With twists and turns, The Devil’s Staircase has a layout that befits its name. The trail runs through a lush tea estate from Horton Plains to Kalupahana. You can choose either the uphill hike or the downhill hike; both are equally difficult. While climbing up, you will have to make stops to catch your breath, and when climbing down, you will need to sit down from time to time to rest your legs. To see the sunrise, start the climb in the morning, although the trail is scenic and will afford you excellent views regardless of time. Along the way, you’ll come across a natural spring and a popular Hindu religious site; the trail passes through a tea estate, which means that you’ll be gifted with scenic views all throughout the hike. This is one of the most difficult hikes in Sri Lanka with a lot of tricky turns, so make you buy a sturdy pair of hiking shoes. Also, there can be unexpected rainfall, so don’t forget to bring a raincoat and some protective clothing.
