Lipton's Seat
Lipton's Seat is perhaps the most popular attraction in Haputale. Situated an hour away from town, it's a viewpoint named after the celebrated Thomas Lipton, a Scottish businessman who moved to British Ceylon in 1890, where he met James Taylor and together they introduced tea gardens to the country. Prior to Lipton's arrival, Taylor had attempted to grow coffee on the island, but the plantations were devastated by leaf blight — with Lipton's help, the two men embarked on a business venture that would outlive their lifetimes. Today you can still enjoy one of the best views from the lookout, complete with a life-sized statue of Lipton on a bench for photos. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the late-morning fog: as the sun rises, the hills turn from dark blue to vibrant green while the sky transforms through lilac, pink, orange and finally blue. By noon the view is usually washed over by mist, so plan your visit accordingly — this is a must-visit for anyone in the area.
Diyaluma Waterfall
Diyaluma Waterfall is the country's second-tallest and one of the most accessible. Diyaluma roughly translates to 'rapid flow of water' or 'liquid light', but despite this fairly tranquil name, the story behind the cascade is quite tragic — legend holds that a chief's son was banished and had to flee the village with his betrothed by scaling a cliff face, but the girl slipped and fell to her death. Taking pity, the gods sent a rush of water over the cliff to wash away any evidence of the tragedy. Even with this morbid backstory, the view from the top makes you instantly forget the story. Of the three routes to the fall, the Uda Diyaluma trail is most popular and family-friendly, since the ascent isn't too steep; at one point the trek passes through endless fields of lemongrass, wrapping you in a cloud of citrusy freshness. The climb takes about an hour, rewarding you with a stunning view of the rolling hills and the town below, plus the chance to cool off in rock pools or picnic on the boulders scattered around the area.
Adisham Bungalow
The Adisham Bungalow was once the country house of Sir Thomas Lester Villiers, but today houses the Adisham Monastery of St Benedict. Just 3km from Haputale town, it's one of the most picturesque corners of the region. Constructed in 1931, the house was designed in Tudor style, fashioned after Leeds Castle in Kent — Sir Thomas even named it after the village he was born in, and it has all the trappings you'd imagine of an English mansion. The bungalow has an impressive floor-to-ceiling library filled with old dusty volumes the planter held dear; access to the whole house is limited, with visitors only allowed to see the library and living room, though there's an adjoining guest house where people are welcome to stay. Sir Thomas Villiers spared no expense on his home, but its surroundings are just as splendid — perched on the edge of a cliff flanked by an outcrop fringed with tall pine trees, with a wonderful view of the Uva valley and a beautiful garden and orchard to stroll through. A little kiosk on the grounds sells fresh homemade jams, pickles and coffee liqueurs.
Dambatenne Tea Factory
The Dambatenne Tea Factory was built by Thomas Lipton in 1890 when he began his tea empire, and this is the factory that manufactures his famous Lipton Ceylon black tea. Lipton made the tea industry what it is today, harvesting and selling tea around the world and quickly making his name a household one. From Lipton's Seat the factory is just a short way off, reachable by tuk-tuk or by following a trail through the tea plantation — a great option for families with young children. A tour runs every 30 minutes, giving you an interesting look at the whole manufacturing process, from the collection of tea leaves through oxidation to packaging, ending with a chance to sample some world-renowned Ceylon tea and buy a few souvenirs.
Idalgashinna Railway Station
Located between Haputale and Ohiya railway stations, Idalgashinna is often deemed the most picturesque railway station in Sri Lanka. Constructed in 1893 when the railway track was extended from Nanu Oya to Haputale, the station is famous for having 14 tunnels between Ohiya and Idalgashinna, holding the record for the highest number of tunnels between two railway stations in the country. The tiny single-platform station looks even smaller against the pine-forest-covered hill towering behind it. The best time to visit is in the morning, especially for sunrise, since the station is enveloped in thick mist during later afternoons and evenings — a magical sight in its own right. There's also a scenic 8km, roughly three-hour walking trail from Idalgashinna Station to Ohiya Station, hugging the edge of cliffs and passing all 14 tunnels along the way.
The Devil's Staircase
Among the world's several man-made and natural structures nicknamed 'The Devil's Staircase', Sri Lanka's is among the most dangerous. This 14km trail has a steep ascent with many sharp zigzag turns, recommended only for more experienced hikers, though a 4WD vehicle is an alternative if you don't mind missing some scenery. You could start in Ohiya and end in Kalupahana, or vice versa. The highlight en route is Bambarakanda Falls — the country's tallest waterfall at 863ft — a kilometre before Kalupahana, especially beautiful when the first rays of sunlight catch the cascade. This is one of the last areas on the island retaining primaeval tropical forest, since most of Sri Lanka's original tree cover was cleared to cultivate coffee and tea by the turn of the 19th century.
Thangamale Bird Sanctuary
One of the country's lesser-known wildlife sanctuaries, Thangamale is a wonderful attraction to visit with kids, taking up most of Thangamale Mountain, which is adorned with evergreen cloud forests. The sanctuary is home to many endemic and migratory birds, such as the Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lankan Parrot and Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl, with glimpses of other mountain ranges, including Pidurangala, visible along the way. June to September is ideal for birdwatching — plan to trek in the early mornings.
Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains is one of the only national parks in the highlands, with a 9.5km trail looping through it, ideal for kids of all ages. As you trek, you'll come across the park's main highlights — World's End and Baker's Falls. Wear appropriate footwear, as the trail can take two to three hours. Start your trek at 6am, when the park opens; after 10am a thick blanket of mist will hinder your views.
Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara
One of the best things about Sri Lanka is its interesting history, and Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara, about an hour and a half from Haputale, is an ancient Buddhist temple whose history dates to the time of the Buddha — it's believed he visited on his third trip to the island, accompanied by 500 Arahants. On this site, one of Sri Lanka's kings built a temple whose stupa enshrines a hair relic and Mukathaka Dathu (sweat droplets said to have turned into pearls) from the Buddha. Remember to cover your shoulders and knees before entering.
