Kirigalpoththa Mountain - Second highest peak in Sri Lanka

Kirigalpoththa Mountain is second highest mountain of Sri Lanka and is also the highest mountain in the country whose summit is accessible to the general public (the highest point, Pidurutalagala, is occupied by a military base and off-limits to the public). Situated in Horton Plains national park of Sri Lanka. Highest mountain of Sri Lanka is Piduruthalagala Mountain. It's situated in Nuwara-eliya District. Its 2524meters (8330 Ft) high above sea level. Kirigalpoththa is second and about 2388meters (7881 Ft) high from sea level. This mountain also situated at Nuwara-eliya district of Sri Lanka. Third of Sri Lanka is Thotupola Mountain and situated at east side of the Horton plains. Kirigalpoththa is situated west side of the Horton plains.

Trail to summit of this Kirigalpoththa is a good reflection of the raw natural beauty of Horton Plains. And this route is going through wet grass land areas, cloud forests and scrubs. And travelers can see various wild flowers also. Visitors can enter to this location after getting permission from either Pattipola Entrance or Ohiya Entrance of Horton Plains National Park. The trail difficulty of this Kirigalpoththa is moderate. Elevation gain of Kirigalpoththa is around 250 meters and travelers have to spend around 3-4 hours to reach its summit.  However, trail to Kirigalpoththa is giving an unforgettable experience to travelers, because travelers can pass many streams, forests and many wild flowers. Kirigalpoththa consist several beauties and high amount of endemic varieties. Especially endemic birds, endemic plants, endemic animals are present in the Mountain. Out of those that can be seen are Binara flowers, Maharathmal flowers (Rhododendron Arboretum), deer, horn chameleon, jungle fowl which also endemic varieties can be found at the Mountain. Leopards are kept for this place for keep naturally in environmental equilibrium. Travel to this place is somewhat different. Need to come to the entrance of Horton Plains. Then have to go to top of the forest on walk about 7 km (one way). There is no other clear way to travel. But another difficult way also has via Diyagama and Agarapathana area. It’s very difficult journey and more information cannot be retrieved.