Adam’s Peak Hike: Climbing Sri Lanka’s Holy Mountain

A lot of my 28 day tuktuk road trip around Sri Lanka was based on my wanting to do the Adam’s Peak hike. The moment I read about this unique experience of trekking through the night to catch the sunrise from one of Sri Lanka’s holiest sites, I was hooked.

A long, uphill trek in the middle of the night to watch the sunrise may not seem that unique to those who’ve done the volcano treks in Indonesia or similar, but considering this would be my first sunrise trek, I was incredibly excited.

I lugged around the extra weight of my trekking boots and overprepared with warm base layers thinking it’d be extremely cold for almost a full month JUST for this one night experience. Truth be told, it was worth it. It was one of the more challenging treks I’ve done in my life. Especially since I was out of practice for a while, it really pushed me both mentally and physically. And it ended up being an incredibly cathartic experience. Pilgrimage for a reason, I guess?!

Anyway, without much further ado, I present to you this Adam’s Peak hike guide so you can learn from my mistakes and do it better!

⛰️Visiting Adam’s Peak? Here are a few quick links at a glance:
✈️Book Flights: Skyscanner for cheapest deals
🚤Book Transfers: 12goAsia
🛌Book Hotels: Booking for best deals
🤳Best Adam’s Peak Tours: Get Your Guide
🩺Global Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
🧴Sunscreen: Thank You Farmer (Reef Safe), Foxtale (SPF 70)

Adam’s Peak/ Sri Pada Mountain History

Adam’s Peak, also known as Sri Pada, is a holy mountain located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Standing at 2,243 meters (7,359 feet), it has been a pilgrimage site for over a thousand years. It boasts a rich history intertwined and is revered by multiple religions, including Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians.

The mountain is renowned for its 1.8-meter rock formation near the summit. Buddhists believe this rock to be the footprint of the Buddha, left during his third visit to Sri Lanka, hence the name Sri Pada which means “sacred footprint” in Sinhalese.

The name “Adam’s Peak” stems from Muslim and Christian traditions attributing the footprint to be the first place where Adam stepped onto earth after his expulsion from Eden. Hindus revere it as the footprint of Lord Shiva, its Tamil name Sivanolipaathamalai meaning “Mountain of Shiva’s Light”.

Despite religious variations, the history of Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka has endured as a sacred pilgrimage site for centuries, attracting devotees from all walks of life.

How to Get to Adam’s Peak

There are a total of six routes to do the Adam’s Peak hike Sri Lanka. The route from the village of Nallathanniya, also known as Dalhousie, in the Central Province of the country, is the most common because of its well laid out path of over 5000 stairs to the top. The nearest major town to Nallathanniya is Hatton. Adam’s Peak hike distance from Nallathanniya is 6 kilometres.

Other routes start from Ratnapura/Palabaddala, Kuruwita/Erathna and others. These are forest trails that are longer but not as steep as Hatton/Nallathanniya. I assume these would also be more authentic and fun as they are not very touristy.

But for the sake of this Adam’s Peak Sri Lanka hike guide, we’ll focus on the Hatton/Nallathanniya as that’s the only one I’ve done!

Adam’s Peak by Tuktuk

Now this, in my humble opinion, is the best way to get to Adam’s Peak and also the option I chose for myself. If you didn’t already know, you can actually drive a tuktuk in Sri Lanka all by yourself!

Use code AVANTIKA for a 5% discount on the tuktukrental website

I drove from Kandy to Hatton (stopping at Ambuluwawa Tower on the way), and spent a night at Hatton. Then the following night, I arranged for a tuktuk driver to drive me to the Adam’s Peak hike start point and also bring me back to Hatton. It worked out perfectly!

Adam’s Peak by Train

The nearest train station to Adam’s Peak is Hatton. Hatton is well-connected by train to the tourist towns of Ella, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya. This is the same famous Sri Lankan train ride which offers scenic views of the Sri Lankan countryside and tea plantations.

From Hatton, there is one daily bus going to Nallathanniya in the morning. Or else, a tuktuk or taxi can also be arranged for the 1.5 hour long journey.

Adam’s Peak by Bus

Depending on where you’re travelling from, you may have to change buses a couple of times, and once definitely at Hatton. This is not a very convenient route as there is only one morning bus running from Hatton to Nallathanniya.

Final Leg: Nallathanniya to Adam’s Peak Hike

• Hiking Route: The Adam’s Peak hike length to the summit is about 6 kilometres from Nallathanniya, with about 5000+ stairs leading uphill. The climb takes approximately 3-5 hours one way, depending on your pace and fitness level. It took me 4 hours uphill, and 2 hours down.
  
