Highlights
- A sacred peak with a footprint revered by several faiths
- Trails climb from Dalhousie and other starting points
- Most people climb at night to see sunrise from the top
- The season runs from December to May
Overview
Adam's Peak, known in Sinhala as Sri Pada ("sacred footprint") and also as Samanala Kanda ("butterfly mountain"), is a steep, cone-shaped peak of 2,243 metres in the central highlands. At the summit, a rock bears a large mark revered as a footprint: of the Buddha by Buddhists, of Shiva by Hindus, and of Adam by many Muslims and Christians. Pilgrims of all faiths have climbed it for centuries, and it is one of the most memorable experiences in Sri Lanka.
The climb
Most people climb at night to reach the summit for sunrise. From the popular Nallathanni (Dalhousie) side, the stairway has around 5,000 to 5,500 steps and takes about 3 to 4 hours up, depending on fitness and crowds. In the pilgrimage season, the path is lit all night and lined with tea shops. Many climbers start between 1am and 3am.
Sunrise and the shadow
At dawn, the view stretches over a sea of clouds and hills. On clear mornings, the peak casts a triangular shadow across the land to the west, which shrinks as the sun rises. At the top is a small temple with the footprint shrine, and pilgrims ring bells to mark the number of climbs they have made.
The trails
- Hatton to Nallathanni: the most popular and shortest route, starting at a higher altitude.
- Ratnapura to Palabaddala: a longer, more natural route through forest that changes from lowland to cloud forest, with birds and butterflies.
- Kuruwita to Erathna: longer and harder than the Hatton route.
- Deraniyagala to Ihala Maliboda: the least used and most remote route, through forest and streams; only for experienced hikers with a guide.
When to go
The pilgrimage season runs from the Unduvap full moon in December to the Vesak full moon in May. The weather is best and the path is lit. Weekends, poya days and the April New Year holidays are extremely crowded. Outside the season, the climb is possible but often wet, windy and misty, the path is unlit and shops are closed.
Getting there
Nallathanni is about an hour by road from Hatton. Hatton is on the hill country railway, which was damaged by Cyclone Ditwah in late 2025; check which trains are running before you travel, or go by road.
What to bring
- A warm jacket, hat and gloves; it is very cold at the top before dawn.
- A torch, water and snacks, and a change of dry clothes.
- Good walking shoes.
Practical tips
- Remove shoes at the summit shrine.
- Pace yourself; the descent is hard on the knees.
- Take rubbish down with you.
Nearby: St Clair's Falls and Devon Falls. Join our trekking tour, or see things to do in Hatton and Hatton hotels.
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