e2e.bike

Cycling adventures across Yorkshire, Britain and beyond

Menu
  • End to Ends
    • Britain
    • Ireland
    • France
    • Spain
    • Portugal
    • Belgium
    • Netherlands
    • Luxembourg
    • Denmark
    • Austria
    • Switzerland
    • Czechia
    • Slovakia
    • Poland
    • Latvia
    • Cuba
    • Sri Lanka
    • Taiwan
    • Isle of Man
    • Faroes
    • Liechtenstein
  • Coast to Coasts
  • Yorkshire Ridings
  • Others
  • Writings
Menu
← PreviousNext →

Sri Lanka 9: Haputale to Nuwara Eliya

Posted on 22 January 20152 April 2021 by Rob Ainsley


A beautiful, tranquil dawn start, with awesome views of Hill Country peaks sticking up like islands above the layer of cloud a thousand feet below (pic). Down there in the clouds, at Bandarawela, it was cool and damp and felt more like England, except my breakfast muffin from a bakery only cost 25p.


It was downhill most of the way to Ella, a touristy hill village. I was here to take the train (pic) to Nanu Oya, a famously scenic route through the mountains. It was half an hour late and took three hours to do forty miles. Sri Lankans are not impressed by Superman being able to run faster than a speeding train: most people can.


The views from the train were indeed grand, as it ambled its way round Hill Country mountainsides (pic). Though, actually, the views I’ve had from my bike have been better, if anything. Still, there was little excuse for all those backpackers sharing my carriage who spent the entire journey ignoring the scenery and Facebooking on their smartphones.


I left the train at Nanu Oya, and cycled up the long steep road to Nuwara Eliya, 1900m up. En route I saw this rather hopeful sale (pic). It’s not the only old-fashioned British thing here: Nuwara Eliya is called ‘Little England’ by Sri Lanka’s tourist department. I’ll be here two nights, with another day out of the saddle tomorrow. As you can see, my speed is hardly breakneck. Maybe that train wasn’t so slow after all.

Miles today: 21
Total miles: 185
Miles since Dondra Head: 147

Previous
←   Sri Lanka 8: Haputale
Next
Sri Lanka 10: Nuwara Eliya →

You are here

e2e.bike > End to Ends > Sri Lanka > Sri Lanka 9: Haputale to Nuwara Eliya

Recent Posts

  • Germany 9: Kassel to Beverungen 14 September 2025
  • Germany 8: Bad Hersfeld to Kassel 13 September 2025
  • Germany 7: Kothen to Bad Hersfeld 12 September 2025

Random Posts

  • Nun Monkton: Lighter moments21 September 2019
    I’d wanted to ride the new Nun Monkton Ferry, over the Ouse …
  • Nottingham: Tunnels and tramlines12 October 2015
    Very enjoyable day of route research in Nottingham. The quirky Park Tunnel, …
  • Spain 6: Cáceres to Plasencia13 April 2019
    Another fabulous day of road cycling: sunny, virtually no wind, roads almost …

Search e2e.bike

Find me

        
Facebook • Bluesky • Linked In • Email
© 2025 e2e.bike | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme