The World’s End hike in Sri Lanka is one of the most popular destinations in the country. However, it is pricey, a little hard to reach, and arguably less impressive than some of Sri Lanka’s other treks. This post outlines where to stay before your hike, how to get there and arrange transportation, and what to expect on your walk. You’ll have to decide for yourself if it’s worth the effort!
There is no doubt that the World’s End hike in Sri Lanka features one of the country’s most beautiful lookout points. From your perch above a valley in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, a clear day affords views all the way out to the coast. A cloudy day affords… a wall of fog, unfortunately. Throw in a fairly steep ticket price and a location that’s not easily reached on a budget, and it’s fair to wonder whether you should gamble a day on this hike, especially if your time in Sri Lanka is limited. That said, I probably wouldn’t go a second time. I definitely wouldn’t bother in the rainy season (April – September). And if I had to cut a destination from my trip, this would probably be the first place on the chopping block.
I truly enjoyed my trip to Horton Plains National Park. Yes, I started out tired and cold, but I made some new friends, enjoyed hiking on a sunny day, and was lucky enough to have a view (mostly) unobscured by clouds. I’m glad I included it on my monthlong Sri Lanka itinerary.
Most travelers to Horton Plains base themselves in Nuwara Eliya, a town located a little over an hour from the park by car.
Nuwara Eliya itself is about a 20-minute bus or tuk-tuk ride from Nanu Oya, a stop on the popular Ella – Kandy train route through central Sri Lanka.
