Sigiriya view
From the top.
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A granite rock one kilometre north of Sigiriya, formed the same way, that offers what many call the finest view of Lion Rock itself, standing alone above a sea of forest. At its foot is an old Buddhist monastery whose beginnings go back to the 1st and 2nd centuries BCE. Tradition says that when King Kashyapa built his capital on Sigiriya he asked the monks to move here, and refurbished the temple to make it a prominent monastery in return. The climb starts with stone steps through the forest and ends with a short scramble between huge boulders that needs your hands, before the broad rocky summit opens out with a 360-degree view of Sigiriya, lakes and hills. Entry is about LKR 1,000, per visitor guides, paid in cash at the ticket office by the temple at the base, and shoulders and knees should be covered as you pass the temple. Sunrise and just before sunset are the popular times to climb; bring a torch and proper shoes.
From the top.
A short scramble.
At the foot.
Pidurangala, north of Sigiriya
The steps are fairly easy, but the last part is a short scramble between boulders that needs your hands and good shoes; the climb takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
