Pidurutalagala Peak- Sri Lanka's Highest Mountain and Forest Reserve of the highest Elevation

Pidurutalagala Peak Location -in Google Satellite Map

Pidurutalagala, located within Nuwara Eliya's mountain valley, is the highest peak in the area, reaching an impressive height of 8,281 feet ( 2524 meters ) above sea level. Pidurutalagala is also written as Piduruthalagala.The surrounding plateau, which is elliptically shaped, sits at an elevation of 6,240 feet, while the mountains encircling this plateau rise to about 2,000 feet, forming various ridges.

To reach Pidurutalagala from Nuwara Eliya, the distance is approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) to the entrance. The drive takes about 30 minutes, and the final 6 kilometers to the summit requires an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Visitors must use a car, van, or jeep for the journey, as hiking and the use of three-wheelers or bikes are not permitted. This ensures a safe and efficient ascent to one of Sri Lanka's most remarkable landmarks.

Pidurutalagala meaning and description of the summit- the Toposcope today

Unlike most mountain peaks around the world, which typically feature rocky pointed summits, Pidurutalagala has a distinctive flattened summit covered in pale green patna grass. During the dry season, this grass dries out, transforming the mountain top into a landscape that resembles a cap of straw when viewed from a distance. Eyewitnesses from the 1940s noted this unique characteristic, which sets it apart from other mountains.

The name "Pidurutalagala" can be translated into English as "straw-laden flat mountain," with "Piduru" meaning "straw" and "tala gala" meaning "flat rock or mountain." This description not only highlights the mountain's unusual summit but also captures the essence of its visual impact in the surrounding landscape. The combination of the flattened peak and the vibrant dried grass creates a striking contrast against the lush mountainous terrain, making Pidurutalagala a notable landmark in earlier times.

There was originally only one man-made path to the summit, while the surrounding untouched forest has been traversed by elephants for thousands of years. The trees on the mountainsides appear dwarfed near the peak due to the prevailing high winds, and the tree tops close to the summit have a flattened appearance, resembling a well-trimmed hedge.

In the 1940s, a "Toposcope" was located at the summit, functioning as a map with pointed arrows indicating the directions of significant places and their distances in a "line of sight" from Pidurutalagala, or "Mt. Pedro." Notable locations such as Colombo, Adam's Peak, Dondra Head, and Horton Plains were clearly marked, allowing visitors to identify faraway places like Yala, Hambantota, Bintenna, Namunukula, Horabora Wewa, and the Bay of Trincomalee.

A toposcope is a type of map or viewing device that provides information about the surrounding landscape from a specific viewpoint, typically at the summit of a mountain or hill. It features a circular layout with pointed arrows or markers that indicate the directions of notable landmarks, geographical features, and distant locations, along with their approximate distances.

Toposcopes are often made of metal , wood or stone and are designed to help hikers and visitors identify significant points of interest in the landscape, such as mountains, towns, or natural features. They serve both as informative guides and as a means to enhance the experience of enjoying panoramic views from high elevations.

Opening hours to pidurutalagala peak and the entrance ticket price Pidurutalagala Peak-

Now,(July 2025) visitors can reach the peak of Pidurutalagala by purchasing an entrance ticket for Rs. 75 per person and Rs. 800 for a car. Walking or riding motorcycles is not allowed on the 6 km route to the summit. After obtaining a ticket, guests must pass through a security checkpoint, where they need to provide their National Identity Card number and the name of their local police station. From this point, vehicles must proceed directly to the parking area at the peak without stopping or exiting the vehicle.

Please note that the procedures for visiting the summit of Pidurutalagala may change at any time due to government security concerns. The summit is home to vital telecommunication towers, which are crucial for communication infrastructure of the country. As a result, access regulations are subject to modification to ensure the safety and security of these essential facilities. It is advisable for prospective visitors to check for the latest updates and guidelines before planning their trip to the summit.

Physiograpy of Pidurutalagala Peak

The Highest Peneplain

The highest peneplain is quite different from the lower and middle peneplains. Instead of being a flat area, it is a complex mix of plateaus, mountain ranges, massifs, and basins, each with its own level of erosion.

