Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains National Park is unlike any other wilderness in Sri Lanka. Characterised by its rolling, open grasslands, adorned by crystal creeks and streams, it is home to some of the most surprising of the landscapes to be found on this tropical island. As it is a highland park located at elevations between 2100 and 2300 meters, there are breathtaking views to be had, particularly in the early mornings, before the fog rolls in. There is stunning wildlife here too. Leopards make their home here, as well as rusty spotted cats, macaques, purple-faced langurs, barking deer and Indian spotted chevrotain. The most conspicuous of the major species, however, are the sambar deer, who are frequently seen grazing on the grasslands in the early morning. The park is a vital catchment area, as at least three rivers – the Mahaveli, Kelaniya and Walawe — have their headwaters within the park.
The plains’ spectacles
Visits to Horton Plains often entail two major attractions. The most popular among these is World’s End, which is a sheer cliff, with a drop of 884 meters. Toy-town houses can be seen nestled in the valley far below, and on the clearest days, World’s End offers views even of the Indian Ocean, hundreds of kilometers to the south. The other is the stepped Baker’s Falls, which tumbles down from 20 meters up, and is located along a tributary of the Belihuloya River. In addition to these, there is Mini-World’s End, with a drop of 274 metres, All three attractions can be viewed from the same, looping walking track. More adventurous visitors can also climb Kirigalpotta – the second highest peak in Sri Lanka.
Flora
In addition to the “pathana” of the plains (montane grasslands), there are also large sections of the park that are populated by evergreen sub-tropical “cloud forest” – dense, and low-canopied vegetation that is often watered by the fog that envelops the park. It is this forest that is home to much of Horton Plains’ fauna, including its leopards. Within the cloud forest are stretches of rhododendron, which flower into spectacular bloom between the months of April and June.