Mohammed

Definitely no need for a 4WD to Horton Plains, the road up there though a very steep climb with some exiting hairpin bends is a fairly good surface, even tuk tuks make it up there now. It is the only national park where one can walk and beleive me there is a very healty population of leopard up there although they are much more shy compared to the dry zone Yala cousins thus rarely seen. Often the sightings are in the late evening at a great distance across the plains. You will see a lot of Sambhur (elk)in the evenings. There is a lot of unique plant and animal life in that ecosystem.

Walks in Horton Plains include
1. Worlds end - easiest and most popular
2. Totupolakanda - abpout 3 km up hill through medium heavy bush with a great view on top but not much else.
3. Kirigalpotta - about 6 km is superb but strenous.

Weather is Feb should be very good

If you like hiking I will do the Kirigalpotha walk.

There is other interesting hiking routes and lookout points outside the park boundaries, one called Dondra Watch is imho actually better than Worlds ends on a clear day. If you are really looking for adventure/hiking etc - if so you should consider a specialit operator/guide - try Mahoora or Edge.

FYI I used to fly fish for rainbow trout up in Horton Plains on the Belihuloya stream back in the 70's and early 80's. The trout were originally stocked by the British in the late 1800's. Since 1988 when they declared it a NP all fishing was banned but there is still a healthy population of trout up there.

crellston

Thursdaysd and Mohammed - may thanks for the additional info it is all going on the list! Looks like we will be taking our hiking poles afetr all..

another hiking related question - Is Adams peak worth the effort? If so, I understand that the norm is to start off at 2.00am in order to reach the peak at dawn and witness the "perfect triangle shadow" of the mountain. Is this just tourism hype or could it be doen during the daytime?