The Pekoe Trail Stage 05 : Pundal Oya to Watagoda

The Pekoe Trail : Stage 5

Pundalu Oya to Watagoda

This stage begins in Pundaluoya, a small hill country village. Prepare yourself for a hike with steep descents and trails that take you around villages and mountainsides. You will cross the Pundal Oya River where you will be spoiled by spectacular views of a waterfall straight out of a scene from the Jungle Book.

As you gain elevation curving around mountains, the Kotmale River gorge comes into view. Look out for a vintage red telephone booth as you make your way. Stop to smell the patches of wildflowers growing on the sides of the road or take short breaks on the sections of emerald green paddy if you need to rest.

Trail INFO

Length: 14.31 km (8.89 mi)
Average Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
People Interactions: High
Region: Hatton
Elevation Gain: 780m (2,559 ft)
Elevation Loss: 356m (1,168 ft)
Maximum Elevation: 1352m (4,436 ft)

DIFFICULTY

Forward: Moderate
Reverse: Moderate

Points of Interest

River crossings

Wewahena bridge

Waterfalls

Paddy fields

The great wall

Medakumbura Estate

Views of the Dimbula Valley

Watagoda train station

Watagoda Town

Emergency Points

PMCU – Pundalu Oya

Divisional Hospital North Medakumbura

Stage is Open Trail signage is in place and trail is monitored. Navigation on The Pekoe Trail App

pekoe trail Stage 05

Pundalu Oya ⇌ Watagoda

The Pekoe Trail Stage 1 begins at: Pundalu Oya

The Pekoe Trail Stage 1 ends at: Watagoda

Today’s stage begins just before Pundaloya Town near the river crossing, an easy-to-spot landmark ideal for meeting guides or drivers for pick-up or drop-off. About 100 meters ahead, a small road to the right leads through a cluster of village homes. As we pass through the town, we walk by the local mosque, police station, and a row of houses lining the edge of the village.

The trail continues with a scenic zigzag over a kilometer of paddy fields and light forest, crossing a beautiful river along the way. At the 1.9 km point, the trail merges onto a secondary road that descends into the valley. Traffic is sparse, so it remains a peaceful walk. We follow this road until the 5.7 km mark, where we take a right turn onto a new track. From this point, the path heads uphill at a gentle, manageable gradient, leading us to the stage’s conclusion.

For the next 4 km, we walk along a picturesque village road, passing a serene Buddhist temple and winding through lush paddy fields and charming village homes. The views are enchanting, but this section is just the prelude to the tea-draped landscapes ahead.

At the 9.6 km point, the trail veers left, and we find ourselves back on tea estate roads. To the left lies the stunning view of the Dimbula Hills and a dramatic “wall” of rock and forest, which feels almost insurmountable in its grandeur. This natural wonder, reminiscent of the “wall” in Game of Thrones, forms the boundary of the Pundaloya Valley. On top of this rock face is one of the most photogenic tea estates in the region, offering unparalleled views from higher elevations.

Dimbula is a historically significant tea-growing region and one of the earliest districts to be planted. As we climb, we are truly entering the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country.

At the 10.5 km mark, we pass the Elpitiya Elders Home, leaving it on our right, and continue along estate trails. Shortly after, we pass a tea factory on the left and prepare for the final ascent.

The last push includes a short but invigorating climb of about 2 km to Watagoda. At the 12.7 km point, the trail crosses a small dam and navigates three quick switchbacks before descending slightly into Watagoda Town.

This vibrant little village, dotted with shops and kades, is a perfect endpoint to the stage. The Watagoda Train Station marks the official conclusion of this leg of The Pekoe Trail.

Responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources and allow for long-term environmental quality.