• Timing: Many pilgrims start the ascent at night to reach the peak by sunrise, offering spectacular views and a unique shadow cast by the mountain. I started the climb at 2 am and was up at the summit by 6 am. By then, the sun was already fully out so I missed the shadow cast and the first break of light, unfortunately.

Best Adam’s Peak Hike Itinerary

I took my sweet little time with the Adam’s Peak hike Sri Lanka as it was my first time doing an overnight/ sunrise hike and I wanted to give my body enough rest and not rush things. Overall, my Adam’s Peak journey took 3 nights and 4 days. Here is my Adam’s Peak hike itinerary:

Day 1: Kandy to Hatton (via Ambuluwawa Tower) by tuktuk self drive. Overnight at Hatton

Day 2: Hatton local sightseeing (Laxamanpura Waterfall and Castlereigh Reservoir). At night, drive to Nallathanniya, and hike to Adam’s Peak.

Day 3: Come back from Adam’s Peak, rest and recover. Overnight at Hatton.

Day 4: Leave Hatton, onwards to Ella.

Use code AVANTIKA for a 5% discount on the tuktukrental website

This Adam’s Peak hike itinerary worked out pretty well for me with enough time to relax, see extra sites and also actually do the hike. But if you’re short on time, and sure about your body’s capabilities, here is a suggested, shorter Adam’s Peak hike itinerary:

Day 1: Kandy/ Nuwara Eliya to Hatton and further to Nallathanniya. Start the Adam’s Peak hike from Nallathanniya at night.

Day 2: Adam’s Peak to Nallathanniya hike in the morning. Onwards to Ella/ next destination.

While this Adam’s Peak hike itinerary definitely saves you a lot of time and money, in my opinion, this would be very taxing and not worth it. You may want to add days as you wish depending on your mode of transport, time and budget.

Best Time to Do the Adam’s Peak Hike

The best time to do the Adam’s Peak hike Sri Lanka is during the pilgrimage season, from December to May. This period offers the most favourable weather conditions and a vibrant atmosphere due to the presence of many pilgrims.

• Pros: Skies are clear and temperatures comfortable (though during late December and January, it can get quite cold up there). The path is also well-lit at night and there are plenty of shops and amenities along the way. It’s also the most atmospheric time to climb, as you’ll be sharing the experience with thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.
  
• Cons: This is the busiest time of year, so expect large crowds and long queues, especially at weekends and on full moon days. Prices for accommodation and transportation will also be at their highest.

I did the Adam’s Peak hike in November which is the shoulder season (May, June, October, November). Contrary to popular belief, I actually think this is the best time to do Adam’s Peak hike. Here are my thoughts about the same:

• There were far fewer crowds than during peak season (only about 30 or so people at the top at a time, as compared to hundreds at peak time).
  
• Thankfully, the weather was in my favour. It had rained the day before but the day of my hike was nice and dry.
  
• Accommodation and transport prices were very reasonable.
  
• The paths were not lit at all and all shops were closed but I think I would prefer it that way. The darkness, apart from the moonlight and my torchlight was actually calming and fun. I wouldn’t want to do it with everything lit up and crowds everywhere.

Monsoon season (July to September) is perhaps the least crowded time of year to climb and also the Adam’s Peak off season. You’ll get the best deals on accommodation and transportation. But this is also a dangerous Adam’s Peak hike time due to the high chance of rain, landslides, and mudslides making the path slippery and difficult to navigate. Also, the cloud cover may mean you don’t get to see the sunrise at all (that was the case for me while doing the Little Adam’s Peak hike in Ella).

Adam’s Peak Hike Accommodation

While I stayed at Hatton during the Adam’s Peak hike, you can also choose to stay in the village of Nallathanniya (Dalhousie) if you prefer.

Dalhousie offers the most budget-friendly options, while Hatton has a wider range of options to suit all budgets. If you’re looking for a more comfortable stay with more amenities, Hatton is the better option. However, Dalhousie is definitely a more convenient option.

Here are some top picks for hotels in Hatton and hotels in Nallathanniya (Dalhousie):

Hatton

• Norwood Bungalow is an old tea estate bungalow been converted into luxury accommodation, offering a glimpse into the colonial past of the area while providing a more upscale experience with a pool, hot tub, gardens, bicycle rental and historical architecture.

• Walauwa On The Hill and Harrington Heritage are mid-range boutique hotels offering a modern take on a classic tea planter’s bungalow.

• KPL Holiday Homes is where I stayed. It’s run by a wonderful man, who goes out of your way to make sure you’re comfortable. The place is located right in the city centre, is budget-friendly, clean and comfortable and a shared kitchen is also available for guest’s use.

