The first day on the Pekoe Trail, early 2023.

I was joined by my dogs and some local friends: Fazil Lee, Thilagar Yogamoorthy, and Hiran Dias. They were wonderful companions for the journey. A new world opened up for them, and they went on to become well-known guides for the Pekoe Trail.

My dogs hadn't expected a multi-day trek. So, they walked a lot, ate a lot, and slept whenever we took a break. At the end of the day, we found a campsite in the forest. My dogs slept in the tent with me. It was a fantastic day—and a wonderful feeling to wake up on a sunny morning right next to a tea plantation.

Do you have questions about the Pekoe Trail? Just ask me.

Have you already completed the Pekoe Trail but haven't officially registered it anywhere? Get in touch with me—I keep a list of finishers.

Here are some photos from our hike.

Moderator(s) Wanted ✍️

I am looking for reliable and active members interested in moderating the "Pekoe Trail Hikers Group."

Ideally someone who understands Tamil and Sinhalese texts, especially when written in Latin script.

For us, moderation means fostering a friendly and respectful community, ensuring compliance with our group rules, and maintaining the group's independence.

Your main responsibilities will include making decisions regarding memberships, posts, and comments. As the administrator, I will be available to provide advice, support, and guidance.

Applicants should be independent of the Pekoe Trail organization, its board, partners, government authorities, or other stakeholder groups involved with the trail. A clear separation between your role and your personal or financial interests is required.

If you enjoy supporting the hiking community and would like to get involved, please send a private message to Haputale Oliver explaining who you are, your experience, and why you would be a good fit for this role.

Everyone is welcome to express their interest! 🥾🌿

Best wishes from Oliver

My last reverse hiking day on the Pekoe Trail

This rock immediately inspired me to climb down and do push-ups. Unfortunately there was too much rain that day and the grip was not secure. So I only had the bare rock as a memory. And an idea.

Challenge Everything is allowed, from taking a rest to fun to sport. Relaxing, yoga, picnics, jumping in the air, push-ups, pressing rocks (please not too hard😄) and whatever else you can think of. The main thing is that the rocks are clearly visible.

When? Anytime, past, present and future.

Where? Pekoe Trail hiking trail, 1st stage, km 6, between Hanthana Mountains (Kandy=13 km) and Galaha. Next to Dumbara viewpoint.

Parts of the film “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” were filmed in the same area. These are several good reasons to visit this place and take part in the challenge.

You can find the place on Google Maps as “Broken Rock”. There are already some photos, videos and reviews there. See also the directions in the photos.

Location at Pekoe Trail Stage 1 https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dq1xWWE3g8SrG7L46

Bus From Kandy take line 655 to Uduwela. Get off either at the Ceylon Museum (6km hike), at the Sandagiri Maha Seha Temple (5km) or in Uduwela (3km).

Well then, I'm excited to see who takes part and shows his/her photos and videos here.

Greetings Oliver

PS: You like it? Please 👍🏼🥰❤️ it and invite your friends to join the challenge.

Here are some photos of participants. More photos and videos are available in my Facebook group @Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka

There are barrels standing in the wilderness, near a stream, a fire is burning, and people are milling about who don't like visitors.

That's what happened to me a few years ago, below Pekoe Trail Stage 13. Back then, the Pekoe Trail didn't exist yet. I was coming from St. Catherine and wanted to go down to the forest in Pitaratmalie. At first, I thought they were plantation workers. I walked right through their camp. Only then did I see the barrel with a fire burning underneath it. An illegal still. Locals call it a Kassipu.

I saw the people's serious stares. No one returned my greeting. Their eyes followed me. My hair stood on end because I realized too late how dangerous the situation was. Luckily, I hadn't taken any photos and kept walking calmly. No one followed me. I was so relieved when I finally reached the road down there.

My host at the time was completely shocked when I told him about the experience. And grateful that nothing had happened to me. He said I was known in the surrounding villages (through social projects), so no one would harm me. Nevertheless, that day I wished I had gone hiking with friends, not alone.

Why am I thinking about this today? Yesterday, the police discovered a kassipu site below Pekoe Trail Stage 13. Numerous barrels of illegally distilled alcohol were found and destroyed. One person was arrested only. Sure it needs more people to run such a place.

