Wildlife & Nature
Horton Plains
High-altitude grassland that ends in a cliff.
Why Visit
A cool-climate landscape unlike anywhere else on the island, best experienced on the walk to World's End before the clouds roll in.
A high-altitude plateau of grassland and cloud forest, walked mostly for World's End, a sheer escarpment that drops nearly a kilometre.
History
The plateau takes its English name from Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, a British colonial governor of Ceylon in the 1830s, during whose administration the area was first surveyed by Europeans. Long before that, the highland plains had been used by local communities for grazing, and colonial-era planters later grazed cattle and grew crops, including potatoes, on parts of the plateau — traces of which can still be seen in some of its cleared grassland areas. Baker's Falls, along the main walking loop, is named for Sir Samuel Baker, a British explorer and big-game hunter who attempted (largely unsuccessfully) to establish an English-style farming settlement in the area in the 1840s. Growing recognition of the plateau's unique cloud-forest ecosystem and endemic wildlife led to its protection, and Horton Plains was declared a national park in 1988.
Things to Do
- Walk to World's End before mid-morning cloud cover
- Visit Baker's Falls along the same trail
- Spot sambar deer on the open plains
- See Mini World's End on the same circular trail
- Start at first light to beat the cloud cover
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Horton Plains known for?
A cool-climate landscape unlike anywhere else on the island, best experienced on the walk to World's End before the clouds roll in.
When is the best time to visit Horton Plains?
The best time to visit Horton Plains is January to March, and best started at first light.
What can you do in Horton Plains?
Popular things to do in Horton Plains include walk to World's End before mid-morning cloud cover, visit Baker's Falls along the same trail and spot sambar deer on the open plains.
Where is Horton Plains located in Sri Lanka?
Horton Plains is located in Wildlife & Nature, Sri Lanka.
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