Horton Plains National Park | AmazingLanka.com

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(16 votes, average: 3.19 out of 5)

A well grown leopard @ Horton Plains National Park

Perched high in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, Horton Plains National Park enchants visitors with misty grasslands, rare wildlife, and the awe-inspiring Great World’s End—a dramatic 870-meter (2,854 ft) cliff offering breathtaking views that vanish into the clouds, creating one of the island’s most unforgettable landscapes.

Size	3,160 hectares
Main attraction	Flora and Fauna

Horton Plains National Park lies in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, once known as Maha Eliya. Located about 20 kilometers south of Nuwara Eliya and 20 kilometers west of Haputale, the park sits 2,000 meters above sea level, nestled between the island’s second and third tallest peaks—Kirigalpotta and Totapola. Covering an area of 31.6 km², it features a beautiful mix of highland forest and wet grassland. The average temperature here is around 16°C, and the strong evening winds make it quite chilly. Notably, this is the only national park in Sri Lanka where visitors can explore the designated trails on foot without a guide.

You can reach Horton Plains National Park from either Bandarawela or Nuwara Eliya, with a drive of about 1½ hours. Alternatively, visitors can take the train to Ohiya Station and hike up to the plains—a scenic but steep 3–4-hour climb. Accommodation within the park is limited to two lodges and three designated camping sites, all of which must be reserved in advance.

The sambar deer is the most common animal found in Horton Plains, while wild boars and leopards also inhabit the park. In recent years, leopards have become a major attraction—larger and heavier than their lowland relatives, thanks to the cool climate and abundant prey.

Entrance Fees to Horton Plains National Park

Description / Category	Price
Local – Adults	LKR 150
Local – Children (6-12 years)	LKR 100
Local – Student	LKR 20
Local – Children (below 6 years)	FOC
Local – Group Fee (per vehicle)	LKR 400
Foreign – Adults	USD 25
Foreign – Children (6-12 years)	USD 15
Foreign SAARC Countries – Adults	USD 20
Foreign SAARC Countries – Children (6-12 years)	USD 10
Foreign – Children (below 6 years)	FOC
Foreign – Group Fee (per vehicle)	USD 10
Taxes on total cost	18%
Entrance Fee per vehicle	LKR 300

Ticket Price Schedule for 2025

For example, 2 foreigners with 1 child between 6-12 will have the cost of

Description	Cost
2 adults	USD 50.00
1 child	USD 15.00
Group Fee	USD 10.00
Total	USD 75.00
Tax (18%)	USD 13.50
Total	USD 88.50

The above calculation applies only to individual entry tickets as gazetted in 2022 and remain valid for 2025. The vehicle entry ticket, as listed separately, must be purchased in addition to the personal tickets.

Foreign visitors may make payments in USD or the equivalent amount in LKR. For the most up-to-date ticket prices, the Government Information Centre can be contacted on 1919. If a private safari jeep is hired for a land safari, rates generally range from LKR 7,500 to LKR 10,000 for a half-day excursion of about four hours, depending on the national park. A full-day safari is typically charged at twice the half-day rate.

Visiting Hours

All national parks in Sri Lanka operate daily throughout the year, remaining open from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Entry ticket counters open at 6.00 a.m. and close at 4.00 p.m., and all vehicles are required to exit the parks strictly by 6.00 p.m.

The payment can be made in USD or LKR equivalent

“The Great World’s End” and Bakers Falls Trail

The great world's End with a 4000-foot vertical drop at Horton Plains — The great world’s End with a 4000-foot vertical drop at Horton Plains

Besides the stunning climate, flora, and fauna, one of the most popular activities in Horton Plains is the scenic hiking trail that includes Mini World’s End, World’s End, and Baker’s Falls. World’s End features a breathtaking 4,000-foot vertical drop, about 4 kilometers from the trailhead. Often shrouded in mist, it’s best visited by late morning or early afternoon. Baker’s Falls, another highlight, lies around 3.3 kilometers from the trailhead along the same picturesque route.

The Horton Plains trail is essentially a circular route that begins and ends at the same point. You can start in either direction, covering about 9.4 kilometers to return to the trailhead. The hike begins at the checkpoint, where permits are verified and restricted items such as liquor, cigarettes, and lighters are collected. After a gentle 600-meter walk on flat terrain, you’ll reach the circular trail, which can be explored clockwise or anticlockwise.

An Elk Deer near the vehicle park @ Horton Plains National Park

Leg of Mutton pool on the trail to Bakers Falls @ Horton Plains National Park

Also See

Map of Horton Plains National Park

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.

Travel Directions to Horton Plains National Park

Route from Colombo to Horton Plains National Park through the Ohiya Entrance	Route from Colombo to Horton Plains National Park through the Pattipola Entrance
Through : Ratnapura – Balangoda – Haputale – Boralanda – Ohiya Distance : 210 km Travel time : 5 hours. Driving directions : see on Google map	Through : Awissawella – Karawanella – Ginigathena – Hatton – Thalawakele – Ambewela Distance : 183 km Travel time : 4 hours. Driving directions : see on Google map
Route from Bandarawela to Horton Plains National Park through the Ohiya Entrance	Route from Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains National Park through the Pattipola Entrance
Through : Diyathalawa – Boralanda – Ohiya Distance : 33 km Travel time : 45 mins. Driving directions : see on Google map	Through : Blackpool – Ambewela Distance : 27 km Travel time : 45 minutes. Driving directions : see on Google map