Description of the attraction
The Horton Plains has been a nature reserve since 1969 and a national park since 1988 due to its unique watershed and diversity of species. The reserve area is 3159 hectares. It is the only national park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk on their own (but only on certain trails).
Planter Thomas Farr “discovered” these plains and named the area after Sir Robert Wilmot Horton, then British governor (1831-1837). The traditional Sinhalese name for the area was Maha Sumanasena. The park is home to the second and third largest mountain peaks of Sri Lanka - Totupola Kanda (2357m) and Kirigalpota (2389m).
The park has a steep cliff called the End of the World, offering stunning views of the distant hills and valleys all the way to the southern coast. On foot to the Edge of the World, you need to walk about 4 km, the way back takes 2 km to Baker Falls and another 3.5 km to the exit from the park. The round trip is 9.5 km and takes three hours on foot. Note that around 9-10 am fog is falling and all you can see if you come later is a white wall. If you leave Nuwara Eliya or Haputale at 5.30 am and arrive at World's End by 7 am, you will have the chance to enjoy a magnificent view.
Baker Falls receives water from Beliul Oya. Icy water glistens in the sun against the backdrop of mountainous terrain and deep valleys.
Like many other rainforests, mammals are difficult to see here, although more fortunate visitors did spot a leopard. Most visitors are satisfied with the sambur, a type of large deer.
Among the trees in the park, syzygium is most often found. Dwarf bamboo dominates in the undergrowth in open marshy areas.
