At the heart of Sri Lanka's hill country rises a sharp cone of rock that Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians all hold sacred. Sri Pada, known to many as Adam's Peak, stands at 2,243 metres, and on its summit is a large depression in the rock shaped like a footprint. For Buddhists it is the footprint of the Buddha; for Hindus, of Shiva; for Muslims and some Christians, of Adam. The mountain lies within the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, a large expanse of montane forest that is part of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka World Heritage site, listed in 2010.
The pilgrimage season runs from the full moon in December to the full moon in May, when thousands of people climb the steps to the summit, most of them at night to arrive in time for sunrise. The path from Dalhousie, the usual starting point, is lit and lined with tea stalls, and the climb takes several hours. At dawn, if the weather is clear, the peak casts a perfect triangular shadow across the clouds and the hills to the west. It is a magical experience, shared with families, monks and old pilgrims who have made the climb many times.
The forest around the peak is rich in wildlife, with endemic birds, monkeys and reptiles, and rivers that flow down to the lowlands. The lower slopes are covered with tea estates, a legacy of British colonial rule, with neat rows of bushes on steep hillsides and the colourful saris of the pickers.
Riding in the hill country is spectacular and demanding. The roads wind endlessly through tea estates and forest, with tight bends, steep gradients and narrow sections. Buses are the main hazard: they drive fast, overtake on blind corners and expect everything else to get out of the way. Surfaces vary, and landslides can block roads in the monsoon. Driving is on the left.
Hatton is the nearest town of any size, with fuel, shops and simple restaurants, and it is the gateway for Dalhousie. Fill up before heading into the hills. The weather is cool at altitude, and nights can be cold, so bring a warm layer for the climb. The southwest monsoon brings heavy rain from May to September; the pilgrimage season coincides with the drier months. Watch out for leeches on the forest trails.