It’s 4 am when my alarm goes off in the pitch black. As I groggily rise, I think to myself “I hope this is worth it”. There is only one good reason for getting up this early when on holiday… and that is to chase a sunrise that (hopefully!) makes it worth the early start.
The reason for this abrupt wake-up call? We’re attempting to hike Pidurangala Rock in Sigiriya, an iconic landmark in central Sri Lanka with an even more iconic view of the famed Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
In this guide, I’ll take you through all you need to know about hiking this 200-metre-high rock and tips to make the most of your visit at sunrise.
Quick Summary: Pidurangala Hike
- Entrance Fee: 1000 LKR (about $3 USD)
- Time Required: 30 – 45 minutes (ascent), 20 – 30 minutes (descent)
- Difficulty: Moderate, short but steep hike. A high level of mobility is required due to sections of rock climbing
- Guide: Not required
- Facilities: None
About Pidurangala Rock
Pidurangala Rock is located a couple of kilometres from the famous ancient rock fortress, Sigiriya Lion’s Rock.
Hiking Pidurangala Rock over Sigiriya Rock has become more popular in recent years, largely in part due to the significantly cheaper entrance fee ($3 vs $36 USD) but also since arguably, Pidurangala offers “better” views as you get unobstructed views of Sigiriya Rock in all its glory. As a photographer, I know the latter excites me more.
There are two important reasons to consider hiking Pidurangala at sunrise.
Firstly, the heat. Visiting in April 2024, the heat was unbearable even by mid-morning. Beginning the steep uphill hike when it’s still dark and relatively “cool” (by Sri Lankan standards) goes a long way.
Secondly, it’s pretty damn spectacular to see the sunrise over the mountains from the top of a 200-metre-high rock. It’s definitely a bucket list-worthy activity that you’ll tell your children about!
Entrance Fee
The current entrance fee for Pidurangala Rock is 1000 LKR per adult (about US$3).
Pay for the ticket in cash at the office near the entrance before beginning the hike. The ticket office hours are from 5 am – 6 pm.
Getting to Pidurangala Rock
Most travellers will stay in the small town of Sigiriya which has built up at the base of these two famous rocks. You can then get a short tuk-tuk ride to the vehicle parking area at the base of Pidurangala which will cost a few hundred rupees.
If you’re following my 10 Day Sri Lanka itinerary, I’ve suggested staying in Habarana or Sigiriya.
We stayed at the beautiful and relaxing Aliya Resort, a 25-minute drive away after doing an elephant safari at the Eco Park the day before.
But if you value that extra 15 – 20 minutes of sleep-in or are looking for budget accommodation, it’s probably better to stay in Sigiriya town.
Where to Stay near Sigiriya
- Budget: – Pidurangala View Home Stay: This air-conditioned homestay is within walking distance to Pidurangala, making it ideal for the sunrise hike.
- Mid-Range – The Nature Park Villa: Spacious rooms and a palm tree-lined pool in a quiet area of Sigiriya, surrounded by nature
- Luxury – Roo Mansala Boutique Villas: This highly-rated boutique accommodation offers luxury modern villas with a large pool and views of Sigiriya Rock. The perfect place to cool off and relax after an early morning hike.
What to Expect on the Hike
Reaching the peak of Pidurangala Rock and its 360 panoramic views requires a fairly steep and rocky uphill climb.
From the car park, head towards the first of many stairs to come. You’ll shortly come across the small ticket office. After another short but steep section of stairs, you’ll pass the Buddhist temple, Pidurangala Rock Temple.
At this point I had expected to be told to cover up my shoulders and legs for the short 100-metre section where you pass the outside of the temple, however during my visit, this was not required on the way up or our trip down an hour later post-sunrise.
At this point, the hike becomes a lot more jungle-y. One thing is constant, and that is the uphill ascent. You aren’t as much “hiking” as you are “stepping” constantly – it reminded me of hiking Bluff Knoll in Western Australia in this regard!
Be prepared to get the heart pumping – take short breaks and make sure to hydrate as you climb. There are a few lights on the trail along the way, but it is quite dark and I used my phone light as a torch for most of the hike.
While it is steep, the terrain isn’t too challenging until the last 5 minutes of the hike. After you pass the remains of the 12-metre reclining Buddha under the rock face, you’re on the final but most challenging stretch of the hike.
At this point, we could see a LINE of people ahead even though it was still 5.30 am. This last section of the hike requires some rock climbing, which creates a backlog of people.
This is the hardest point of the trail, and you need a high level of mobility to make it to the summit.
Once you scramble through the small gap in the rocks, you’ve (almost) made it to the peak! There’s one last section of rock you need to walk up.
When you make it to the peak, don’t expect to have it to yourself even at 5.30 am.
There were at least 30 – 40 people there, with more coming as it got closer to sunrise (and even a few dogs!). But don’t worry, there’s lots of room for everyone to spread out at the top of the rock.
Everyone found a space to sit, facing towards the east, as we waited for the sun to rise above the distant mountain range. It was one of those surreal moments, where you realise you are in the middle of the jungle in Sri Lanka, sitting in the pre-dawn light with 50 other strangers on a rock. Kinda special, in my opinion.
After sunrise, we took some photos of Sigiriya. One of the best spots for unobstructed views of Sirigiya is near the section where you first scrambled up onto the rock – it gets popular as everyone heads back here to head down after sunrise, so you might need to wait to take photos.
How Long Does It Take to Climb Pidurangala?
It took us 30 minutes to hike up Pidurangala Rock. We purchased tickets at 5.10 am and reached the peak by 5.40 am.
Allow up to 45 minutes if you require rest stops along the way.
Best Time to Hike
The best time to hike Pidurangala is during the tourist high season of December – March as this is when there is the least chance of rain.
Doing this hike in the rain would be quite challenging, as the rock face would be slippery, so I’d avoid hiking in the rain.
If you can’t stomach the early start, the next best time to hike Pidurangala is just before sunset. Just note you’ll be doing the uphill climb during the late afternoon, which will be more challenging in the heat.
Do You Need a Guide?
A guide is not required on this hike, you can definitely hike Pidurangala unguided. However if you want to organise a driver who will pick you up from your hotel and take photos for you on the rock, you can pre-book a guide here.
Check out this guide for 6 more things to do in Sigiriya involving the great outdoors.
What to Wear
- Footwear: You don’t need proper hiking shoes for this hike, but please do make sure to wear proper sneakers. This hike is not safe to do in flip-flops or sandals!
- Clothing: Make sure to wear comfortable clothing, as you will work up a sweat.
- Hydration: Make sure to bring sufficient water with you, as there is nowhere to get water or fill up bottles.
- Mosquito Spray: I’m usually quite sensitive to mosquitoes, but I was fine until sunrise. I recommend putting bug spray on regardless, due to the elevated risk of dengue fever in Sri Lanka.
Facilities
Plan ahead – there are no facilities during this hike. No bathrooms, no water, no food stands. There are no rubbish bins – please take your rubbish down off the rock with you.
It was heart-breaking to see the discarded piles of plastic bottles at the peak – we need to do better than this. Follow leave no trace principles and respect the places that we have the privilege of travelling to.
Final Thoughts – Pidurangala Rock Hike
Climbing Pidurangala Rock in the pitch black to then watching the mist swirl across the jungle below as the sun rose over the mountains was a highlight of my time in Sri Lanka.
This hike isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it is a memorable one that leaves you with a sense of achievement for having conquered the many steps and sketchy sections where rock clambering is required. Plus, the panoramic views across the countryside and of Sigiriya Rock are some of the most jaw-dropping you’ll see in Sri Lanka!
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