⛺️ Dreaming of a peaceful night under the stars, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views? Waliwanguwa is one of Sri Lanka’s best camping spots—perfect for adventurers looking to escape into nature.
🌄 Why Waliwanguwa is Worth the Trip
- ✅ Stunning mountain views
- ✅ Star-filled night skies
- ✅ Cool, misty climate
- ✅ Plenty of space for tents
- ✅ Easy access from Kalupahana
Located along the iconic Devil’s Staircase road between Ohiya and Kalupahana, Waliwanguwa offers a true off-the-grid experience. Whether you’re a solo backpacker or camping with friends, it’s the perfect place to reset and recharge.
Let me tell you how I found this amazing place—and share the story behind my experience.
I was coming from Horton Plains, looking for a good spot to camp. My original plan was to camp at the second stage of Bambarakanda Ella.
But unfortunately, all the campsites there were already taken—probably by a group of university students. So, I moved on to my second option: the Waliwanguwa campsite.
Now don’t get me wrong—Waliwanguwa is a beautiful place, and I’m sure many of you already know about that popular camping spot.
But here’s the exciting part…
I’m going to show you a hidden place that not everyone knows about—and how exactly you can find it too!
📍 How to Get to Waliwanguwa
There are two main routes to reach this place:
🚙 Route 1: From Ohiya via Devil’s Staircase
- Adventurous route with steep, bumpy roads
- Only accessible by 4×4, safari jeep, or motorbike
- Regular cars cannot handle this route
Note (Updated 2025.06.08): The road leading to this area is currently under construction. Before you travel, it’s a good idea to check for updates on its condition. You can contact the RDA (Road Development Authority) or check our community page—someone might have already shared the latest status there.
Once the construction is complete, all types of vehicles should be able to travel along this route without any issues.
🚗 Route 2: From Kalupahana (Recommended)
- Easier route—accessible by car or van
- At the end of the road, you’ll cross a small stream (vans can manage)
- Note (Updated 2025.06.08): The road leading to this area is currently under construction. Before you travel, it’s a good idea to check for updates on its condition. You can contact the RDA (Road Development Authority) or check our community page—someone might have already shared the latest status there.
- From there, continue until you reach the campsite
🔴 Pro Tip: There’s a lesser-known alternative road (not shown on Google Maps) we used during road maintenance. It’s in good shape but narrow, so drive carefully.
🏕️ Camping at Waliwanguwa
🏕 Main Campsite:
- Space for 3–4 tents
- Open views of the valley and hills
🏕 Additional Hidden Spots:
- 3 more secluded campsites nearby
- Slight uphill climb for more privacy and views
- Ideal for small groups or solo campers
🧊 Be prepared for chilly winds and misty mornings—bring warm clothes and sturdy tents.
At first, I was planning to camp at the popular Waliwanguwa campsite—mainly because I didn’t know of any other options in the area. This well-known spot is located right by the bend of the Waliwanguwa stream, offering a beautiful view with Lanka Ella in the background. It’s a lovely place, no doubt—but a bit too exposed and close to the road for my liking.
Luckily, I met a friendly local who offered to show me around. He pointed out the available toilet facilities, even explained how to get the key for the lock, and introduced me to three other nearby campsites I hadn’t known about. I followed him to check them out—and to my surprise, all four spots (including the popular one) were free for me to choose from!
After checking each one, I realised the roadside spot might feel a little too public—not just for me, but for others passing by too. One of the other options was up on a hill, but I figured strong winds might be an issue there.
Then came Campsite 3 (I’ve marked it for you below). It was tucked away in a super peaceful, isolated spot—perfect for a quiet and private camping experience. That’s the one I chose, and it turned out to be a fantastic decision.
To thank the kind man who helped me discover all this, I gave him a small tip—he truly deserved it.
After settling into Campsite 3
I took some time to explore the area, collect firewood, and just enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The evening brought a lovely, breezy atmosphere—but it got a bit too windy for my little “Dronie” to handle, so I had to bring it back early.
