Devil’s Staircase | Sri Lanka

There are a few distinctive and man-made configurations that have earned the moniker ‘the Devil’s Staircase’ in various locations around the world. Sri Lanka stands out as one of the most dangerous countries in the world. With a length of 14 kilometers, this popular course features sharp crisscross contorts that are extremely steep and difficult to navigate, but are also extremely exciting to move through. The trail begins on the Horton Plains Street in the charming Ohiya town and travels through tea plantations to the district of Kalupahana on the A4 Main Road; or it can be done in the other direction.
The Devil’s Staircase can only be climbed or crossed by a 4WD vehicle due to the fact that it is extremely uneven in some places despite having a reasonable width. There are a number different methods to taking on the Devil’s Staircase, and the blend you choose will be determined by the amount of time you have and how fit you are. The course also contains some breathtaking views as well as other interesting sights to take in. The Bambarakanda Rest, which is close to Banbarakanda Ella Falls, is frequently chosen as the starting point of the excursion by travelers who wish to begin their journey from this point. This trail follows old, weathered domain streets that pass through a number of residences. This trail comes to a close on the Ohiya – Horton Plains street around the midway separation between the Ohiya Railway Station and the Horton Plain Entrance, where it meets the Horton Plain Entrance.

Sri Lanka’s Devil’s Staircase can only be climbed or crossed by a 4WD vehicle. The 14 kilometre course features sharp crisscross contorts that are extremely steep and difficult to navigate. Course also contains some breathtaking views as well as other interesting sights to take in.

Climbing its entire length is a more confrontational method of accomplishing it. This can take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours of hard work and is clearly not something to be taken lightly. Alternatively, you might take a leisurely stroll down it, which will take approximately 4-5 hours. Regardless of whether or not you prefer adrenaline to pure muscle, you could drive the Devil’s Staircase, which shouldn’t take more than two or three hours, depending on which direction you’re traveling.
A combination of two of these approaches – driving up and walking down – is likely to be the most effective way to experience everything that the path has to offer to visitors.
A precarious climb up the northern side of the Kuda Oya Valley, through a mixture of tea ranches and good country woodland, with the transcendent statures of the Horton Plains level on one side, through and into Ohiya Gap, and after that up the southern face of the Haputale Mountain Range to Ohiya, is required to complete the Devil’s Staircase. Awe-inspiring scenery, with breathtaking views to the southwest and across Sri Lanka’s marshlands in the distance. Located on the southern edge of the Central Highlands, the Haputale Range’s steep, winding slants plummet thousands of meters down to the vast Udawalawe Basin, which extends without end to the southern drift of the Central Highlands. On breezy mornings, you can see the flash of the ocean, and if you’re lucky enough to be camping here on a starry night, you can see the blaze of the beacon at Dondra Head, which marks the southernmost point of Sri Lanka’s mainland.

The Haputale Range’s steep, winding slants plummet thousands of meters down to the vast Udawalawe Basin. Awe-inspiring scenery, with breathtaking views across Sri Lanka’s marshlands.

If you want to take a more adventurous route to Horton Plains or Haputale, driving a 4×4 up the Devil’s Staircase is also a fun way to get around. Some of the curves and crosses on the track are nerve-racking, and the final stretch up the Haputale Ridge requires unwavering nerves and a rock-solid truck to make it. Because there are no markers along the route, it is recommended that you use a guide if you are embarking on the adventure for the first time. The course features a large number of participants, and they might easily consume your time from the very beginning. The tails are 13 kilometers in length and would take around 4 hours to travel by automobile from Bambarakanda to the nearest town. The “V cut,” which is a canal slit through the slope to allow the street to pass through, and the “V cut” are the two most well-known features on the course. This will be covered in further detail when you have entered the Udaweriyaestate. After passing over this, the road will cross a creek that forms the Bambarakanda Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in the country.
After traveling approximately 8.5 kilometers, you will have the option of taking a short but extremely difficult course that will necessitate the use of a vehicle with excellent rough terrain capability and tires. A longer, but less difficult, route to the OhiyaRoad can be found by turning right onto the street to the right of the intersection. The left course (shown in red) is around 3 kilometers in length, whereas the correct course (shown in green) is approximately 7.5 kilometers in length. The short course is quite straightforward, as it does not have any May-related concerns. The longer course is more exceptional, with a greater number of byways and side roads, and it is more easily misled if it is not planned in advance.

Driving a 4×4 up the Devil’s Staircase is also a fun way to get around. Some of the curves and crosses on the track are nerve-racking. The final stretch up the Haputale Ridge requires unwavering nerves and a rock-solid truck.

Image Credits: sonofthemorninglight

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