A GUIDE TO Hiking Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail (2024)
Carving a path through the hill country and old tea estates of Sri Lanka’s interior, the Pekoe Trail takes you through remote villages, untrodden mountain trails and beautiful eucalyptus forests.
Tropical plants flourish, silence is all around and you’ll enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery you’ve ever witnessed.
Local Sri Lankans go about their daily lives, as you pass through small villages undisturbed by tourism. Expect full days immersed in the serenity of nature, interacting only with the people who live there.
Solo hiking the Pekoe Trail is one of the most nourishing and enjoyable things I’ve ever experienced. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
The Pekoe Trail takes you through Sri Lanka’s hill country and tea estates
Where is the Pekoe Trail?
The Pekoe Trail is found in the heart of Sri Lanka, winding its way through the country’s central highlands.
Stretching for almost 300 kilometres, it starts in Kandy and takes hikers through some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful areas, until finally reaching Nuwara Eliya.
The scenery is stunning and the trails are quiet, as it is largely unheard of.
The trail only launched late 2023 and for most of the sections I walked I didn’t see anyone else. However, it is easy to access as the start and end points are well-known tourist locations.
Section 15 of the Pekoe Trail takes you along the train tracks to Ella.
What is the Pekoe Trail?
The Pekoe Trail is the brainchild of adventurer and sustainability expert Miguel Cunat, who has lived in Sri Lanka for 20 years. The project has been supported and funded by the EU and USAID.
The idea is that the Pekoe Trail will encourage sustainable travel and bring economic opportunity to rural Sri Lankan communities. Split into 22 stages of up to 20 km, hikers can choose individual sections, multi-day hikes or to take on the whole trail.
Does anyone live on the Pekoe Trail?
Whilst hiking the Pekoe Trail you’ll have the privilege of meeting members of Sri Lanka’s Tamil community.
Many are descended from labourers brought from India by the British when they colonised Sri Lanka in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today – like their ancestors – many Tamils still work the land, picking and harvesting tea leaves.
Work on the tea estates is hard labour for little pay and many of the villages you will pass through miss out on the economic benefits of Sri Lanka tourism because of their remote location.
Purchasing from local shops is a great way to give back – picking up a fresh coconut or some snacks to keep you going whilst hiking is a win-win situation.
Tea workers carrying tea leaves on the Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka
Why hike the Pekoe TRail?
For a taste of authentic Sri Lanka, this route is a must-see. It’s the best way to see what life is really like in the lesser known parts of this island country.
Here’s what you can expect:
Spend hours without seeing other tourists, interacting only with the people who live there.
Discover a sense of peacefulness and to surround yourself in some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.
Customise your route, choosing shorter sections if you’re less experienced, or combining multiple sections for a longer trek.
Gain insight to Sri Lanka’s famous tea industry and the surrounding hill country.
Easy access to the start and end points of the Pekoe Trail.
Support local communities by spending money in areas which don’t typically benefit from tourism.
Stunning wildlife along the way, including birds, insects and tropical plant species.
I hiked 33 km of the Pekoe Trail in 2024
Can I hike the Pekoe Trail?
This was my first unassisted solo hike and I would strongly recommend it to other travellers. I had wonderful interactions with people, was repeatedly blown away by what I saw and I finished each section with a sense of achievement.
The Pekoe Trail is easier than a lot of other hiking trails, with many sections having little to no elevation. You can tailor your route to suit your needs, opting for shorter sections if you have less hiking experience, or combining multiple sections to cover more distance.
You don’t need a guide, but paying a local guide benefits the local community and can help you learn more about the area’s history. If you prefer to hike the Pekoe Trail solo, you’ll find routes for each section on All Trails.
To find a guide, check out the Pekoe Trail Hikers Group Facebook page.
There is plenty of beautiful wildlife to discover along the Pekoe Trail
Is hiking the Pekoe Trail safe?
I felt extremely safe when hiking 23 kilometres of the Pekoe Trail as a solo female traveller. I was also told by my Sri Lankan friends I had nothing to worry about when I asked them before leaving.
Nonetheless, pack a basic first aid kit and be sure you know where you’re going before you hit the trails. When hiking alone, always let someone know what your plans are and when you expect to arrive at your accommodation.
Leave early to give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your end point before it gets dark – some of the paths are hard to see and very overgrown.
Stopping off for a snack and a coconut at a village store in Mukalella
WHen to visit the Pekoe Trail
You can hike the Pekoe Trail at any time of year, though the dry season (November to April) is probably best. During the wet season parts of the trail can become very muddy, there are also lots of leeches and not all of the tea estates are open.
