Knuckles Mountain Range

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Geographical location

The Knuckles is situated in the Districts of Kandy and Matale extends from Laggala to Urugala a distance about 19 Km, covers an area of 160 Km2 . The term Knuckles is used in three senses, namely, as the Knuckles massif, the Knuckles Range, and the Knuckles Peaks. The Knuckles massif about 90 square miles in extent, is a detached block of the Central Highlands, separated from the main highlands by the Dumbara Valley. A group of five peaks that took like the Knuckles of a clenched fist. The highest point on the range is Gombaniya (1906m). The next highest point in the Knuckles range is the Knuckles (1864m). There are several other peaks in the range that rise over 5000 ft. including Kirigalpotta (1648m), Dotugala (1575m) and Kobonilgala (1555m)

View points

Inner part of the massif you can see two view points;
1. Laggala pathana (northern flank) – Rattota via Matale
2. Corbert’s Gap along Hunasgiriya – Loolwatte road

Importance of the Knuckles

The Knuckles is the source of several rivers, including the Heen Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Hulu Ganga. The western and southern slopes and eastern and central slopes of this range are catchments for the Mahaweli river.

Vegetation

The 1829 Km2 of forest lying above 970m (3500ft) in the Knuckles massif are considered to be a unique ecosystem not found anywhere else in the world. The main vegetation types are;
1. Tropical semi - evergreen forest
2. Sub montane evergreen forest
3. Mid elevation evergreen montane forest
4. Montane evergreen forest (cloud forest)
5. Montane grasslands (pathana)

Flora and Fauna

The Knuckles massif abounds in a rich variety of plant and animal life. The mountain and their environs are the natural habitat of many species of mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and winged insects. Several of these are endemic to Sri Lanka and some are confined to this region.

Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage

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The government run Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage near Rambukkana, set up to save abandoned or orphaned wild elephants, is about the most popular "elephant attraction" in Sri Lanka. You can see many elephants at close quarters except at peraheras. They are controlled by their keepers to make sure they feed at the right times and don't endanger anyone, but otherwise roam freely around the sanctuary area.

Places to visit in SRI LANKA

Knuckles Mountain Range

Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage