Hali-Ela to Ettampitiya – 13.96 km
This stage is currently under development – the stage is walkable but not yet signposted. The official opening of this stage will be announced soon.
This stage is a challenging uphill. It involves ascending from the town of Hali-Ela sitting at an elevation of 730 meters, to the town of Ettampitiya sitting at an elevation of 1246 meters above sea level. The general direction of the trail turns first northwest and then southwest. This is a very remote part of the tea country.
We had a very good, restful night at Galoya Guesthouse in Ettampitiya, even without a stable internet connection. Especially because we were able to take a warm shower, which is not possible when camping outdoors. The view from our balcony showed us our next hiking area, the Dikwella estate.
We hiked 1.4 km from the hotel back to today’s Trail No. 18. There, at a crossroads, there is a striking historic building. Some might mistake it for a bus stop. In fact, such huts provided traveling people with a place to rest and spend the night.
At this crossroads between Ettampitiya, Heeloya and Ketawela, we had breakfast and provisions for our tour.
I hiked along the Kettawala Road through tea plantations and villages, past a quarry and over a hill. Our way led close to the Dickwella tea factory. Nearby I found a beautiful house with a garden that reminded me of an estate bungalow in our estate. Unfortunately inhabited and not for rent. From the garden of the house you have a very nice view of the city of Hali-Ela, today’s hiking destination. 400 meters below us.
From there our descent began through tea plantations, forests, villages and past a very beautiful, orange-gold Hindu temple and a Buddhist temple, Sri Sambodhi Vivekashramaya, Keeriyagolla
When we got down to tve Kettawala Road, we parted ways. Thilagar ended the trek at the finish point in Hali-Ela. I myself only 2 days later, during my next hike from Hali-Ela to Demodera.
However, my journey was not over yet. I hiked another 9 km up to Queens Town and through the Craig More Estate to the Sarnia Estate. I stayed there for 2 days until the heavy rain of January 27, 2023 passed.
