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Pettigala Kandy – Hike & Visit to the Bambaragala Buddhist Temple | Sri Lanka
Pettigala Kandy is a hiking area in Pethiyagala Teldeniya district near Kandy, Sir Lanka. Read this complete guide to the Pettigala trek for epic views in Sri Lanka's central highlands, plus a stop at the incredible Bambaragala Buddhist temple. After cruising down the idyllic surf coast of Sri Lanka's west coast, it was time to head into the highlands. If you read some of my other travel guides and adventure blogs, you already know that I prefer hitting the hills and trails to hanging out on the beach. So as soon as we arrived in Kandy we started looking for hiking options. The Pettigala hike in…
Pettigala Kandy – Hike & Visit to the Bambaragala Buddhist Temple | Sri Lanka
Pettigala Kandy is a hiking area in Pethiyagala Teldeniya district near Kandy, Sir Lanka. Read this complete guide to the Pettigala trek for epic views in Sri Lanka's central highlands, plus a stop at the incredible Bambaragala Buddhist temple.
After cruising down the idyllic surf coast of Sri Lanka's west coast, it was time to head into the highlands. If you read some of my other travel guides and adventure blogs, you already know that I prefer hitting the hills and trails to hanging out on the beach. So as soon as we arrived in Kandy we started looking for hiking options.
The Pettigala trek near Kandy was a much-needed refreshment for me, offering views that truly exceeded my expectations! In this quick guide, I will explain how to get to the Pettigala trailhead as well as some information and photos of the Bambaragala Buddhist Temple at the start of the trail.
How to get from Kandy to Pettigala
Pettigala trek is located about 20 kilometers from Kandy in Pethiyagala Teldeniya district. However, since most people tend to stay in Kandy, I will give directions from here.
By far the best and most convenient way to get to the Pettigala trek from Kandy is by public bus. I suggest walking to the central Kandy Market bus stop, where dozens of buses depart on various routes. Ask for a bus to “Digana”. A bus should leave approximately every 30 minutes.
This bus route travels east along the Mahaweli Ganga, stopping at several small villages on the way to Wegala. In total, expect a 45-minute bus ride from Kandy to Digana.
Once you arrive, you can pay a rickshaw driver to take you the remaining 5 kilometers to the Bambaragala Purana Rajamaha Viharaya Buddhist temple (start of the Pettigala trek). However, instead of taking a rickshaw, we decided to walk from Digana, which only took about 45 minutes. We followed the length of Victoria Gold Club Road before reaching the stone steps of the Buddhist temple.
Tip: Bring a long-sleeved shirt or shoulder covering and long pants to show respect as you walk through the monastery.
Finding a motorbike was difficult in Kandy. In fact, to our surprise, it seemed to be the biggest challenge in Sri Lanka! Since we had just returned our tuk tuk, we walked around for hours asking for rental cars to no avail. Nevertheless, the bus ride turned out to be very easy and comfortable.
Start of the trek: Visit the Bambaragala Buddhist Temple
The path to Pettigala Rock begins with a walk through the Bambaragala Buddhist temple. While I came for the hike and the view, I left with a newfound wonder and appreciation for the beauty and history of the Bambaragala Temple.
As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by resident monks who told us about its long history, dating back over 2000 years! We spent some time exploring the cobbled courtyards and admiring the incredible cave statues and ancient paintings before continuing up the hill to Pettigala Kandy.
alt=“BAMBARAGALA TEMPLE NEAR KANDY, SRI LANKA”>
alt=“OLD PAINTINGS OF CAVE TEMPLE IN BAMBARAGALA TEMPLE NEAR KANDY, SRI LANKA”>
alt=“BUDDHIST STATUE AT BAMBARAGALA TEMPLE NEAR KANDY, SRI LANKA”>
Pettigala Hike: Independent Hiking Guide
The Pettigala trek begins at the top of the stone steps of Bambaragala Monastery. Although not immediately obvious, there is a well-trodden path that leads into the forest just beyond the top level of the steps. If you have difficulty finding the way, you can ask the monks to show you the way.
The hike to the top of Pettigala Viewpoint can be a little tricky to navigate at times, especially as sections can be a bit overgrown. However, if you follow the generally beaten path that winds up to a dense forest slope, you shouldn't have a problem.
The path consists of rooty undergrowth and is quite steep in places. After about 200 meters of elevation you will come to a grassy clearing where you will see several large boulders. These offer great viewing points over the surrounding highlands and Lake Victoria.
However, the best view of Pettigala Kandy is from a flat rocky outcrop just a few hundred meters to the right of the first clearing. You can easily navigate to this viewpoint by following the worn sections in the grass and aiming for these GPS coordinates: 7°17’10.2″N 80°45’36.0″E.
View from Pettigala Kandy
The view from Pettigala Kandy extends over the central highlands of Sri Lanka. From the lookout point, hikers are rewarded with panoramas of the Victoria Dam catchment area and the surrounding mountains. If you have the chance, I would highly recommend going to Pettigala for sunrise as I'm sure the views would be even more spectacular!
alt=“PETTIGALA KANDY VIEWPOINT”>
alt=“PETTIGALA KANDY VIEWPOINT HIKE, VICTORIA DAM”>
After enjoying the view and climbing back down from Pettigala Rock, we decided to try our luck and hitchhike back to Kandy. This was a little experiment for us because we had never hitchhiked in Sri Lanka. However, to our surprise, we were kindly offered a ride by the first truck that passed us on Gold Club Road!
alt=“HITCHHIKING TO PETTIGALA ROCK SRI LANKA”>
alt="Hitchhiking in Kandy Sri Lanka">
Accommodation guide for Kandy
My Kandy accommodation: 2in1 Kandy (~$6)Okay, this one isn't that close to Market Station, but I still have no problem recommending it. The name 2in1 comes from the fact that the owners run a hostel, but actually it is a homestay. It offers one of the best backpacker vibes in Kandy, has incredible mountain views, and only costs about $6 per night!
Mid-Range: Aarunya Nature Resort and Spa (~$23) Aarunya Nature Resort offers the best value in Kandy. Visitors receive free bikes, access to a swimming pool, fitness center and a private villa!
High-End: The Golden Crown (~$90) Infinity pool overlooking the beautiful highland forest? If I had a higher budget this would be the right choice. The Golden Crown is one of the highest ranked hotels in Kandy. But don’t take my word for it – check the reviews.
More adventure ideas & travel guides in Sri Lanka
Did you like the quick guide to Pettigala trek near Kandy in Sri Lanka? If you're looking for more Sri Lanka adventures and travel inspiration, don't miss my other travel guides and blogs below!
If you have any news or questions, please help fellow travelers by leaving a comment below!
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alt=“Pettigala Kandy – Hike and visit to the Buddhist temple Bambaragala”>
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