The Pekoe Trail is an ambitious trekking route in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, spanning over 300 kilometers and divided into 22 stages. This network connects former colonial-era tea trails, taking trekkers through the iconic tea country from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and extending into other scenic areas. Each of the 22 stages offers a unique experience, from gentle paths through lush tea plantations to more challenging trails over misty hills and forested ridges.
The stages are designed to cater to all levels, with options for day hikes or multi-day treks, allowing trekkers to tailor their experience based on time and preference. Along the way, travelers encounter charming villages, working tea estates, and viewpoints overlooking breathtaking landscapes filled with terraced fields, rivers, and waterfalls. Hikers can also witness local tea-picking and processing, making the journey not only a physical trek but an exploration of Sri Lanka’s rich tea heritage.
The trail incorporates colonial-era railway stations, cultural sites, and chances to interact with local communities, enhancing the cultural depth of the journey. With dedicated signage, accommodations, and support services developing along the way, the Pekoe Trail is quickly becoming one of Asia’s most immersive and scenic long-distance trekking routes.
The 22 stages of The Pekoe Trail
Stage 01 - Hanthana to Galaha - 12.8km
Stage 02 - Galaha to Loolkandura - 14.7km
Stage 03 - Loolkandura to Tawalantenne - 18.11km
Stage 04 - Tawalantenne to Pundaluoya - 14.04km
Stage 05 - Pundaluoya to Watagoda - 14.09km
Stage 06 - Watagoda to Kotagala - 15.33km
Stage 07 - Kotagala to Norwood - 16.28km
Stage 08 - Norwood to Bogawantalawa - 15.8km
Stage 09 - Bogawantalawa to Dayagama - 16.5km
Stage 10 - Dayagama to Horton Plains - 14.9km
Stage 11 - Horton Plains to Udaweriya - 13.1km
Stage 12 - Udaweriya to Haputale - 14.8km
Stage 13 - Haputale to St. Catherine - 13.5km
Stage 14 - St. Catherine to Makulella - 9.4km
Stage 15 - Makulella to Ella - 9.5km
Stage 16 - Ella to Demodara - 8.8km
Stage 17 - Demodara to Hali Ela - 12.9km
Stage 18 - Hali Ela to Ettampitiya - 13.9km
Stage 19 - Ettampitiya to Lunuwatte - 18.8km
Stage 20 - Lunuwatte to Uda Pussellawa - 12.5km
Stage 21 - Uda Pussellawa to Kandapola - 16.7km
Stage 22 - Kandapola to Pedro Estate - 10.8km