Just before sunset, a group of bikers arrived and set up camp at the main Waliwanguwa campsite. It was nice to see more campers around, even though our campsite was tucked away and felt more private.
One small thing to note—our campsite didn’t have a water source nearby, so we had to walk about 100 meters (to the marked water spot) to collect water. Not too far, but something to keep in mind.
That night was incredibly peaceful. The cool air, quiet surroundings, and the smell of BBQ made it a perfect camping evening. The sky was beautifully clear, and I spent some time just lying back and watching the stars—it was magical.
The next morning, I woke up to a breathtaking sight. The entire area was covered in mist—except for our campsite! It felt like we were floating above the clouds. Although we couldn’t see the sunrise directly from our spot, I sent my Dronie up to catch it from the sky—and wow, what a view!
✨ Check out the video above to see just how beautiful this place really is!
🚿 Facilities & Water Sources
- 🚻 Toilet: There is one near the road, but often locked
- Ask the guard or estate workers for the key (usually off duty after 5 PM)
- Avoid paying locals for extra “services” unless needed
- 💧 Water: Clean stream water available at the road crossing—perfect for drinking and refilling bottles
📸 What to Do at Waliwanguwa
- 🔥 Cook a BBQ dinner under the stars
- 🏞️ Wake up to mist-covered hills
- 📷 Capture drone shots of the Devil’s Staircase
- 🥾 Explore nearby paths and natural lookout points
- 🌄 Watch the sunrise from your tent
🌿 Important Things to Know
🧹 Respect Nature – Please don’t litter. Sadly, some campers have left broken glass bottles, harming wildlife and future visitors.
🔥 No Fires Near Trees – Avoid building BBQs or fires under low-hanging branches or during dry seasons.
🐾 Leave No Trace – Take all your trash with you. Let’s keep Waliwanguwa clean and wild.
While I was gathering firewood after arriving at the campsite, I noticed something upsetting—some people had cut down trees and left broken glass scattered around. The worst part is, these shards were hidden under dry leaves, making them almost impossible to see… until you accidentally sit or step on one.
Just imagine how dangerous that is—not only for us, but also for wildlife in the area. It’s heartbreaking to see how careless some visitors can be.
I managed to collect and remove some of the broken glass, but I couldn’t find them all. So please, be extra careful when moving around or sitting on the ground.
As for me, I made sure to leave the campsite just as I found it—or even better. I cleaned up all traces of my bonfire and left the place looking like no one had camped there at all. That’s the least we can do to protect these beautiful natural spots for others to enjoy.
About Local Scammers
In Waliwanguwa, a few locals may ask for money or offer unwanted “guidance.” If it feels fake, politely say no.
If you decide to camp in this area, just be aware that there might be a few people trying to take advantage of visitors. During my trip, I had an unusual experience—two different people approached me, each with their own “offers.”
The first guy came and tried to convince me to follow him to a “more beautiful” camping spot near his house. He said everything was free and that I should just come and enjoy. It felt suspicious, so I politely refused and stayed where I was.
Not long after, another person showed up, saying the first guy was a scammer. He offered me breakfast for the next morning and kept asking where I planned to camp. He was clearly drunk, and it became really difficult to avoid him. Thankfully, I already had plenty of food with me and didn’t need any help.
Even the next morning, he managed to find my campsite and brought me some roti—but again, I refused, and he eventually left.
📢 A Message to Fellow Campers
Waliwanguwa is more than a camping spot—it’s a rare escape into almost unspoiled nature. If we want places like this to survive, we must treat them with respect.
✨ Enjoy the adventure, but leave only footprints.
🏕️ Final Thoughts
Whether you’re chasing sunsets, stargazing, or simply soaking up silence, Waliwanguwa is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with the outdoors all over again. 🌙✨
🗺️ Plan Your Journey
To make planning easier, check out our interactive map. We’ve marked:
- Best routes
- Campsite locations
- Water source points
📌 Also, visit Sri Lanka Railways to check train schedules if you’re planning to use public transport.
Waliwanguwa live weather update 🛰️
18°C
- Temperature
- Precipitation
- Rain Chance
- Wind
- Humidity
- Pressure
