Riverston (Matale)

 Riverston (Matale)

On my trip around the island, hiking in Riverston, Matale, Sri Lanka, was an unanticipated delight. Riverston is best described by the idiom "off the beaten path," according to many people. After a lengthy drive, we found a remote parking spot and started hiking up the Riverston highlands in search of a peak. Only a few locals and no other tourists were observed working in the fields while we were there. One of the best off-the-beaten-path activities in Sri Lanka is this.

SRI LANKA'S RIVERSTON, MATALE HIKE

The Riverston Telecommunications Tower is where the walk in Riverston starts. Our vehicle was parked by a small river, and we started our ascent of the mountains from there.

In order to go to the Riverston mountains, we crossed the river, traveled through farms, and through rice fields. There isn't much signage, but we were lucky to have our guide Lukobanda to lead the way. Locals claim that the Riverston Peak Hike is the only name that exists for the hike.

The Knuckles mountain range and the adjacent hills may be seen from the trek. One of the nearby quick day walks is this one. A steep 300-meter plunge marks the hike's conclusion, which made for some pretty incredible images. From here, you can unwind while admiring views of the Knuckles Mountain Range, the terraced rice fields, and the Thelgamuwa Valley. The Worlds End is the name of this mountain's highest point.

Although the 5 kilometer hike is not very challenging, you should be ready to perspire in the tropical weather due to the continual slope.

The hike is mostly through a forest, which makes it extremely humid and sweaty. Solid shoes are required because the ground is covered in roots and dirt. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and at least 2 liters of water.

The best part of this Riverston trek was that we just had to work our way up the mountain for a little more than an hour to reach the breathtaking vista. It was a substantial prize for very little work!

If you want to plan a trip, there is a pretty amazing tour that departs from Kandy and takes you on a hike to view the "Knuckles" at World's End. This full-day excursion, which includes pick-up and drop-off from Kandy, takes you along the ridges of the Knuckles mountain range as you take in the breathtaking vistas.