| Year and Month | 2019 Octomber 06th |
| Number of Days | One |
| Crew | 06-Shashi, Upul Nandana, Pasindu, Isuru, Kasun Lakmal and Myself |
| Accommodation | Previous day night at Nuwera Eliya |
| Transport | By foot |
| Activities | Hiking, sightseeing and Photography |
| Weather | Excellent but misty and rainy in later hours |
| Route | Nuwera Eliya->St. Andrew’s Drive->Leopard’s Rock->Back in same route->Colombo |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Related Resources | Lakdasun Trip report on Climbing the “Leopard’s Rock” for seeking Leopards |
| Author | Niroshan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread
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Leopard’s rock is another small view point towards Nuwera Eliya town, situated at Piduruthalagala range. People have seen a Leopard frequently visits the place to spend the time, naming the place as Leopard’s Rock.
I was planning to visit the place after reading Lakdasun trip report on Leopard’s Rock. Shashi who is my contactable person in Nuwera Eliya also not been there. Luckily Upul Nandana who was the writer of the report lives in Nuwera Eliya these days. He liked to accompany us to Leopard’s Rock.
This was a part of two days trip to Nuwera Eliya. We have spent a hard day at Chariot’s path and nearby mountain in previous day. Overnight spend at Nuwera Eliya was not bad as cold was not that much though we expected. Upul has joined with four of us in the morning and we had breakfast together. Then we walked from Nuwera Eliya town towards Jetwing Andrew Hotel. Pasindu has joined with us here and he had a sound knowledge about the area. We have followed the road closer to Andrew’s hotel (Andrew’s Drive) and entered the forest.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Leopard’s Rock in Google map |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Residents of Nuwera Eliya: Shashi, Upul and Pasindu |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Nuwera Eliya town was seen when we ascend. Hakgala pops up behind the town |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Wind castle hotel in white and Golden Ridge hotel is above it. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Familiar Hills: Hakgala, Hortain plains, Conical Hills and Single tree… |
There was a clear path inside the forest. But one can mislead the correct path as there are a lot in different directions. Under growth vegetation consists on Nelu and Bamboo bushes. It seems nearby people frequently visits this area to collect firewood. The foot path gradually ascend and we entered an area with ample of mosses on tree.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Get into the wild… Note the clear foot path |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Shashi and Upul…. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Foot path… |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Mushroom |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Mountainous forest |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Under tree canopy |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Dry Nelu….. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Fairly flat terrain… |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  A lot of curvatures |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Mosses |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Nelu…. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Busy with snaps… |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Close up…. |
The area with overgrown and hanging mosses-“Pasi” on trees had added some beauty to our pictures. We spent much time to get snaps here. There was a small cave but not spacious to spend the night. Humidity of the area is satisfactory for growth of mosses.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The area of mosses |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The area of mosses |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The area of mosses |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Group photo….. Pasindu (left), Isuru, Kasun, Shashi and Upul (right) |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  . |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Under mosses |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Overgrown mosses….. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Lost in beauty….. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Wow…. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Jurassic Park world…. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Macro…. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Decorated….. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Green background…. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Wow…. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The cave…but not enough to stay |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The path surrounded by Nelu…. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Last ascend…. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Here the foot path is closer to the rock and winds around it…. |
After the last ascend of the path we have come out of the forest. Nuwera Eliya town and surrounding were clearly visible above bushes. The foot path ends at nice flat rock where whole area is visible. This is so called rock where Leopard was used to come and sleep.
Let me list the mountains and places were visible to the Leopard’s rock: Hakgala with it’s dual peaks, Gregory Lake, Nuwera Eliya town, Hills at Hortain plains, Ambewela wind mills, Conical Hills, Single Tree Hills, Kikiliyamana with towers and Nuwera Eliya-Kandy road. Rest of Piduruthalagala forest reserve was appeared behind us.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Photographers in action on so called Leopard’s rock |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Towards Kikiliyamana and Shanti Pura |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The edge…. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  A5 road is entering to Nuwera Eliya town. Wind Castle hotel and Golden Ridge Hotel |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The classic picture seen to Leopard’s Rock |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Gregory Lake, Nuwera Eliya town and Race course |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Gregory Lake, Hakgala, Hortain plains (covered with clouds). Ambewela wind mills also seen |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Nuwera Eliya Town. Bus stand and post office are clearly seen |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Twin peaks of Hakgala |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Hortain Plains covered with clouds…. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Single tree hills with towers. Conical Hills is situated behind Single Tree Hill |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Single Tree Hill |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Nuwera Eliya town over Piduruthalagala forest reserve |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Kuda Oya area |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Rest of Piduruthalagala Forest Reserve |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Winding A5 road |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The area we passed… |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Forest top |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Bushes on top…. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The team on top of Leopard’s Rock |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  We were on top of Leopard’s Rock |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Bird’s Eye view…. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Mist is coming up….. |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Scenery is covering |
It was the time to move down as mist was covering the surround. We were rushed in return journey to find a shelter before rain. But rain clouds were faster than us to make rain before we reached the trail head. It ends the short hike to Leopard’s rock.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Leaves |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  . |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The path is covered with mist |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Good bye Leopard’s Rock. |
Thanks for reading