ROAD TO HEAVEN
Ohiya is a rural village located in Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka.
The Picturesque Colombo, Badulla Railway runs through Ohiya. Ohiya railway station is the 67th station on the mainline. It is the third-highest railway station in Sri Lanka situated 1774 m (5820 feet) above level and opened in 1893. The train runs through the colonial-era railway line built by the British to transport the tea harvest to Colombo Port.
Scenic Views
The railway line amidst misty tea estates with fascinating views of the valley below. The train runs across many tunnels providing excitement to the passengers.
Traveling to Ohiya is quite difficult due to its distance and limited ways of transportation. Hiring a private vehicle is make your journey quite comfortable. You may be able to relax and enjoy the views on the way stopping your vehicle whenever you need. Travel by train is another option. The Udarata Manike train (Colombo to Badulla) departs from Colombo Railway station by 5.55 am and another train around 8.15 am. it takes nearly 6 hours to reach Ohiya by train. The train ride is a quite nice experience as it's the most beautiful train ride. The bus route is from Colombo to Welimada to Ohiya (Via Boralanda)
Most difficult paths lead to beautiful destinations
It's worth the long travel since it is just one of the few places in Sri Lanka that offer 360-degree views of undisturbed natural landscapes dense forests and mountain ranges. With the lush green landscape along with its unique flora and fauna, Ohiya can consider a home for the nature lover looking for a unique nature trail, since it provides a great backdrop for trekking and hiking along with the great mountains range, vast rain forests and the Bambarakanda waterfall which tower at 863 feet the tallest waterfall in the country.
The Devil staircase is a challenging trek that starts from Ohiya, a rugged nature trail that would take 6 to 7 hours to complete depending on your spread and fitness. The sheer magnificence of the scenery it provides will make you forget your weariness. The staircase takes through the Uduweriya estate filled with lush green tea plantations. The end of the staircase will lead to the Bambarakanda falls which is 863 feet high and it is the perfect place to take that much-needed rest after hours of hike.
Another direction to the Bambarakanda fall is via Kalupahana Junction in Haldulmulla on Colombo, Badulla road. From Kalupahana junction 15 minutes drive and a 1-hour hike, you will reach the waterfall. The path is maintained for easy access with stairs and rails.
Ohiya island for trekkers and hikers. Many beautiful trails are running through a range of mountains, tea estates, and remote villages end up near Idalgashinna railway station. The trek is such a marvelous experience which proceeds towards a range of mountains to get the best views of the valley below and through the remote tea estates where you can meet villagers.
The best way to avoid getting lost while you trekking is to take help from a guide. Carrying a backpack with essentials such as water, snack, and medicine is vital as most part of the route is isolated from the human habitat. Pleasant freedom and calmness bring by the heavenly environment with blue mountains range, green trees, cool wind, and silence is such a reward from the nature of the mountain village can offer for its visitors.
The Villagers
The villagers living here were originally brought to Sri Lanka from India to work in the tea estates introduced by the British. Their way of life is still primitive. They are earning living from plucking tea leaves and working in factories. The tea plucking women with baskets on their back wearing colorful sarees working in the tea estates is a common view when you travel hill country of Sri Lanka. They contribute their hard work to the tea industry which is one of the major income of the country but still lead a hard life with poor wages.
Nature trail in Horton plain
Horton Plain National Park is one of the largest natural parks in Sri Lanka with the habitat of many types of flora and fauna. The natural trail takes to the sight such as the world's end a sheer cliff of about 4000 feet and Barker's falls through breathtaking natural landscapes in the world. The sight of Rain Deers coming to graze on the plain is a rare sight some travelers witness in the evening. the trek will take 3 to 4 hours up and down through the never-ending plain. Visitors to the park come early to see the best sight of the world ends as the mist will disturb the clear view.
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