From Colombo this park can be reached using the following routes.

 

1. Colombo – Awissawella – Hatton – Nanuoya – Ambewela – Pattipola - Horton Plains N.P.

 

2. Colombo – Ratnapura – Pelmadulla – Balangoda – Beragala – Haputale – Boralanda – Ohiya – Horton Plains. (6 ½ hours)

 

HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK

Having been protected as a nature reserve from December 1969 this park was upgraded as a National Park in March 1988. The park covers an area of 3,160 hectares of montane grassland fringed and interspersed with patches of dense montane cloud forests. This park and the adjoining peak wilderness form the most important catchment area for almost all the major rivers in the country. Three major rivers including the longest, Mahaveli (335km), Kelani and Walawe originate from the within the park it self.  Kirigalpotta (2,389m) and Thotupalakanda (2,357m) being the second and third highest mountain in the country are situated within this park. This is also the highest plateau of the country, being above 5000 feet, and the western slops of the park supports the most extensive area of montane cloud forests surviving in the country. The park come under the purview of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and a permit is required to enter the park. There are motorable roads as well as foot paths to different location in the park including the locality referred to as the  “worlds end” which is a near vertical drop of 884m, and the picturesque Bakers falls etc. Most of the hill species of birds can be easily seen here during any walk in the park which is through forested areas, grasslands and streams. A walk to the “worlds end” is also through pristine hill bird habitat. There are bungalows as well as camp sites inside the park which have to be pre-booked with the DWLC.

 

Birds to look for

Ceylon Warbler, Ceylon Whistling Thrush, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Dusky Blue Flycatcher, Scaly Thrush, Spotted-winged Thrush, Ceylon Rufus Babbler, Ceylon Blue Magpie, Ceylon Hill White eye, Pied Bush Chat, Kashmir Red-breasted Flycatcher, Common Buzzard, Brown Baza, Yellow-eared Bul Bul, Black-winged Kite, Black eagle, Mountain Hawk eagle and many more.

http://www.ceylonbirdclub.org/