Sigiriya might steal the show, but Pidurangala Rock is the one to hike in Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya Rock is one of the most popular and famous tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. It’s an ancient rock fortress with a brilliant view from the top. However, you might not have heard about Sigiriya’s neighbouring rock. Pidurangala Rock might not have quite the same historical significance as Sigiriya, but the view from the top is arguably even more impressive.
Entrance to Pidurangala Rock
WHY PIDURANGALA ROCK?
There are many reasons to hike Pidurangala Rock. First, while the hike is a bit of a challenge, the effort is well worth it.
There aren’t crowds of people here like there are at Sigiriya Rock. We only saw a few other people throughout the entire hike.
Even though Sigiriya Rock has some really intriguing features, like the massive lion paws before the final ascent to the top, Pidurangala Rock has some interesting elements. There’s a giant reclining Buddha statue about halfway up, partially reconstructed out of brick.
ARRIVING AND ASCENDING
At the base, you’ll see the Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya, a white temple by the road. To climb Pidurangala Rock, you need to pass through the temple and pay the 500 LKR donation fee (about $3 USD). Compared to the steep price tag of $30 USD at Sigiriya Rock, it’s a bargain.
Make sure you bring a sarong or scarf, as you’ll need to cover your shoulders when you walk through the temple grounds. We completely forgot to bring ours this time around, but you can rent one from a stand at the side of the road for 100 LKR.
The first part of the hike is a fairly steady ascent, walking next to a steep rock wall. There are some stairs and large boulders to step across. I highly recommend that you wear hiking boots or sneakers with a grip. This is essential for the second portion of the hike that isn’t quite as easy to navigate.
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