This week we followed Thusitha Medagama on his trip to “Devil’s Staircase”. Medagama is a Lankan adventure travel mainstay, responsible for travel groups like Adventure Seekers and Sinbad’s Travels and a well-loved part of the local adventure travel scene.
While the state of the world and its circumstances have put somewhat of a dampener on the once thriving adventure travel culture in the island – especially one where youth from entirely different walks of life united simply because of their love of travel – things are looking up and people are starting to travel again.
The trip to Devil’s Staircase, courtesy of Medagama and a few friends who set off this past month, marks the beginnings of that travel culture returning.
Devil’s Staircase, located in Ohiya, is one of the most popular hiking and jeep tracks in the hills of Sri Lanka. It is considered an incredibly challenging hike, and while it may be considered a hikers’ paradise, only those who are seasoned hikers will undertake this 14-kilometre (km) trek.
The commonly followed route, which starts at Bambarakanda Rest near Banbarakanda Falls, is usually considered the starting point to the journey. This trail goes over old dilapidated estate roads running through several estates. The trail ends on the Ohiya-Horton Plains road around halfway from the Ohiya Railway Station and the Horton Plains entrance. You can also take the reverse route, where the trail begins from the Horton Plains road, passing through tea estates to the region of Kalupahana on the A4 Highway. You can then choose to end the trail near Bambarakanda Falls – a kilometre or so before Kalupahana.
The attraction of Devil’s Staircase comes from the thrill of making it through, as it is a long trail of sharp zig-zag twists that are very steep. While it can be completed via an offroad vehicle, as the trail is quite uneven in some places despite having a reasonable width, many prefer to hike it. Particularly due to the stunning atmosphere, the scenery is something unlike any other. Paired with the absolute exhaustion that comes with the challenge, your heightened emotions let you truly appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.
As you get towards the end of Devil’s Staircase, the trail will pass through beautiful green tea estates. You will also pass through the famous “V cut”, a popular attraction along the route. This V cut is where a “V” shaped channel has been carved into a hill a long time ago, to allow Devil’s Staircase to pass through.
If you set off at dawn and hike at a reasonable pace, then you are likely to be able to finish it by 4 p.m. If you chose to take a four-wheel drive, then Devil’s Staircase takes four hours of travel.
Devil’s Staircase, while challenging, is one of those experiences one must have at least once in their lifetime. From the moment you begin your hike at dawn and watch the sunrise reflecting off the waters of Bambarakanda Falls, your journey really is set.