Nallathaniya (Dalhousie)

• Dilani Adamspeak RiverStay, Hugging Clouds and Daffodil’s Inn are budget-friendly options with basic facilities, well-regarded for their proximity to the trailhead and friendly service.
  
• Daddy’s Guest Home and Adam’s Peak Inn are mid-range options which offer more comfort and a cosy atmosphere with scenic views of the surrounding hills.

Adam’s Peak Hike Packing List

Having read all the Adam’s Peak hike Sri Lanka guides on the internet, I was sceptical and came overprepared carrying things I absolutely did not need on the day of the hike. So your Adam’s Peak hike packing list will most definitely depend on the season you’re visiting and the weather on the day of your hike.

If you’re thinking of what to wear for Adam’s Peak Sri Lanka, here is a general list:

• Daypack: A small backpack (around 20-30 litres) is all you need to carry your essentials for the hike.
• Comfortable, breathable hiking clothes: Opt for moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester to stay dry and comfortable. (Although, I’m a cotton girlie myself and I was just fine). Hiking pants or shorts that won’t chaff your thighs and will stay dry even in the nether areas are essential. It gets humid!
• Hiking boots or sandals: I carried my heavy duty boots only for this hike but later realised I would’ve been fine in my trekking sandals too. Probably.
• Rain jacket or poncho just in case.
• Light gym jacket/ light fleece/ down jacket: Depending on the season you’re visiting and your cold tolerance. I was sweaty throughout and hiked in my tank top. But at the summit, once I cooled down, I needed my light airport jacket. My hiking buddy did the hike in a sweatshirt. So go figure.

• Headlamp or flashlight: Especially if you’re going in the Adam’s Peak off season or shoulder season when the lights and shops are shut.
• Water and snacks: Bring enough for sustenance and energy along the way.
• Hat/ sunscreen/ sunglasses for when the sun comes up on your way down.
• Earphones/ headphones because the monotonous climbing of stairs can get boring and tiring in the middle of the night so you need music to pump yourself up. Trust me.

Tips for Doing the Adam’s Peak Hike

The Adam’s Peak hike can be a bit of a challenge for some (myself included) while it is easy breezy lemon squeezy for others. The toughest part is the monotony of climbing stairs, especially the final steep push to the summit.

Here are some tips for doing the Adam’s Peak hike Sri Lanka:

• Start early: Begin the hike around 1 am to 3 am to reach the summit in time for the spectacular sunrise. This timing also avoids the heat and humidity of the day.
• Know your fitness level: The hike is challenging with thousands of steps, so assess your fitness and take breaks as needed, and prepare your Adam’s Peak hike itinerary accordingly.
• Pack light: Carry only essentials to keep your backpack light.
• Have a proper dinner before: This might seem obvious but I made the mistake of not eating a big dinner and regretted it!
• Stay Hydrated: Regardless of the season, Sri Lanka is a tropical country and it can get quite humid.

FAQs About Adam’s Peak Hike

How long does it take to hike Adams Peak?

Adam’s Peak hike time can vary depending on several factors, including your fitness level, the time of year, and the size of the crowd. Adam’s Peak hike length is 6 kilometres one way. Most hikers take between 4 to 6 hours to complete the round trip. This includes 3 to 4 hours for the ascent and 1.5 to 2 hours for the descent. My round trip was 6 hours (4+2).

Is it worth climbing Adams Peak?

For me, it was definitely worth doing Adam’s Peak hike. It was my first ever overnight/ sunrise hike and it pushed my physical and mental boundaries and for that, I’ll always remember it. However, if you are someone who has done a night trek to catch the sunrise before, you might not find it as impressive because at the summit, the views have been fenced off and there is a tight space where everyone must gather together. So it can feel a little bit underwhelming.

How many stairs are in Adam’s Peak?

There are approximately 5,500 stairs leading up to the summit of Adam’s Peak.

How difficult is Adam’s Peak?

Adam’s Peak hike difficulty is moderate. The stairs add an extra effort and some sections especially in the last few hundred meters can get extremely steep.

What is the difference between Adams Peak and Little Adams Peak?

Adam’s Peak is a tall mountain close to Hatton. It is a much longer hike (4 to 6 hours). Whereas, Little Adam’s Peak hike is near Ella and is a much shorter hike of about 30 to 45 minutes. Both are in the Nuawar Eliya district of Sri Lanka’s Central Province.

Is Little Adam’s Peak hard?

Little Adam’s Peak hike is a well paved, well marked hike and is quite easy, making it very suitable for beginner hikers.

For more adventures from Sri Lanka and elsewhere, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram!