...!

 

When you compare the view from the top, Bible Rock was a clear winner because all you see for miles around are valleys and mountains. The view was so amazing that all we wanted to do was sit and admire it. Once we got to the Monastery ruins in Ritigala, I was a little underwhelmed because I was expecting a little more. We also weren’t allowed to go beyond that point because it is a strict natural reserve. 

Our first glance at the view

On top of the world!

The valley and the mountains that surrounded it...

The abandoned temple

Head in the clouds...

Soaking in the amazing view

Both hikes were amazing in their own way and I would definitely recommend that you experience it if you get the chance to. Just remember to carry lots of drinking water with you!