Today’s stage begins in Uda Pussellawa at an elevation of 1,275 meters and concludes in Kandapola at 1,936 meters. The elevation gain is significant but rewarding, especially since we traverse tea trails with a gradual and manageable ascent. Uda Pussellawa, a vibrant little town, offers essential services like fruit vendors, small supermarkets, a bank, and a pharmacy. Be sure to carry plenty of water for the journey.

We start by following the main road out of town toward Ragala for the first 700 meters, before turning left onto a well-used dirt track frequently traveled by locals. At 1.7 km, the trail loops back, crossing to the other side of a small valley. For the next 3 km, we weave through lush tea fields, reaching the highest point of this initial section at 4.7 km. This stretch takes us across the Gordon Estate, situated along the border of the Central and Uva provinces. From here, a 2 km descent offers breathtaking views of the valleys below, leading us to the “Ambalama Junction” at the 6.7 km mark.

From the junction, the trail climbs steadily for 6 km toward Kandapola, tracing an old south-facing secondary road. Along the way, we are treated to sweeping views of the Uva bowl. On clear days, you can spot Haputale, Lipton’s Seat, and Ella Rock defining the edges of the Uva basin. This region is also a hub for vegetable cultivation, with every available patch of soil dedicated to growing carrots and leeks.

At 10.1 km, we leave the vegetable fields behind and enter a high-elevation rainforest for the next 3 km. This patch of autochthonous forest is rich with wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and even leopards. The old, almost forgotten secondary road winds through the forest, connecting Kandapola with the Uva Province. As we ascend, the cooler temperature becomes noticeably refreshing, particularly while traversing the forest.

At 13 km, we exit the forest and reach the highest point of today’s journey. The trail now takes us through the picturesque Hethersett Estate, where we get a glimpse of the iconic Heritance Tea Factory Hotel. This repurposed tea factory exemplifies how heritage conservation can be integrated with tourism. In 2007, the Sunday Times (UK) ranked it among the “100 Best Places to Stay in the World.”

The trail loops around the hotel and descends toward Kandapola, where the stage concludes at the petrol station in the town center.

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