Hanthana Mountain Hike Guide
After a scenic train ride through Sri Lanka’s lush hill country, my wife, my older son, and I arrived in Kandy—Sri Lanka’s cultural capital where colour, sound, and traffic can overwhelm the senses. We grabbed a taxi straight to our stay, Hill Paradise Hanthana, and met our guide, Ranjith, that evening. Our hotel kindly packed a snack bag for breakfast so we could start early and strong. The plan: hike Hanthana at sunrise.
Why Hike Hanthana Mountain?
Hanthana offers panoramic views over Kandy, tea estates, and rolling ridges—a quick escape from the city’s bustle into serenity. Trails range from short and direct to longer, more adventurous routes through tea country and forest.
- Entrance Fee: None
- Time Required: Varies by route
- Short Route: ~2 hours, ~4 km (out-and-back)
- Long Route: ~3.5 hours, ~7 km (one-way)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Facilities: None (carry water & snacks)
- Best Time: December–March (dry season); early starts help beat heat & haze
- Guide: Recommended for the long route (we hiked with Ranjith)
Beginning Our Family Adventure
We set off at sunrise with our snack bags and water. Ranjith reminded us to wear long pants and apply leech repellent—solid advice in hill-country forests. Mist lifted from the valleys as we moved from gravel paths into jungle shade, then into terraced tea plantations. My son loved Ranjith’s stories about life in these hills; we paused beneath a tree for tea before pressing on.
Where to Start the Hanthana Hike
One of the most common questions is: where does the trail actually begin? We explored two practical options—each suits a different style of hike.
1) Short Route (Guide Optional) — Tea Museum / Hanthana Hiking Road
- Start at the Ceylon Tea Museum and follow the narrow Hanthana Hiking Road uphill.
- This section overlaps an early stage of the Pekoe Trail and is ideal for solo travellers or families wanting a clear, direct path.
- Hike up to the Hanthana viewpoint and return the same way (out-and-back).
2) Long Route (Guide Recommended) — Sarasavigama Trailhead
- Ranjith drove us to the quieter Sarasavigama area to begin a one-way adventure.
- The path weaves through tea estates, small shrines, streams, and forest. Wayfinding can be vague—a local guide is essential.
- Both routes merge near the lemongrass plateau before the final steep ascent to the summit.
The Trail & The Pekoe Connection
We chose the long one-way route—a more adventurous line that really benefits from having a guide because sections can be faint or overgrown. Forest roots, small streams, and a breezy field of lemongrass led us towards the crest. Along the way, Ranjith pointed out that parts of Hanthana overlap an early stage of The Pekoe Trail—Sri Lanka’s new ~300 km long-distance walking route through the central highlands, with a stage that begins near the Ceylon Tea Museum. Knowing our family hike touched a segment of this iconic trail made the day feel bigger than a single summit.
The final push was steep—but the reward was a sweeping view of Kandy below and wave after wave of green ridgelines beyond. In the distance, we spotted the dramatic spine of
Katusu Konda (Knife’s Edge), one of Sri Lanka’s most thrilling (and risky) ridge walks. Seeing it from afar was awe enough for our son!
Things to Do Around Hanthana
Ceylon Tea Museum (Kandy)
A classic stop before or after the hike; close to an early stage of the Pekoe Trail.
Katusu Konda (Knife’s Edge)
Photogenic narrow ridge; admire from Hanthana or attempt only with a local guide.
Notes for Solo Travellers
We loved Hanthana as a family, but it’s also excellent for solo travellers. The short route (out-and-back) is straightforward and can be done without a guide in the dry season. Start early, pack water, tell your accommodation your plan, and download offline maps. If you want more adventure or are hiking in shoulder/wet months, hire a trusted local guide like Ranjith for safety and navigation.
Our Takeaway
Hanthana delivered everything we wanted from Kandy’s hill country: big views, quiet forest, tea-estate charm, and a satisfying climb. The snack bag from Hill Paradise Hanthana fuelled our sunrise start; Ranjith’s guidance kept the longer line safe and stress-free; and sharing the summit as a family turned a hike into a memory. Whether you come with loved ones or set out solo, Hanthana (with a taste of the Pekoe Trail) is a must-do.