The Pekoe Trail: One of the World’s Greatest Places
Sri Lanka’s first long-distance hiking trail: the Pekoe Trail was featured in TIME magazine’s ‘World’s Greatest Places’ list for 2025. The trail was also featured in BBC as a ‘hike for everyone’.
The trail, which runs for more than 300km through tea plantations, villages and forests, tells the story of Sri Lanka’s colonial tea history. It is divided into 22 segments, each averaging 12 km, making it accessible for both day hikers and those seeking extended treks. Commencing in Kandy and concluding in Nuwara Eliya, the path traverses diverse landscapes, including pine and eucalyptus forests, tea fields and notable landmarks such as Horton Plains National Park and the Nine Arch Bridge.
Beyond promoting tourism, the Pekoe Trail has positively impacted local communities by creating employment opportunities in guiding, hospitality, and transportation, thereby empowering residents, especially women. The trail also offers homestay experiences, allowing hikers to immerse themselves in local culture and directly support the livelihoods of their hosts.
Learn more about the Pekoe trail here, including information on what to pack and details about the Pekoe trail pass.
