Knuckles Mountain Range
A Journey Through Nature’s Wonders
As you travel from Matale to Riverston – Kirimetiya Mountain via Rattota, the breathtaking scenery creates a sense of adventure and exploration. The winding roads lead you through lush landscapes, gradually immersing you in the natural beauty of Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Mountain Range.
Heading from Riverston – Kirimetiya Mountain toward Laggala Pallegama through Pitawala Pathana, you’ll witness the diverse topography, climatic zones, and forest types that make this region unique. Nestled in the northern Knuckles World Heritage Nature Reserve, this route showcases Sri Lanka’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Diverse Forests & Flora
The Knuckles Mountain Range, separated from the Central Highlands by the Dumbara and Matale Valleys, features a mix of mid-country wet evergreen trees, montane/cloud forests, and mist-covered landscapes. As you ascend to 1,500m above sea level, the transition from lower montane forests to cloud forests becomes evident.
Notable trees include:
🌿 Calophyllum (Keena/Pongu) – Recognized for its red tender leaves.
🌿 Syzygium fergusoni (Dan) – An endemic species attracting bees with its white stamens.
🌿 Elaeocarpus glandulifer (Mal Veralu) – A type of Ceylon olive with red-orange leaves.
🌿 Gordonia (Mihiriya) – A tea family species with gorgeous white flowers.
🌿 Ilex knucklesensis – Found exclusively in this region.
Orchids & Unique Plants:
🌸 Epiphytic Orchids – Bulbophyllum wightii, Oberonia sp., Robiquetia rosea.
🌱 Terrestrial Orchids – Anoectochilus setaceus.
💜 Impatiens Species – Impatiens grandis, Impatiens henslowiana, Impatiens acaulis.
🌿 Endemic Bamboo – Davidsea attenuata thrives in this wind-gap region.
Fascinating Wildlife
🦋 Butterflies:
- Ceylon Tiger (Parantica taprobana)
- Blue Oakleaf (Kallima philarchus)
- Common Birdwing (Troides darsius)
🦅 Birds:
- Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus kelaarti)
- Sri Lanka Junglefowl (Gallus lafayetii)
- Yellow-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus)
Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus)
Wet-zone and montane forests, including Riverston
Yellow-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus)
Highland forests, commonly found in Knuckles Range
Sri Lanka Spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata)
Dense, humid forests in the lowlands and highlands, including Riverston
🦎 Reptiles:
- Leaf-nosed Lizard (Ceratophora tennentii)
- Dumbara Pygmy Lizard (Cophotis dumbara)
- Hump-nosed Lizard (Lyriocephalus scutatus)
Sri Lankan Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus)
Wet zone forests
Knuckles Pygmy Lizard (Cophotis dumbara)
High-elevation forests.
🌿 Lichens & Mosses: These epiphytic plants collect water from the mist, playing a crucial role in the region’s hydrology.
Pitawala Pathana & Mini World’s End
🌄 Pitawala Pathana – A unique wet and dry intermediate grassland atop a rocky layer with minimal soil cover. This diverse ecosystem is home to:
- Brachystelma lankana (Patan Ala)
- Marble Rock Frog (Nannophrys marmorata)
- Tropical Sundew (Drosera burmannii, Drosera indica)
Sundew Tropical Sundew Burmann’s Sundew (drosera burmannii)
High-elevation forests.
Net Veined Bladderwort (utricularia reticulata)
High-elevation forests.
At Mini World’s End, a dramatic cliff-edge viewpoint, you’ll experience a breathtaking panorama of the valley below.
The Ever-Changing Landscape
Descending towards Kalu Ganga Valley and Illukkumbura, you’ll notice the transition to semi-evergreen and dry forests. The abandoned Gonamada Estate, once under British colonial rule, now stands as a testament to secondary forest succession.
Along the 20 km route from Riverston through Pitawala Pathana to Laggala, you encounter Sri Lanka’s major vegetation types, highlighting the area’s incredible habitat diversity and ecological sensitivity.