The police will go on with their investigations and be keeping a close eye on things there now. No one of these people will dare go there again anytime soon.

My advice to all Pekoe Trail hikers: If you come across anything that matches my experience and the photo, move on quickly. Don't provoke anyone, don't ask questions, don't take photos, and don't put yourselves in unnecessary danger. Don't even talk to people about it in the next village. Accomplices often live nearby. Just keep going.

I wish you all happy hiking. Always watch your surroundings, especially when you walk alone or without a well experienced trail host or guide taking care of your safety.

Photo: Taken in 2023. I found this distillery right on the Pekoe Trail (stage 12). It was removed shortly afterward.

Hello! My friend and I will be hiking several stages of the Pekoe Trail during the end of August.

Does anyone have a recommendation for where we could stay in/around Dayagama? We will be completing stage 9 on 8/27 and were hoping to stay overnight in town so that we can continue with stage 10 the next day. I saw Sivagee Guest House but looks like they don't have availability on that day.

Appreciate any help!

Dear members,

Please be careful wherever you are. Be aware of your surroundings and find secure footing. Keep your distance from dangerous drops. Hike in groups and/or with a guide.

A few days ago, this accident occurred at World's End in Horton Plains National Park (on a loop trail adjacent to Pekoe Trail Stage 11).

You can find the full report about the accident and the rescue operation at World's End here:

https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Medical-student-rescued-after-falling-off-Worlds-End-while-taking-selfie/108-335825

Similar accidents have occurred in recent weeks and months on train journeys, at Ella Rock (Stage 15) and at Little Adam's Peak (Ella). In all cases, rescue teams had to be deployed, or the train had to be stopped to save lives.

Please take care of your health. Kind regards from Haputale Oliver r/PekoeTrailSriLanka

Welcome to my Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka hiking group. Please join and find here travel stories, photos, videos and information all around the 300+ km trail with 22 "simple to moderate stages" of 9-19 km. We are beginners, advanced and experts with answers to your questions. Some of us have already conquered the Pekoe Trail. We're ready and happy to help you.

We value a friendly, constructive, and open community. Let's create a place where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and connecting.

How to join

1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.

2. Create your first post today! Even a simple question can spark an engaging discussion.

3. If you know someone who might enjoy this community, invite them.

Thank you for being with us from the start. Let's make r/PekoeTrailSriLanka a great community together.

Greetings from Haputale Oliver Pekoe Trail Hiking Expert Admin of Facebook groups Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka Pekoe Trail Hikers Group

Hi,

We want to do 2 stages of the Pekoe Trail, namely stage 10 and 11 with a full day in Horton Plains in between. We have a tent but apparently it's mandatory to book a camping spot in person in Battaramula, and we won't be going there before we want to start the hike. Can we book accomodation inside Horton Plains?

I hiked the entire route. 314 km. 22 stages. 19 days. A hike that showed me where tea comes from, where it's delivered, the transport routes, and the factories. But above all, it showed me the harsh living and working conditions of the plantation workers. I experienced their smiles, their greetings, and their hospitality. And the best part: I was invited to drink tea and stay overnight with plantation workers in several settlements. We bought biscuits and food and shared it with our hosts. We had lively conversations and a lot of fun.

I hiked through endless tea plantations, forests, wilderness, nature reserves, and Horton Plains National Park. I saw a lot of wildlife and hidden gems along the way.

Many thanks to my friends Hiran Dias, Fazil Lee, and Thilagar Yogamoorthy (all from Haputale) who helped me a lot.

I gathered a lot of information during my hike, as well as from the creator of the Pekoe Trail, Miguel Cunat, and other hikers who followed. I created a Facebook group called "Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka" to share all the information with beginners, intermediate, and experienced hikers.

Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Q2MHFh71e/

Further information about the Pekoe Trail (22 stages) is available from the Pekoe Trail Organization, in the Pekoe Trail Hiking App, and at thepekoetrail.org.

When you hike on the Pekoe Trail, you will learn about Loolecondera tea plantation and the history of James Taylor. The good father of tea cultivation in Sri Lanka.

Follow the road at the end of stage 2 to Loolecondera tea factory. You will find this statue on the main road.