How to Hike Pidurangala Rock

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If you are visiting Sigiriya or Lion Rock in Sri Lanka, then don’t miss out hiking the nearby Pidurangala Rock. Just 2 kilometers north of Sigiriya, a hike up this rock offers panoramic views of Sigiriya and the surrounding area. This post covers everything you need to know about how to hike Pidurangala Rock.

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A Brief History of Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala means “offered piles of gold” in Sinhala. The history of Pidurangala goes back to the 1st and 2nd century BC where it was used as a Buddhist monastery. Another story claims that King Kashyapa (the prince who killed his father to become the king), moved the Buddhist monks in Sigiriya to Pidurangala when he decided to make Sigiriya his capital after the regicide. Regardless f the story, Pidurangala has been home to Buddhist monks for centuries. You can see a reclining Buddha statue and also remnants of the monks’ dwellings at around the half way point of the hike.

Today, there is a much newer temple, built about 100 years ago at the start of the hike. You can pop your head in for a bit if you like.

Where is Pidurangala Rock?

Pidurangala Rock is located about 2 KM north of Sigiriya. You must go through the Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya temple to access Pidurangala.

What is Special About Pidurangala Rock?

As you read above, Pidurangala has a long history. However, it’s popularity has grown in recent years for three reasons. 1. because it’s a somewhat challenging but enjoyable hike and 2. because you can see the famous Sigiriya Rock fortress from Pidurangala. 3. the views from the rock are spectacular!

Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a contender for the 8th World Wonder. It goes back to ancient Sri Lanka although its claim to fame really starts in the 5th century AD. As a travel blogger and a Sri Lankan, I really think Sigiriya is one of the must visit places in Sri Lanka.

See HERE for my complete guide to Sigiriya!

Opening Times and Cost?

Pidurangala Rock is open from 5 AM to 6 PM, but you can stay up for as long as you like (although I don’t advise climbing down in the pitch darkness for safety reasons).

The entrance fee for Pidurangala Rock LKR 500 (USD $3) for foreign visitors. The fee is actually a donation to the Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya temple that you will pass at the beginning of the hike.

When to Visit Pidurangala Rock?

The best time to visit and hike Pidurangala Rock is during the dry season which runs from the months of December to early April. This being said, you can definitely hike during the other months too. If you do hike during these other months, you may want to look at the weather app and avoid rainy days or hours.

If it does rain, please take caution on the way down!

From a what time of day is best to hike Pidurangala Rock standpoint, I would recommend either sunset or sunrise. During this time, the sun lights up the enter area in soft golden and pink hues and is truly a beautiful sight!

Climb Pidurangala Rock at Sunset or Sunrise?

I think either is fine. The way Pidurangala and Sigiriya are positioned, the lighting works for either a sunrise or sunset hike. One thing to note is that you will be hiking up or down in the dark with either option. A good pair of sneakers with traction and a headlamp or torchlight is a must if you are hiking at either of these times.

How to Get to Pidurangala Rock?

To get to Pidurangala, you need to get to the general Sigiriya area first.

If you are aiming to hike Pidurangala early morning, I recommend staying in and around the area. In my most recent trip, we stayed in Habarana and it was about a 30 minute drive from our hotel to Pidurangala.

If you are coming from Colombo, it may take you 3-4 hours to get to Pidurangala depending on the traffic.

If you are already in the Sigiriya area, then you can hail a tuk-tuk to bring you to Pidurangala.

By Car

Regardless from where in the country you are coming from, traveling by car is the most convenient and fastest way to get to Pidurangala. You can either hire a taxi for the day or book a private transfer.

We used Prime Taxi and had a good experience overall.

By Tuk-Tuk

You could potentially hire a tuk-tuk to bring you to Pidurangala as well. If you are doing this, you may have to arrange for it the day prior with a tuk-tuk driver. Don’t depend on finding a tuk-tuk via an app or from the street the day of. If you are coming from Colombo, the journey may take 4-5 hours (tuks can’t go as fast as cars). Alternatively, you can also hire a tuk-tuk and drive it yourself. This mode is fast becoming popular with tourists, however, unless you are used to driving in chaos, I personally would not do it.

By Bus

There is no direct bus to Pidurangala. If you are coming from Colombo, you will have to take a bus going to either Anuradhapura (bus 15), Polonnaruwa (bus 48) or Trincomalee (bus 49) and get off at Dambulla. From Dambulla you will have to catch a bus to Sigiriya. It will be the same if you are coming from Kandy as well. From the Sigiriya bus stop, you will have to hail a tuk-tuk to bring you to Pidurangala.

