Horton Plains National Park is an important natural heritage of Sri Lanka and a national park that allows tourists to hike. The "plain" itself is a plateau about 2,000 meters above sea level, covered with virgin grasslands and dotted with several dense forests. 1. Scenic History Horton Plains was formerly known as MahaEliyaThena, which means "Great Plains". During the British colonial period, it was named after the British governor of Ceylon, Wilmert Houghton (also said to be his wife, Anne Houghton). It was not until 1969 that the Houghton Plain was designated as a wildlife reserve. Because of the biodiversity of Horton Plains, it was planned as a national park for tourists to visit in 1988. In July 2010, Sri Lanka's central highlands, including Horton Plains National Park, the summit wilderness reserve where Adam's Peak is located, and the Knuckles Mountains were inscribed on the World Heritage List. 2. Scenic features Horton Plains, if literally translated, are actually "Horton Plains", from which we can intuitively feel Horton's topographical features - flat and open, but not static. The weather on the plateau is unpredictable and Horton is notoriously windy. Hiking on the wide slopes of the Horton Plain, there are ups and downs along the way. In front of you are vast hills, small rivers and various tropical plants, and the blue sky and fresh air are more enjoyable. In addition to the attractive World's End cliffs, you can also see a variety of wildlife such as monkeys, elk and various birds while hiking in the Horton Plains National Park. The entire scenic spot is very primitive, please do not go to areas outside the prescribed route when hiking to avoid danger. On the way back you will pass Baker's Falls, which is not spectacular but adds to the fun of your hike. 3. The trekking route to Horton Plains National Park generally requires a chartered car. After arriving at the gate and purchasing the ticket, you can drive in for a while, and then start the hiking tour from the parking lot. There is a circular hiking route in the national park, with a total length of about 9.5 kilometers. Tourists can only walk within the specified range according to the road signs (it is strongly recommended to walk in a clockwise direction). It takes about 3-4 hours to walk the whole way. Walk from the entrance to the end of the world for about 4 kilometers, then walk 2 kilometers to a Baker Falls, and then walk 3.5 kilometers back to the entrance. 4. Wildlife Due to its location at the turning point of many rivers, the Horton Plain has very rich wildlife species, often leopards, deer and wild boars. Lanka's local "Purple-faced Vervet Monkeys" sometimes flicker through the forest along Ohiya Road, and sometimes peek in the woods near the end of the world. This area is also great for bird watching. Native Yellow-eared Nightingale, Fantail Warbler, Grey-headed Thrush, Lankan White-Eyed, Lankan Thrush, Lankan White-eyed Arrenga, Lankan Blue Magpie, Mountain Eagle, etc. 5. Natural Plants There is a grass called Chrysopogon that covers the grasslands on the plateau, while the swamp is a breeding ground for the rich species of Sphagnum. The white-flowered delphinium is the dominant vegetation in mountain forest areas. Dwarf trees and shrubs are joined by mosses and lichens. There is also Rhododendronzelanicum, which produces blood-red flowers. Strobilanthes with sharp leaves bloom every five years.
@🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya Novara Eliya Horton Plain National Park Horton Plains National Park During British colonialism, it was named after Wilmert Horton, the British Governor in Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka), (also said to be his wife Anne • Horton). In 1969, it was designated a wildlife refuge. In July 2010, due to its biodiversity, the central highlands of Sri Lanka (including the Horton Plain National Park, the Peak Wilderness Reserve where Adam Peak is located and the Knuckles Mountains) were listed on the World Heritage List ~50+ local geoguide full-time control speed (counterclockwise hiking), The "Horton Three-person Team" with the two beautiful young ladies opens 10km 4h special soldier mode 4:00 get up ➡️4:45 depart the hotel➡️6:00 sun rise➡️ 6:30 hiking ➡️no stop walking➡️10:30 leave the park➡️11:20 arrive the hotel➡️11:45 travel move🤣 Overall feeling, it is easy to go up the mountain and difficult to go down the mountain ps: In order to protect the environment, the food will be required to unpack the plastic bag and put it in the paper bag provided by the garden. The washing room [laughing] at the entrance is a thousand miles away. There is a toilet. It is not a dry toilet. In addition, it seems that there are only two bathrooms in the park, and the walk from the exit is about 1 hour.
In a relatively flat place, you can enjoy the scenery while walking, blue sky and white clouds, green vegetation, very eye-catching. There are also some small red or yellow flowers dotted with it. It is said that it is a plain, but there are also parts of the hiking route that climb up and down. It takes a little physical effort to see Baker Falls. There are also some gravel roads, which need attention when walking.
Horton Plains National Park is a place to walk, tickets and taxes and travel from the hotel are not low, and it is also one of the ways to control traffic. The original ecology, the wilderness, walking must be difficult to attract tourists.
Ordinary cars are not allowed to enter national parks. They need to rent another Jeep the day before. They have to leave the hotel at about 5 a.m. because they have to reach the end of the world before 10 o'clock. Otherwise, when the fog comes up, nothing will be seen. March's weather is really good, of course, it's really hot. Before you come to see the strategy is that there are no bathrooms or water sales in the national park, but there is still a bathroom, if you see it, you must not miss it. But there's really no selling water. Take enough water, take enough water, take enough water. Say the important thing three times. After entering the hiking area, there is a bifurcation road, you can choose clockwise or counter-clockwise, and eventually return to the starting point. We choose to turn left on the bifurcation road. It's difficult before it's easy. The National Park is so big that we don't hire a guide, but there's only one way to go, and we won't get lost. At the beginning of the hike, there were probably only a few people around. They dispersed soon after they entered. Many times, only three of us were there. Only at the end of the world did we see everyone again. Mountaineering canes are of great use, and does this look professional and exemplary? The whole plain is moving asynchronously, the terrain is rich, together with various forms of trees, beautiful clouds, blue sky, the scenery is very beautiful, so walking down will not feel boring and boring at all, but walking the whole journey, feeling not enough. The big animal that sings the leading character here is the water deer.
The alpine grasslands are worth visiting. It took us an early morning to get there. We started at 5 o'clock from the Nuevole Eliye Hotel, went through an hour and a half of Panshan Road, and finally arrived at the ticket gate. In the morning, the temperature is very low, about 5.6 degrees. The wind is very strong and the fog is very big. But the scenery along the way is very beautiful, and we also saw a very beautiful sunrise. Tickets are very expensive. To buy drivers and parking fees, the total is about 6,000 rupees. But compared with other scenic spots, I think it's worthwhile, because the scenery is really wonderful, and I also saw the wild deer. The jungle mountain road along the way, and then to the beautiful grassland, must be highly sun-protected. Because when the sun comes out, it can peel directly. I didn't know. I just bared myself without touching anything. A circle around the scenic spot shows "the end of the small world" and "the end of the world" as well as a small waterfall. But I think the scenery along the way is much better than the scenic spots. There is no food in the scenic area, only snacks and biscuits sold at the entrance of the scenic spot. It is suggested that you bring your own dry food and go to the toilet at the entrance of the scenic spot (the location of the parking lot), because it is difficult to find the toilet inside.