Why to visit Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)
Adam's Peak, or Sri Pada as it is called, is a mountain of divine repose. At an elevation of about 2,243 m, it is the most sacred destination for Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Muslims, as it has the sacred footprint said to belong to either Buddha, Shiva, or Adam, depending on the respective religion. The trek to Adam's while the sun rises is the most enchanting experience found in Sri Lanka.
What Is Special About Adam's Peak
- Sacred Footprint: At the summit, a footprint-shaped indentation is worshipped by multiple faiths - Buddhists believe it belongs to Buddha, Hindus attribute it to Shiva, and Christians and Muslims associate it with Adam.
- Sunrise Views: The pre-dawn trek to the top rewards hikers with an unforgettable sunrise. The sunrise casts a triangular shadow over surrounding hills.
- Pilgrimage Tradition: The hike is an annual pilgrimage for thousands of devotees, especially between December and May, when the path is illuminated.
- Challenging Yet Rewarding Climb: The trek involves over 5,500 steps, making it a challenging yet spiritually rewarding experience.
Things to Do at Adam's Peak
- Hiking: One could take a hike to the summit, set to leave at night to reach the summit before sunrise to take the view.
- Visit the Sacred Footprint Temple: A watch of the holy footprint atop the altar.
- Enjoy the Views: On a clear day, you'll be able to see from the peak down to Colombo and the Indian Ocean.
- Experience Pilgrimage Culture: Meet the locals while they go about their spiritual pilgrimage, which certainly enhances the cultural perspective during the trek.
Unknown Facts About Adam's Peak
- Traditionally, the pilgrimage season runs from December to May, whereas off-season hikes are difficult due to rain and fog.
- Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya in Colombo boasts a replica of the holy footprint.
- Some ancient texts expressed that during his Asian conquests, Alexander the Great came to the summit.
- It's a very old ritual that Buddhists believe that, for every successful climb, the bell at the pinnacle is rung once.
Entry Fee
Free entry: No entry fee for climbing Adam's Peak, but donations are welcome at the summit shrine.
Timings
Open 24/7: Where most treks begin at around 2:00 AM so as to reach the top for sunrise.
Average Duration for Hiking
4-6 hours: Depending on fitness levels, the uphill trek takes 2.5-4 hours and, descending about 1.5-2 hours.
Distance from Cities
- Colombo - 135 km (4 hours drive)
- Kandy - 80 km (3 hours drive)
- Hatton - 32 km (1 hour drive): the next biggest town from Adam's Peak.
Other Tourist Spots Nearby
- Laxapana Falls (25 km)
- Horton Plains National Park (60 km)
- St. Clair Falls (45 km)
- Devon Falls (50 km)
