Pidurangala Rock: A Guide to One of Sri Lanka’s Best Hikes
Looking for one of the best hikes in Sri Lanka? Pidurangala Rock is an incredible hike located near the famous Sigiriya (Lion’s Rock). This beautiful hike offers breathtaking panoramic views, fewer crowds and the perfect view of Lion’s Rock.
Although my trip to Sri Lanka wasn’t initially focused on hiking (I mostly went for the beautiful beaches), I tried to fit in as many hikes as possible. Pidurangala Rock remains one of my favourite hikes in Sri Lanka, and I’m so glad we decided to do it (despite battling the extreme Sri Lankan heat).
Close to Sigiriya, Pidurangala Rock tends to be overlooked by tourists, with most of the focus being on the Lion’s Rock hike. However, in my opinion, Pidurangala Rock has just as much, if not more, to offer.
In this guide, I’ve shared all you need to know about hiking up Pidurangala Rock, including a recap of my experience, important things to know and how to complete the hike.
About the Pidurangala Rock Hike
Location: A short drive from Sigiriya
Time to hike: Around 30-40 minutes to reach the top
Terrain: Dirt and rocks
Difficulty: Moderate (but be aware of scrambling at the end)
Entrance fee: LKR 1000
Best time of day: Sunrise or sunset
Pidurangala Rock is a short drive from the town of Sigiriya. Most people visit the area to witness the famous Sigiriya Rock, but few people seem to know about Pidurangala Rock, which makes it all the more special.
Similar to Sigiriya Rock, the site is also known for its ancient Buddhist monastery, which is believed to have gained prominence during the reign of King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD.
Along with its fascinating history, Pidurangala Rock is known for its incredible views of the surrounding landscape, including the famous Sigiriya. At almost 200 metres tall, the views from the top are genuinely fantastic, and easily some of the best I saw in Sri Lanka (along with Ella’s Rock).
If you only have one day in the Sigiriya area, you can tag this hike on after Lion’s Rock. It should only take about an hour to complete, so be sure to pack some snacks and plenty of water.
My experience hiking Pidurangala Rock
I did the Pidurangala Rock hike right after hiking Lion’s Rock, so I was already slightly exhausted from the heat. Even so, it’s one of the best things I did while in Sri Lanka.
We had planned to do it for sunset the day before, but due to heavy rain and a huge thunderstorm, we decided it would be better (and safer) to do it the following day.
The hike starts off relatively straightforward. The trail begins at a Buddhist Temple, and you’ll need to cover your legs and shoulders for the first part. If you don’t have anything, the temple provides free wraps for your shoulders and knees.
I must admit, the first part of the trail is a bit mundane. You’ll walk through the trees, and there’s not much of a view. However, the trees do offer some nice protection from the sun.
Depending on your pace, you’ll reach Pidurangala Cave and the reclining Buddha statue after about 15 or 20 minutes. This is a great place to stop and catch your breath, admire the start of the views and the temple grounds (although you can’t go inside).
After this section, the real work begins. The rest of the hike only takes about fifteen minutes, but you’ll need to scramble up some rocks to reach the top.
I was a little nervous about this section as I had heard some horror stories, but it’s not too bad at all. Just take your time, especially for the last couple of rocks.
Also, try to stick to the left. You can go up to the right, but it’s a lot more difficult. We came across a girl who had tried this and ended up getting stuck. We had to help her across to the left side instead.
After the scrambling, we were rewarded with the most incredible views of Sigiriya Rock and the surrounding Sri Lankan landscape. It was genuinely breathtaking and one of the best views in Sri Lanka.
You can walk a little bit further up the ledge to get more panoramic views, but I think the best view is when you first step onto the rock platform.
In total, it took my group around 40 minutes to reach the top, including a break at the reclining Buddha.
You return to the trailhead exactly the way you came.
All you need to know about the hike
How to get to Pidurangala Rock
From Sigiriya, you can take a tuk-tuk to the Pidurangala Rock hike entrance. You can also take a tuk-tuk straight from Lion’s Rock if you prefer.
It’s possible to do the hike as part of a guided tour, but I don’t think it’s necessarily needed (unless you want a guide, information, or someone to take photos).
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, you will need to pay LKR 1000 (around $4 USD) to hike Pidurangala Rock. This includes access to the trail and the use of cover-ups when walking through the temple grounds (accurate in July 2025).