That being said, it can rain any time of year, so pack a rain coat and a decent pair of walking shoes. You should also expect hot weather – Sri Lanka is consistently hitting temperatures of around 30 degrees throughout the whole year.
How to get to the Pekoe Trail
Getting to the starting point of your hike will depend on which sections you choose to walk. Trains, buses and taxis provide an easy way to reach both Kandy and Nuwara Eliya from Colombo or Galle.
For more information on using public transport in Sri Lanka, read my blog.
Tea workers were picking leaves throughout the tea estates when I visited in January
My route/ experience of hiking the Pekoe Trail
I walked two sections of the Pekoe Trail solo on day 1, before meeting a friend in Ella. We hiked the next section together on day 2.
Day 1: Lipton Tea Estate to Ella via Makulella (23 km)
Starting at Lipton Tea Estate, I made my way through the tea plantation to the starting point of section 14 at St Catherine’s. Passing through tiny villages and overgrown mountain trails, this section was an incredible way to get lost in the landscapes. I didn’t see any tourists and enjoyed seemingly endless panoramic views.
I completely fell in love with Sri Lanka during this section – so much so I decided to walk the next stage from Makulella to Ella.
Stage 15 took me through silent eucalyptus forests and patches of jungle until I walked past a monastery and reached Ella Rock, famous for its views over the Ella Gap and towards Adams Peak. From here, I climbed down the mountain and followed the railway tracks until I arrived in Ella.
I enjoyed the Pekoe Trail so much I covered two sections in one day
Day 2: Ella to Demodara (10 km)
Starting in Ella, provisioned with fresh fruits and snacks we entered into the Ella Forest Reserve and made our way to the spectacular Nine Arches Bridge. This section is popular with visitors, but after crossing the bridge we didn’t see any other tourists.
The late morning and early afternoon were spent passing through a tiny village, with further views of the bridge and through agricultural areas. The final approach to Demodara was through another tea estate.
Unfortunately, I got sick after day 2 so my experience of the Pekoe Trail ended there. However, I would have loved to experience more of it and I highly recommend these three sections.
Day 2 took us past the famous Nine Arches Bridge near Ella
Where to stay along the Pekoe Trail
Check for accommodation options and plan ahead, as some ending points of certain sections (like Makulella) are remote and without accommodation. In busier towns like Ella, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya you should be able to find something more last minute.
I like to try and stay in locally owned businesses and homestays for a more authentic feel and to make sure my money is benefitting the local community.
Here’s where I stayed:
White Monkey Dias Rest, Haputale
Ella Value Village, Ella
Pekoe Trail stage 15: Makulella to Ella
What to pack for hiking the Pekoe Trail?
Pack light as it’s hard work carrying bags in the sweltering heat. However, not too light as there are sections of the Pekoe Trail where you won’t be able to buy many things.
Another option is to pay for a tuk tuk to deliver your belongings to your next accommodation, so you can take a small day pack with you. Local homestays, hotels and hostels will be able to help you make arrangements and tuk tuks are very reasonably priced so it is a feasible option.
I left my larger bags at White Monkey Dias Rest and returned for them by bus after a couple of days when I had finished walking.
Here are the essentials for on the trail:
Water bottle
Sun hat
Snacks (and stuff for a picnic for lunch)
Hiking boots
Hiking socks (or anti-leech socks)
Waterproof jacket
Lightweight hiking trousers
Lightweight long-sleeved top for sun protection
Camera / GoPro
Phone + portable charger
Backpack
Packing light makes it much easier to hike the Pekoe Trail because of the heat
How much does it cost to hike the Pekoe Trail?
At the moment, it is free to walk the Pekoe Trail. However, there have been discussions about introducing a hiking permit. This would most likely be an optional gratuity of small value, the proceeds of which would go towards maintaining the trail and supporting the surrounding communities.
Accommodation in Sri Lanka is affordable. I paid around 30 USD per night for average accommodation in beautiful locations including breakfast. Both were private double rooms with views.
Food is also affordable and if you ask your guesthouse, they may be able to provide something for you to take on the hike.
The Pekoe Trail provides unique insight into Sri Lanka’s tea industry
Conclusion
After hiking the Pekoe Trail I feel it is a must-do on your Sri Lanka itinerary. It’s a unique experience, through some of the most beautiful parts of the country where you can also gain insight into its history. For those looking to enjoy authentic travel experiences, it’s one of the best ways to see how local Tamil people live and if I ever return to Sri Lanka I will definitely do it again.
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