You can also find air conditioned buses that go from Colombo to Dambulla. Check them out HERE. They are more expensive but maybe worth it given the heat in Sri Lanka. This bus is a little faster (around 3-4 hours) than the regular bus which can take 4-5 hours (with all the stops).

By Train

Coming by train is the slowest option. It will take around 5-6 hours and there is only 1 train that runs daily from Colombo to Habarana which is located 17 KM away. You will still have to find your way to Pidurangala from Habarana. I don’t recommend this option.

By Air

If you want to splurge, there is also an option to take a domestic flight from Colombo to Sigiriya. This private flight is offered by Cinnamon Air. You can check out more HERE.

From Sigiriya airport, you will have to find a way to get to Pidurangala. I recommend arranging a taxi.

How Long is the Pidurangala Rock Hike?

The hike may take someone anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on your level of fitness. There is always a line at the last bit of the hike as you have to scramble up some big boulders and also give way to people coming down as well.

What is the Pidurangala Rock Climb Like?

To hike Pidurangala Rock, you first need to get to Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya temple. From the entrance you will have to pay the fee and cover up if your knees and shoulders are open. The temple does have some shawls for this purpose but I highly recommend that you bring your own. You will also have to remove your shoes as you walk through the temple. The temple area is a very short walk. Once you pass the temple and the garden, then you start climbing steps.

There are lots of stone steps in the first half of the hike and you will be hiking through a canopy of trees. Once you get to mid-point, you will see a reclining Buddha and some small ruins of where the monks used to live in ancient times. This area is clear and you can see the view of the surrounding plains from here. Once you pass mid-point, the terrain is rockier and you will have to hike up rocks and boulders.

The last bit is where you will find the biggest boulders. The entrance to the summit is via a small opening and you will have to prop your self up side ways to get to the top (see the pictures of my friend Dhana, below).

Once on top, you will see Sigiriya in front of you. But don’t stop there! You can actually climb a little bit more to your right for even more views of the surrounding area.

You descent the exact same way that you came up.

Is the Hike Up Pidurangala Rock Difficult?

This is relative at it would depend on your fitness level. Pidurangala is classified as a medium difficulty hike. The good news is that it’s relatively short! What makes the hike hard in my opinion is the heat more than the stairs or the big rocks that you have to scramble. I honestly found it challenging in a fun way! I would definitely do it again!

What to Bring for the Pidurangala Rock Hike?

• Sneakers – you don’t want to miss your footing on a rock in slippers or flip-flops
• Comfortable clothing but be prepared to cover your arms and knees for a bit
• A a shawl and wrap if your arms and knees are exposed
• Sun protection like a cap/hat and sunscreen
• Cash to pay the entry fee
• A torchlight or headlamp if you are hiking at sunrise or sunset
• A lot of water

Tips for the Pidurangala Rock Hike

• Avoid hiking mid-day if possible – the heat and humidity will be unbearable
• Don’t feed or interact with the monkeys
• Beware of snakes (especially if you are climbing or coming down in the dark)
• Prepare to sweat!

Can Children Do the Hike?

I think grown children should be able to do the hike with no issues however, I would not bring any babies or toddlers.

Pidurangala or Sigiriya?

This depends on your interests. Like I mentioned Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has significant historic value. Pidurangala in my opinion is nice for the hike itself and the views. You do get really great views from Sigiriya as well, but if you want to see the Sigiriya from a different angle and perspective, then Pidurangala is the place for that. Sigiriya is also significantly more expensive than Pidurangala.

Do both if you have the means and the time. As I said above, as a Sri Lanka it would be remiss of me to not suggest a visit to Sigiriya. Even before Sri Lanka became famous for tourists, Sigiriya was the one place that we took any and all visitors to the country to!

Can You Climb Both Pidurangala and Sigiriya on the Same Day?

Yes! I don’t see why not. My fried did this recently. You may need to take a break between the two. My recommendation would be to go to Sigiriya in the morning and then hike Pidurangala Rock for sunset.

Guided Hike to Pidurangala Rock

If you don’t want to figure any of this out on your own, or would rather go on a guided hike, then check out the tours below!

Where to Stay?

There are lots of great options in the Sigiriya, Dambulla (30 minutes out), Habarana (also 30 minutes out) areas for accommodation. These options range from simple homestays to luxury hotels. I always book accommodation via booking.com. They have so many options and the ability to use filters to find accommodation to suit your needs.

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