The southern edge of this highest peneplain is marked by the impressive Southern Wall of the Hill Country, which stretches over 50 miles from Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) at 7,360 feet in the west to the nine-peaked mountain, Namunukula, at 6,360 feet in the east. This wall rises from just over 1,000 feet to more than 5,000 feet in places like World's End.

This almost impassable barrier features a road that climbs from Balangoda to Bandarawela and is one of Sri Lanka's most striking natural landscapes. It is mainly made up of strong charnockitic gneiss rock. There are several beautiful waterfalls, including Diyaluma, Bambarakanda, and Galagama Falls, that drop over its edges. Two major gaps, Haputale Gap and Ella Gap, cut through this wall, created by the powerful erosion from the Kirindi Oya river.

Running north from the center of the Southern Wall is the highest plateau region known as the High Plains. This area stretches from Kirigalpotta (7,857 feet) to Pidurutalagala (8,292 feet), the tallest mountain in the island. The High Plains consist of gently rolling grasslands, including the scenic Horton Plains, Elk Plains, Moon Plains, and Kandepola-Sita Eliya Plains, all sitting at elevations between 6,000 and 7,000 feet.

To the east of the High Plains lies the Uva Basin, a bowl-shaped depression surrounded by mountains like Hakgala (7,127 feet), Totupola (7,741 feet), Tungoda (6,051 feet), Beragala (5,832 feet), and Namunukula (6,679 feet). In the center of the basin, at about 3,000 feet, you’ll find rolling grasslands known as the Uva Downs, which resemble the Chalk Downs of Southern England. The basin is drained by two rivers, the Badulla Oya and the Uma Oya, with the latter flowing north through a deep valley that rises about 300 feet as it approaches the Mahaweli Ganga.

In the Uva Basin, you can see evidence of powerful geological activity, such as steep folds, faults, and thrusts. Both the High Plains and the Uva Basin are mainly composed of soft, weathered feldspathic metamorphic rocks, which create the smooth, rounded shapes and deep, clayey soils found in the area.

Roadway to Pidurutalagala-

The Hatton Plateau and Surrounding Areas

To the west of the High Plains lies the Hatton Plateau, a deeply dissected area characterized by significant elevation changes, which sets it apart from the flatter plateau regions mentioned earlier. The Hatton Plateau appears remarkably flat due to the nearly horizontal orientation of the rocks in much of the area. The average elevation here ranges from 3,500 to 4,500 feet, but several higher parallel ridges running northwest to southeast add complexity to the landscape.

This region is home to numerous waterfalls, including Aberdeen, Laxapana, St. Clair, and Devon Falls. The rivers here flow through gorges and steep-sided valleys, with the Kotmale Oya near Talawakele providing a clear example of this terrain.

Several ridges extend from the center of the highest peneplain near Pidurutalagala into the lower middle peneplain. For instance, the Ramboda-Hantane range stretches northwest into the heart of the Kandy Plateau.

Additionally, two massifs, separated from the main part of the Central Highlands, are part of the highest peneplain. To the southwest is the Rakwana Massif, bordered to the north by a smaller escarpment similar to the Southern Wall of the Hill Country. The road from Rakwana to Deniyaya climbs this escarpment via the Bulutota Pass, which is the only break in the escarpment for miles.

Several peaks along this escarpment rise above 3,500 feet. The highest areas of the massif include high plains such as the Handapan Ella Plains and Tangamale Plains, generally at elevations between 3,500 and 4,000 feet, surrounded by impressive peaks and escarpments like Beralagala (4,545 feet), Gongala (4,416 feet), Suriyakande (4,300 feet), and Abbey Rock (4,268 feet). The Bulutota escarpment and much of the massif are primarily composed of gently sloping, resistant charnockitic gneisses.

Northeast of the Kandy Plateau is the Knuckles Massif, which features several impressive mountains over 5,000 feet tall, including Gombaniya (6,248 feet) and Knuckles (6,112 feet). Many dramatic escarpments on the eastern edge of the massif overlook the well-defined middle peneplain. The Knuckles Massif is actually a complex of mountain ranges formed by a large recumbent fold, housing some of Sri Lanka's most rugged and beautiful mountains in this relatively inaccessible and lesser-known region. However, a new road from Hunasgiriya to Corbet's Gap has made this fascinating area more accessible to visitors.

