In Sri Lanka, there is a highly popular tourist destination known as the “World’s End”—the Horton Plains National Park, one of the country’s most important ecotourism areas.
Horton Plains is a highland jewel situated between Sri Lanka’s second and third highest peaks, with an elevation of over 2,000 meters. The plateau is covered with pristine grasslands and cloud forests, home to rare bird species and a variety of wildlife.
As part of Sri Lanka’s central highlands, Horton Plains National Park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 for its unique natural landscapes, rich biodiversity, and significant ecological value.
Horton Plains is the only national park in Sri Lanka that allows visitors to explore on foot, making it especially popular among hiking enthusiasts.
The park’s entire hiking trail forms a loop, stretching 9.5 kilometers, and typically takes 3–4 hours to complete. Starting a hike in the morning allows you to embark on a “race” alongside the sun and clouds.
Along the trail, you will pass two main attractions: Baker’s Falls and the world-famous World’s End.
Baker’s Falls is formed by a tributary flowing across the plains, cascading down 20 meters, and is considered one of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular sights.
Continuing past Baker’s Falls, you will arrive at a cliff that drops more than 800 meters straight down. With no path ahead, it truly feels like the “end of the world.” Standing on the edge, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of distant mountains, misty clouds, and shimmering lakes.
Another interpretation of “World’s End” comes from a unique natural phenomenon—the spectacle of clouds. As the mist thickens, it gradually veils the entire landscape before your eyes, until all that remains within sight is the cloud itself. Then, just as suddenly, the clouds drift away, revealing the sweeping scenery once more. The world seems to vanish, only to reappear in a hazy, dreamlike way.
After passing World’s End, the hiking environment transitions from montane grasslands into misty cloud forests, where along the way you may spot more wildlife hidden among the branches and foliage.
Serene, natural, vast, magnificent—there are countless words to describe the beauty of Horton Plains, yet only by being here in person can one truly experience the pure, unspoiled charm of nature.
