Pekoe Trail Stage 12

Udaweriya to Haputale

Basic stats

9.2 mi/14.8 km

Elevation gain: 1995 ft/608 m

Elevation loss: 3150 ft/960 m

Highest elevation: 6457 ft/1968 m

Wikiloc difficulty rating: difficult

Trail navigation info

GPS route and trail description on Wikiloc:

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/the-pekoe-trail-stage-12-udaweriya-to-haputale-118419246

Please see the full description of the trail on Wikiloc for information on the route. We had no major issues following the trail using GPS navigation (download the free Wikiloc app and mark at the bottom of the page to make the map and info available offline, or download it in another mapping app such as AllTrails).

While the route description on Wikiloc is really thorough, we would definitely recommend using GPS navigation to make sure you don't take a wrong turn! Since the trail isn't officially open yet, there are no signs and since you go through several small towns along the way today, you will encounter a number of junctions without an obvious correct choice.

Additional trail description/editorializing

This stage is so beautiful! You won't be trekking through much in the way of tea estates today, but it has expansive views over a few different valleys, varied terrain, a train tunnel, a ponderosa pine forest, and more. While it rained the night before, we didn't encounter any leeches on the trail 👍🏻.

Because much of this stage is on single-track trails that were, at times, a bit overgrown when we hiked it, we were much slower going today than on other days. Also because it was somewhat overgrown, we were very grateful to have our GPS navigation with us so we didn't get lost. We did, actually, walk on the train tracks after the tunnel longer than we were supposed to and had to back-track to a not-super-obvious turn-off on the right side of the trail, so double check your route there!

Beautiful stage 12 trail views

NON-TRAIL INFO

Before you start

You'll start your day in Udaweriya. Since we didn't hike stage 11, we took the train from Nuwara Eliya (unreserved 3rd class because we didn't book tickets in advance, which was crowded but fine) to Ohiya and had our guest house arrange us a tuk-tuk ride from the train station. This worked out great and seemed to be the same price as if we had arranged it ourselves.

We stayed at Hill Safari Eco Lodge (Hill Safari - Tea Estate Villa on Booking; not an affiliate link), which was great! It was pricier than our other accommodations but included dinner and breakfast and the views were spectacular. We booked it a day in advance on Booking and were glad we did because it was completely full the night we stayed there. The manager and staff of the lodge were very helpful and knowledgeable about hiking in the area, so if you were interested in hiking in Horton Plains National Park or on other trails in the area, they would be able to provide information and/or arrange a ride/guide/etc. We had to walk about 30 minutes to reach the trail for stage 12.

View from Hill Safari Eco Lodge

Misty Mountain Lodge also seemed like a good option, but I would suggest double checking the location because the Google Maps location doesn't line up with the pin on the Pekoe Trail accommodations map so I'm not sure exactly where it's located.

Udaweriya isn't much of a town and we did not see any shops or ATMs near our guest house or on the way to the trailhead.

Food

There are a few snack shops and restaurants in Idalgashinna, which we reached right about at lunch time, but didn't encounter anything before or after this town until we reached the outskirts of Haputale. If you sit at the train station in Idalgashinna to eat lunch, you can watch the trains come and go and time your walk along the tracks and through the tunnel to follow behind a train going the same way. This way, you won't have to worry about a train coming along while you're still on them.

Haputale is a pretty big town, so there are lots of snack and restaurant options at all price points.

Accommodations

In Haputale, we stayed at Amaya View Guest Inn, which we booked on Booking the day before. It was excellent—clean and comfortable room, lovely shared balcony with a beautiful view, truly delicious food, and really kind and generous owners. The adult son rescues animals in town and was raising the two tiniest and cutest kittens (and their mother), and the whole family was very sweet. The guest house is also close to the train station, which was nice since we took the train back to Ella the next day.

Amaya View Guest Inn balcony view and delicious dinner

Other accommodation options

There are tons of options at all price points in Haputale.

Other amenities in town

There were a few ATMs, shops, restaurants, etc in Haputale. You can probably find any non-speciality items you need to stock up on here.