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Horton Plains National Park

Nuwara Eliya, Central

Rolling montane grassland and cloud forest at Horton Plains National Park
Photo: Prasadtharanga / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Sitting at over 2,100 metres in the central highlands, Horton Plains protects the most extensive stretch of cloud forest left in Sri Lanka, part of a UNESCO World Heritage-listed trio of highland parks alongside the Knuckles Range and the Peak Wilderness. Beyond its famous World's End cliff, the plains themselves are the headwaters of three of the island's major rivers — the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe — and stone tools found here trace human presence back to the ancient Balangoda culture, tens of thousands of years old. Named after a 19th-century British governor who "discovered" the plateau in 1834, the park was originally protected from logging as early as 1873, decades before it became an official national park in 1988.

Nature & viewpointsHiking & adventure

Best time to visit

Early morning, both for wildlife activity and to beat the cloud cover that typically rolls in by mid-morning.

Visitor tip

Weather changes quickly at altitude; start early and carry rain protection and water.

Local pick

The endemic Sri Lanka whistling thrush and other highland birds are easiest to spot along the quieter stretches of the loop trail, away from the World's End crowds.

Quick answers

Where is Horton Plains National Park?

Horton Plains National Park is in Nuwara Eliya, Central Province, Sri Lanka.

When is the best time to visit Horton Plains National Park?

Early morning, both for wildlife activity and to beat the cloud cover that typically rolls in by mid-morning.

How far is Horton Plains National Park from Colombo?

About 105 km in a straight line. Road journeys are longer, so check current travel times before you go.

What is near Horton Plains National Park?

Nearby places include World's End, Horton Plains (about 2 km away), Bambarakanda Falls (about 5 km away), Seetha Amman Temple (about 15 km away), Nuwara Eliya (about 16 km away).

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More places in Central Province

More to see around Nuwara Eliya: things to do in Nuwara Eliya. Planning a trip? See the top attractions in Sri Lanka, the best time to visit and how many days you need.