Haputale

Introducing Haputale

Perched at the southern edge of the Hill Country, the largely Tamil town of Haputale clings to a long, narrow mountain ridge with the land falling away steeply on both sides. The bowl-shaped Uva valley, surrounded by the Idalgashinna and Ohiya peaks, as well as the Horton Plains plateau, lies to the north and east of the ridge, while the foothills of the lower Uva descend from the other side all the way to the sea. On a clear day you can see all the way to the south coast from this ridge, and at night the Hambantota lighthouse may be visible.

The town centre itself is a squall of traffic and small shops, but a short walk out of town quickly repays the effort with extraordinary views. The railway hugs one side of the ridge.

As in many places in the Hill Country, the legacies of the British planters live on. There are tea estates on hillsides, and the old plantation bungalows, some of which have lovely gardens. There’s also a pretty little Anglican church (St Andrew’s) on the Bandarawela road. The headstones in its cemetery make for interesting reading.

Haputale is a pleasant place with some good cheap accommodation, and makes a good base for visiting Horton Plains National Park, exploring other places in the area, or just taking pleasant walks in cool mountain air. Guesthouses arrange vans and 4WDs to Horton Plains for Rs 1700.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009