The trail officially opens at 5am in time for sunrise.
Is this hike difficult?
It should be doable for most people with reasonable fitness. The incline is quite steep, but it shouldn’t take longer than 20 to 30 minutes.
The majority of the hike involves walking up a steep dirt path. Here, the heat is your worst enemy.
The last part of the hike requires some scrambling and bouldering to reach the top. I wouldn’t say it’s particularly difficult as there are no sheer drops and it’s a well-trodden route.
Even so, you’ll need to have confidence pulling yourself up some pretty big rocks.
Hiking Pidurangala Rock for sunset
Sunset is the best time to hike Pidurangala Rock. Watching the sun set over Sigiriya is beautiful. You’ll also avoid the worst of the midday heat. Sunrise is another excellent time for the hike, and you’ll avoid the worst of the crowds this way. The trail is open from 5 am.
I had planned to do the hike at sunset, but the weather was not in my favour. In the end, I did it late in the morning, right after Sigiriya (arguably the worst time to do it, given my energy levels and the heat!).
If you do go for sunset, make sure you have some light (ideally a headtorch) so you can easily get back down.
What to pack
It’s quite a short hike, so you don’t need to worry too much about what to take. However, the Sri Lankan heat can be powerful, so here are a few essential items.
- Water | There are no water sources along the hike, so be sure to bring plenty with you. Although it’s a quick hike, the heat can be very powerful.
- Sun protection | Once you reach the top of the hike, you’ll be completely exposed to the Sri Lankan sun. Remember to have a cap, sunglasses and plenty of SPF to keep you protected.
- Bug spray | We encountered some pesky bugs during the hike. Don’t forget to pack your bug repellent.
- Toilet paper | There are some toilets at the very start of the trail, but you’ll need to bring your own toilet paper.
- A sugary snack | The hike shouldn’t take more than 90 minutes return, but I still recommend packing a sugary snack in case the heat gets the best of you.
- Headtorch (if going for sunrise or sunset) | If you’re hiking up or down in the dark, don’t forget to carry a torch or headlamp. As you’ll be scrambling, it’ll be easier to have one that you don’t need to hold (like a head torch). It will be tough doing this hike without any light, and there are also snakes around.
Other things to know
Wear sensible shoes: Ensure you wear closed-toe shoes with a good grip when hiking. You don’t necessarily need full-on hiking shoes or boots, but the path can be a bit slippery, and you’ll need to scramble up some rocks. Additionally, be aware that there may be snakes and insects on the ground, so keep your feet protected.
Watch the wildlife: Along with snakes and insects, the area is also home to some monkeys. Over the years, the monkeys have learnt that humans = food, and although the monkeys here aren’t as aggressive as in other places, it’s still a sensible idea to avoid eating any food around them. Don’t feed the monkeys, as this will only encourage aggressive behaviour.
You can’t go inside Pidurangala Temple: Although you can admire the reclining Buddha from the outside, you can’t go into the temple on this hike. If you want to explore a cave temple inside the rock, you’ll need to head to Lion’s Rock or another temple such as Dambulla.
You’ll have to cover up: The start of the hike takes you through some temple grounds. For this section, you’ll need to cover your shoulders and knees. If you don’t have a cover-up, the temple provides them for free.
Sigiriya Rock or Pidurangala Rock: Which is best?
I might turn a few heads when I say this, but I personally preferred Pidurangala Rock. The views were more impressive as you get to see Lion’s Rock in all its glory, it was much quieter (no queuing on the steps), and it’s A LOT cheaper.
Having said that, Sigiriya Rock is still absolutely worth doing. After all, it’s one of Sri Lanka’s most popular attractions for a reason. The views are still fantastic, and it’s much more of a cultural experience than Pidurangala (if you go inside the temples).
I’m really happy I got to do both, and would recommend you do the same if you can. But if you’re worried about the steep cost of Lion’s Rock, Pidurangala Rock has some epic views, is much cheaper, and you’ll get to see Lion’s Rock from a distance.
Ultimately, both hikes are well worth doing. If you’ve got the time (and the leg strength), I’d say do both. However, if you’re on a budget or simply want a more relaxed climb with epic views, Pidurangala might be more your vibe.
