If you find yourself in Sigiriya or the nearby town of Dambulla, it’s likely because of two famous attractions: Lion’s Rock and Pidurangala. Both offer stunning views and are worth visiting. Here’s a quick breakdown of each, including the cost, difficulty level, and what you’ll see from the top.
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Lion’s Rock:
Sigiriya is a little town with one major claim to fame: Lion’s Rock, Sri Lanka’s most famous tourist spot.
Back in the 5th century, King Kashyapa made this giant rock his capital and built his palace right on top of it. Later, the fortress was used during a royal family feud, and eventually, Buddhist monks took over the place. The story of the fighting brothers sounds like a fairy tale, and I totally recommend diving into the history of this spot – it’s fascinating.
Besides the cool backstory, the views from the top are absolutely worth it. You’ll get to see endless green landscapes that stretch for miles. To get there, you’ll need to climb about 1,200 steps. I know, it sounds like a lot, but you won’t even notice when you see older folks with walking sticks making their way up.
The way is broken up into sections, with a few rest stops along the way, including one where you’ll pass through a cave (where photos aren’t allowed). Inside, you can still see ancient frescoes of naked women, which the monks attempted to erase.
After the cave, you’ll pass the “Mirror Wall,” which used to be so shiny the king could see his reflection. These days, it’s more like the “Graffiti Wall,” thanks to tourists over the years.
After the cave, you’ll pass the “Mirror Wall,” which used to be so shiny the king could see his reflection. These days, it’s more like the “Graffiti Wall,” thanks to tourists over the years.
Eventually, you’ll reach the Lion’s Paws – one original, the other reconstructed – and from there, it’s a short climb to the top.
At the summit, you can wander around the old terraces and imagine the king’s life with his pool and insane views.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot some cheeky monkeys. But be careful with your snacks – they’ll steal them right out of your hands!
After taking in the views, you’ll head down a different route, where you’ll be greeted by souvenir stalls (and more monkeys).
Pidurangala
If you’re trying to save a bit of cash, Pidurangala is a great alternative. It’s right across from Lion’s Rock and gives you amazing views of the fortress for a fraction of the cost.
The hike starts near a temple, so you’ll need to pay about 500 rupees and they’ll give you a cloth to cover up (don’t forget to take off your shoes before you pass through the temple).
The best time to go is during the day, about an hour before sunset. This way, you’ll get a clear view of Lion’s Rock, and if you’re lucky, a stunning sunset too. Just don’t hang around too long – coming back down in the dark can be tricky, especially at the start of the trail.
There’s a great viewpoint on the way up where we caught one of the most unreal sunsets I’ve ever seen – and no filter needed!
The hike itself is pretty easy, as long as you take it slow. The only tricky part is right at the top, where you might need a hand to scramble up the last bit of rock – but trust me, it’s easier than it looks.
Once you’re up there, the summit is super wide, and you can find a nice spot to chill out and take in the view.
Quick Comparison:
Price:
Lion’s Rock – $30
Pidurangala – Just a few bucks
קושי:
Lion’s Rock – A 45-minute climb up 1,200 well-maintained steps.
Pidurangala – A short, 30-minute scramble over rocks. Both hikes are easy and suitable for most ages.
Views:
Lion’s Rock – Gorgeous green forest, but not mind-blowing.
Pidurangala – Epic views of Lion’s Rock rising above the forest – way more impressive, if you ask me.
Bottom Line: Do Both!
Honestly, there’s not a ton to do in Sigiriya, so even if you’re only there for one night, you’ll have time for both hikes. We arrived in the afternoon from Negombo, climbed Pidurangala before sunset, and tackled Lion’s Rock the next morning. Afterward, we chilled by the pool at Hotel Sigiriya and then moved on to our next stop.
If you want to get through Sigiriya quickly (since there’s no reason to hang around too long), I’d recommend staying in Sigiriya itself rather than in Dambulla.