Located in a beautiful area of the southern Hill Country, this lofty peak has ignited the imagination for centuries and been a focus for pilgrimage for over 1000 years. King Parakramabahu and King Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa provided ambalamas (resting places to shelter weary pilgrims) up the mountain.
It is variously known as Adam’s Peak -Sri Pada (Sacred Footprint, left by the Buddha as he headed towards paradise), or perhaps most poetically as Samanalakande (Butterfly Mountain;where butterflies go to die).
The pilgrimage season begins on poya day in December and runs until Vesak festival in May; January and February are most busy. At other times the temple on the summit is unused, and between May and October the peak is often obscured by clouds.
During the pilgrimage season pilgrims and a few tourists make the climb up the countless steps to the top. Walkers leave from the small settlement of Dalhousie (del-house), 33km by road southwest of Hatton, which is situated on the Colombo–Kandy–Nuwara Eliya railway and road. In season the route is lit up by a sparkling ribbon of lights. Out of season you will need a torch.
As dawn illuminates the holy mountain, the diff use morning light uncovers the Hill Country rising in the east and the land sloping to the coast to the west. Colombo, 65km away, is easily visible on a clear day.
Adam’s Peak saves its breathtaking elegance for just after dawn. The sun casts a perfect shadow of the peak onto the misty clouds down towards the coast. As the sun rises higher this eerie triangular shadow races back towards the peak, eventually disappearing into its base.
