Single Tree Mountain, Horton Plains, Moon Plains, Shanthipura offer beautiful views of Nuwara Eliya and beyond. Another place is the Gregory Lake where one can view the surrounding mountains that gives a back drop to Nuwara Eliya.
Single Tree Mountain
Situated 6890 ft above mean sea level and takes about 90 minutes to reach the top. Single Tree hill is the best vantage point to observe the beauty of Nuwara Eliya and the beauty of Haggala Mountain range. Single Tree Mountain unravels the spectacular views of the entire Nuwara Eliya Town including other mountains such as Piduruthalagala and Haggala mountains. After trekking through tea plantations one reaches the top where there is just 1 single tree. This is the 7th highest mountain in Sri Lanka and is easily accessible. If one gets to the top around 5.30 a.m. – 7.00 a.m. one can see the best cloud formations around Sri Lanka and also the reflection of the mountain through Gregory Lake. On a very clear day one can see Piduruthalagala Mountain (Pedro Mountain), Lovers leap falls, Lake Gregory and urban areas of Nuwara Eliya in the northern valley and the southern valley of Adam’s Peak, Seven Virgin Hills, Conical Hill and Uda Radella mountains.
Moon Plaines (Sandathenna)
Moon plains were a 400 meter long and 30-40 meter deep valley till the late 1990s and was part of a catchment area. Once you go to this location the scenery is so beautiful that one feels you are in a different world.
Located in Nuwara Eliya is this Agricultural and Environment zone which was opened in March 2014. This beautiful area of land is made more picturesque by its flat and slightly slopy land mass with the blue hills in the background. One can see wild deer, elk, wild buffalo grazing on the green plains and many endemic bird varieties. Moon Plains is a mini Worlds End and at its edge gives a 3560 degree view of the surrounding peaks and towers. If one is lucky you may see a leopard or two.
Pedro Mountain
Popularly known as Piduruthalagala , where the radio transmitting station is seen at the summit of the mountain from Nuwara Eliya. Situated next to the heart of Nuwara Eliya town is the Pedro Mountain (Piduruthalagala) and the forest reserve. Nuwara Eliya being a mountain valley consists of a plateau that is shaped elliptically. The mountains on this plateau rise up to 2000 ft making some ridges. The plateau is 6240 ft above mean sea level and makes the highest mountain peak which is Piduruthalagala ( Pedro Mountain) It is a 4 mile trek to the top and taken about 2 ½ hours or could be made on horseback. The meaning of “Piduruthalagala” means “straw laden rock” and has a flattened mountain peak with pale green patana covering the whole surface.
Shanthipura
Shanthipura is the highest village in North East of Sri Lanka and accessible from the Nuwara Eliya Kandy road. Located at the bottom of a hill, this little village gives a panoramic view of the distant blue hills and the lake next to the valley, gradually again going up a slope with the green tea bushes. Many hotels are located here where the traveler can book into a room at very reasonable rates.
Uda Radella
Located close to Nuwara Eliya is Uda Radella .Situated along the road to Nanu Oya Ella from Nuwara Eliya the Uda Radella view point can be located. This is one of the main view points where Adams Peak can be seen and is not known by many people.
