Hike to Lunumadulla / Lunumudagala (ලුණුමඩුල්ල / ලුණුමුඩාගල (1020m)

Lunumadulla (ලුණුමඩුල්ල) is a small peak (actually it is a Pathana / පතන) situated at Knuckles forest reserve closer to Ranamure-Duwili Falls trail. This is not a popular mountain but marked at metric map as Lunumadulla. Villagers in Ranamure used this Pathana to roam their cattle and they call it as Lunumudagala (ලුණුමුඩාගල). When we were getting down along Ranamure trail from KMP in 2016, I can remember Eshan mentioned about this peak. Eshan and I have marked this as a “to do peak” but he couldn’t make it on this trip.

Click image to enlarge. Lunumadulla peak is marked by a star.

Approach to Lunumadulla is through Ranamure village. Actually we planned to do Ranamure waterfall trail in this visit and Lunumadulla was our plan B. We four came by the car and Isuru Lasan joined with us from Pallegama. Isuru was attached to Kalu Ganga reservior project at this time.
All five have arrived to Ranamure village and parked the car at a particular house (They were friendly and we were used to park the car there in our back to back visit to Ranamure). This was my visit to Ranamure village after four years. We have followed Duwili Eli trail in view of watching Ranamuru Oya cascades but our hopes were broken due to low water level of the stream. Further continuing at Duwili Eli trail we have reached a slab rock / “Gal Poththa” (ගල් පොත්ත).
As weather was so warm we all were exhaust and had a break there.

Heading to Pallegama. A break at Bakamuna.

At Bakamuna Road.

Ranamure village.

Leaving Ranamure Village

Following Ranamure-Duwili Falls path

Following Ranamure-Duwili Falls path

කඩුල්ල

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Extremely dry Ranamure Oya

Extremely dry Ranamure Oya

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Posing….

Particular junction at Ranamure-Duwili Falls trail. Kasun is at Duwili Falls trail. Isuru (blue) is at Angunukole Falls path.

Checking the map.

Reached a “Galpoththa”

Particular “Gal Poththa”

Following this “Gal Poththa” / slab rock we followed our way to Lunumadulla with assistance of Google map. At one point we were on wrong track but later followed the correct path (there was no foot path). After deviation of Duwili falls trail it was a mixture of forest cover and open areas. As I mentioned earlier this mountain is called as a Pathana by villagers. So called Pathana can be seen even from lower part of the mountain. Eventually we have reached this lower part of Lunumudagala Pathana. Here onwards it was gradual ascend through this shrub areas. But we didn’t come across cattle at these open areas.

Look what he found.

Reaching lower part of Lunumudagala Pathana.

Continuing the journey through Pathana.

Surrounding view.

Selfie during ascend….

Lower part of Lunumudagala

A break while on our way to top

Lower part of Lunumudagala

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While on our way to top of Lunumadulla we have noted different nearby peaks of Knuckles massif. One side we have noted Sudu Gala, Lahumanagala, Riversotone peak, Yakunge Hela and Gombaniya (actually Yakunge Hela and Gombaniya were covering with mist). Majestic Lakegala and Wamarapugala appeared in other side. In addition to above peaks we were able to view Riverstone, Pitawala Pathana, Manikdena, Lenadora, Gedaragala Pathana and Moragahakanda Reservior. Here our target was the edge of Lunumadulla peak with the drop.

This is Sudugala side.

This is Sudugala side. Gombaniya and Yakunge Hela are covered with mist.

Further ascend along Pathana.

Sudugala and Lahumanagala

Clear view

Gombaniya and Yakunge Hela are covered with mist

Riverstone and Pitawala Pathana side

Riverstone peak

At drop of Yakunge Hela

Lakegala and Wamarapugala side.

Meeriyagolla and Narangamuwa Lakegala

Zoomed view

+ Meemure Lakegala

Wamarapugala

Manikdena and Lenadora

Gedaragala Pathana and Moragahakanda Reservior

Construction site at Kalu Ganga Reservior

Thorny bushes with berries.

The highest point / edge of Lunumadulla peak was ultimately a view point of Kalu Ganga Reservior. Kalu Ganga Reservior was the last step of Mahaweli Development Project. This view point was important to Isuru as he is working at this project. Beyond this, we could see Rathkinda Ulhitiya reservior, Unukirigala, Kokagala and even mighty Walimbe Hela. As this edge was our ultimate goal we spent much time in getting photos here.

Newly opened Kalu Ganga Reservior

Kalu Ganga Reservior (right) and Moragahakanda Reservior (left)

Kalu Ganga Reservior and new road at it’s bank

Towards Kalu Ganga reservior side

Rathkinda Ulhitiya reservior and Unukirigala. Fainted view of Walimbe Hela is there.

View of Kokagala.

Busy with snaps

Posed at Lunumadulla peak

Unique picture at Lunumadulla

Other side

This rocky mountain might be Ranamure Kanda according to Metric map.

The team on top of Lunumadulla

On top of Lunumadulla

It would be easy to understand the shape of Lunumadulla peak when you looked at drone pictures.

This is the drop of Lunumadulla. This was our ultimate target. The background is filled with mountains at Sudugala side.

Lunumadulla Mountain.

Lower part of the mountain. We have passed this area to reach top of Lunumadulla.

When drone comes up Thunhisgala was visible

Lakegala and Kehelpothdoruwegala is behind. The valley is formed by Ranamure Oya. Alakola Falls upper part is situated here.

Kalu Ganga Reservior

Five men team….

Flying the drone on top of Lunumadulla was bit challenge due to wind. We were able to return to Ranamure in 2 hours’ time. It ends another one day hike at Knuckles Forest reserve.

Coming back.

The villager lives at last house of Ranamure mentioned it as Lunumudagala.

Click image to enlarge. This is our approach to Lunumadulla.

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