The main part of the Knuckles Massif stretches over 30 miles from near Rattota to Medamahanuwera, with only three points where the main range can be crossed. These crossing points are located at Laggala northeast of Matale, Corbet's Gap near Rangala—which marks the head of a significant cleft in the massif—and Hunasgiriya Gap, which connects the road from Kandy to Weragantota.

One of the very first water springs emerging from the peak of Pidurutalagala

The image depicts one of the very first water springs emerging from the peak of Pidurutalagala, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. This spring is significant as it gives rise to the Belihul Oya, a river that plays a crucial role in the region's hydrology.

As the water flows from the spring, it begins its journey down the mountain, cascading through lush forests and vibrant landscapes. The Belihul Oya eventually merges with the Mahaweli River, which is the longest river in Sri Lanka, stretching approximately 335 kilometers (about 208 miles) from its source to the sea.

The Mahaweli River is not only vital for irrigation and agriculture but also serves as a key water source for various communities along its banks. It supports a diverse ecosystem, providing habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna. Furthermore, the river plays an essential role in generating hydroelectric power, contributing significantly to the country's energy needs.

Overall, this spring at Pidurutalagala symbolizes the beginning of a vital waterway that nourishes both the natural environment and the human communities dependent on its resources. The connection between Pidurutalagala and the Mahaweli River highlights the importance of this mountain not only as a geographical landmark but also as a crucial source of life-giving water in Sri Lanka.

Pidurutalagala - A major reference point historically used as the origin point for the old National Coordinate System maps -72 maps of one inch to one mile (1897-1925)revised till 1972.

Pidurutalagala, also known as Mount Pedro, is not only the highest mountain in Sri Lanka but also serves as a crucial geodeticthe (branch of science concerned with determining the exact position of geographical points and the shape and size of the earth) reference point for the island's mapping and survey systems. Its significance extends beyond its impressive height, making it a vital asset for geographical and infrastructural development.

Mapping Significance

Origin of the National Coordinate System

The Pidurutalagala Trigonometrical Station has historically been used as the origin point for the projection in the old National Coordinate System, also referred to as the National Grid System. This system was employed by the Survey Department of Sri Lanka to create detailed maps and establish a consistent framework for land measurement across the country. The use of Pidurutalagala as a reference point provided a reliable basis for mapping activities, ensuring that various geographical data could be integrated and understood uniformly.

The Pidurutalagala geodetic reference point is notable for its inclusion in four of the earliest 72 one-inch-to-one-mile maps of Sri Lanka, which were created between 1897 and 1925.

Trigonometrical Network

Pidurutalagala is a key control point within Sri Lanka's geodetic and triangulation network, which is essential for accurate mapping and surveying throughout the island. This network relies on a series of strategically positioned reference points that allow surveyors to calculate distances and angles with precision. By serving as a cornerstone of this system, Pidurutalagala facilitates a wide range of applications, from land development and urban planning to environmental monitoring and infrastructure projects.

The mountain's elevation and location provide a unique vantage point for establishing these measurements, contributing significantly to the nation's ability to create comprehensive and precise topographical maps. This accuracy is vital for various sectors, including agriculture, construction, and disaster management, where reliable geographical information is paramount.

In summary, Pidurutalagala's role as a geodetic reference point underscores its importance not just as a natural landmark but as a foundational element in Sri Lanka's efforts to develop and maintain an effective mapping and surveying system.

View from Pidurutalagala Peak

On clear mistless days one can observe Adams Peak near the horizon. Moon Plain,Gregory Lake,Nuwara Eliya town, Shantipura(the village in the highest elevation), and Horton Plains also can be observed from the Pidurutalagala summit

Pidurutalagala forest

A noticeable difference exists between the character of the Pidurutalagala forest and that of the lowland forests. The trees here exhibit gnarled trunks with many forked branches, adorned with lichens and moss, showcasing characteristics typical of a cloud forest. The man-made path to the summit is marked at regular intervals with stone posts indicating elevations such as 7,500 feet and 8,000 feet.