Walking the Pekoe Trail: Sri Lanka's 300km tea-country path
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Walking the Pekoe Trail: Sri Lanka's 300km tea-country path

Twenty-two stages through estates, villages and cloud forest between Kandy and the highlands. How to day-hike the island's newest long trail. The Pekoe Trail threads roughly 300 kilometres of old plantation paths into a single waymarked route across the hill country, 22 stages linking Kandy, Hatton, Haputale and Ella through working tea estates, Tamil plantation villages and pockets.

travelguides.lk · updated 5 Mar 2026 Sourced editorial

The journey

The Pekoe Trail threads roughly 300 kilometres of old plantation paths into a single waymarked route across the hill country, 22 stages linking Kandy, Hatton, Haputale and Ella through working tea estates, Tamil plantation villages and pockets of cloud forest.

You do not need three weeks: most visitors day-hike a stage or two, Stage 12 around Haputale and the Lipton's Seat country is a favourite, using trains and tuk-tuks to reach trailheads. Mornings are clearest; mist rolls in by afternoon.

Frequently asked

What is the Pekoe Trail?

A 300km, 22-stage walking route through Sri Lanka's tea country between Kandy and the highlands, opened as the island's first long-distance trail.

Do I have to walk all of it?

No, stages are designed as standalone day hikes with town or estate access at both ends.

When is the best time to hike?

Dry hill-country months (roughly January to April) and always mornings, before the afternoon mist and showers.

Places in this guide

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Nine Arch Bridge Nine Arch Bridge Ella Rock Ella Rock Kandy 0.9 km Kandy Ravana Falls 1.5 km Ravana Falls Café Chill 1.5 km Café Chill Pekoe Trail, Stage 1 (Hanthana) 5.9 km Pekoe Trail, Stage 1 (Hanthana) Lipton’s Seat 10.4 km Lipton’s Seat

Sources

  1. Sri Lanka Railways ↗

We compile and link to public sources; details change, so verify time-sensitive specifics before you travel.