Knuckles Mountain Range, UNESCO World Heritage mountain range in Central Province, Sri Lanka
Knuckles Mountain Range is a mountain system in Central Sri Lanka with 34 peaks rising between 900 and 1,900 meters (3,000 to 6,200 feet) in elevation. The area covers 18,512 hectares with dense forests, waterfalls, and narrow valleys throughout.
British surveyors named this range after noticing how the peaks resemble knuckles of a clenched fist from certain viewpoints. The mountainous area later received World Heritage protection to safeguard its distinctive environment.
Local farming communities shape the landscape through cultivation practices that fit with the terrain and forest. Walking through, you notice agricultural plots woven into the hillsides where families have worked the land for generations.
The best months for hiking are December through February when rainfall decreases and conditions are more stable. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring rain protection and plenty of water, as paths can be steep and muddy.
Despite its small size relative to Sri Lanka, the range contains over one-third of the country's endemic plant species. This concentration of rare plants makes it a botanical hotspot found nowhere else in the world.
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