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Man sitting in Pidurangala Rock admiring Sigiriya Rock in the distance. Cover to Pidurangala hike guide.

Hiking Pidurangala Rock Guide

Can a towering rock, almost 200 meters high, popping out of flat terrain and located just under 2 km from Sri Lanka’s most visited sight, be considered a hidden gem? Debatable. But one thing is for sure: Pidurangala Rock is a must-visit while in Sigiriya.

Sigiriya Rock was the pin on our Sri Lanka itinerary map that brought us to this area, but it was the Pidurangala hike that made us tear up – yeah, the views are that epic. In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about Pidurangala Rock to make this hike a standout moment of your Sri Lanka trip.

Pidurangala Rock 101

How to Get to Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala Rock is located in Sigiriya, about a 10-minute drive from Lion Rock. The ticket office, and official starting point of the Pidurangala hike is easily reachable by scooter or tuk tuk – Google Maps directions are quite accurate. Since we were driving our own tuk tuk, it was smooth sailing. We left it at the Pidurangala Rock parking lot, and off we went! However, if you plan to visit for sunrise and don’t have a vehicle, make sure to arrange a driver the day before.

Tuk tuk illustration promoting the rental of a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka, the best way to go about a Sigiriya itinerary.

You can also reach the start of the Pidurangala hike by bicycle or on foot from many accommodations, but we strongly advise against doing so before sunrise. The unpaved road winds through dense forest, home to wild animals, including elephants, making it potentially dangerous.

Drone image of Pidurangala Rock with Sigiriya Rock in the distance, two must visit locations during a Sigiriya itinerary.

Many visitors opt for a guided tour to enhance their experience with interesting facts, support during the climb, and maybe even a quick photo session at the summit. Now, do you NEED a guide to visit Pidurangala Rock? No. However, if having one makes you feel more comfortable, consider joining this sunrise/sunset tour*.

Pidurangala Rock Opening Time

Pidurangala Rock is open from 5am every day. While ticket sales stop at 6pm, there is no official closing time, so you can comfortably stay at the summit well after sunset.

What is the best time to climb Pidurangala Rock?

The best times to climb Pidurangala Rock are at sunrise and sunset. Not only do you avoid the peak heat, but there is also something magical about the spectacular 360° view of the surroundings bathed in the morning or late afternoon light. That being said, these are the most popular times to visit, so expect more people, with occasional bottlenecks along the narrow and rocky sections of the climb.

While the Pidurangala trekking path can get busy, the summit is spacious and never feels overly crowded.

Woman aftering the Pidurangala hike sitting down on the summit admiring the views of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.
Pidurangala Sigiriya view at sunset, with white statue popping out from among the greenery.

Don’t rule out visiting at other times – it is just as impressive, though you might need to embrace a little more sweat and perhaps some internal cursing along the way.

Binoculars illustration calling out for the readers attention on the hot air balloon rides over Sigiriya, in Sri Lanka.

Pidurangala Rock Entrance Fee

The ticket to Pidurangala Rock costs LKR 1000 (3.30€) – a bargain compared to Sigiriya Rock, which costs ten times more. Children under 6 years old can enter for free.

Pidurangala Rock tickets, the best place to watch sunrise in Sigiriya.

Tickets can only be purchased in person at the ticket office, and only cash is currently accepted. You will receive a small brochure with information about Pidurangala Rock and its temple remains.

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Parking at Pidurangala Rock is free, but don’t leave food or valuables in your tuk tuk – the monkeys don’t play around.

Pidurangala Hike Difficulty

Your fitness level will greatly influence what your body perceives as challenging. Generally speaking, the Pidurangala hike is considered easy to moderately difficult – expect rough terrain, steep ascents, and light bouldering. This is not the best Sigiriya adventure for those who have reduced mobility.

Some rocks can be loose, so take your time and watch your step. Also, be aware that snakes inhabit the area. They usually don’t care to mingle with travelers, but hey, it's better you know!

Doctor illustration promoting the importance of travel insurance for the Pidurangala hike, and Sri Lanka itinerary.
Pidurangala hike path, dust and scattered rocks.
Pidurangala Rock hike path on a bouldering section of the trail.

How long does it take to climb Pidurangala Rock?

Although the summit stands at 199 meters high, this is not a long hike, it only takes around 30 minutes to climb Pidurangala Rock. However, expect it to take a bit longer if you visit at sunrise or sunset – not only because there will be more people, but also because hiking in the dark is considerably more challenging.

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What to Take to the Pidurangala Rock Hike

To climb Pidurangala Rock, it is important you wear comfortable and breathable clothing, as with most activities of this kind. However, here are some other items you should not forget:

  • Sarong – At the entrance, you will need to pass by a temple that requires women to have their knees and shoulders covered (this is strictly enforced). The ticket office lends sarongs if you don’t have one, but during peak hours, you might have to wait for one to be returned.

  • Head torch – Essential for sunrise and sunset hikes.

  • Reusable water bottle – Staying hydrated is crucial, and there are no vendors along the hike. Single-use plastics are forbidden at Pidurangala Rock.

  • Mosquito repellent.

  • Comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes – No sandals or flip flops.

For the first 100 meters or so of the hike you will need to walk barefoot, as this section is within the temple grounds.

The facilities at Pidurangala Rock are somewhat limited, so plan ahead. There are no toilets along the trail, nor are there rubbish bins – please bring all your rubbish back down with you.

Illustration of a plus sign directing the reader to a complete Sri Lanka itinerary blog post.

Pidurangala Hike: What to Expect

By now, you know you can expect a stunning 360° view from the summit of Pidurangala Rock, but what exactly is the hike like? We believe it is possible to break down the Pidurangala hike into three parts:

Start of the Pidurangala Hike

Purchase your ticket, cover yourself with a sarong, and take off your shoes – you are entering temple ground. Feel free to peek inside Pidurangala Raja Maha Viharaya, the small white buddhist temple presented in front of you. The trail up to about halfway through the Pidurangala Rock hike will be made of stairs and a straightforward pathway through the jungle.

Attention, if it rained recently be careful, the path can be quite slippery.

Two statues from inside the temple at the start of Pidurangala hike.

Pidurangala’s Rocky Part

You have reached the remains of the Pidurangala Temple, easily recognizable by the long reclining Buddha statue (no need to cover up or remove your shoes here). From this point, the hike will involve some bouldering, climbing, and shimmying between boulders. There is nothing to panic about – you’ve got this! Just take your time. Painted arrows on the rocks will show you the way.

Reconstructed laying Buddha at Pidurangala Temple, Sri Lanka.

Pidurangala Rock Summit

The last few boulders are a bit of a challenge, but you made it! The hilltop is quite flat and large, so find the perfect spot and enjoy the show – the 360° view of the surrounding countryside and the stunning Sigiriya Rock! This was one of the most magical moments of our Sri Lanka trip.

Beware of the sneaky monkeys waiting for you to get distracted while taking a photo so they can kidnap your snacks.

Cellphone illustration highlighting the best eSIM for Sri Lanka.
Pidurangala Rock as seen from above.

Pidurangala vs Sigiriya

In our humble opinion, there is no reason for a Pidurangala vs Sigiriya debate – it is like comparing a potato to an orange. Yeah, we know they are two massive rocks side by side, but they offer very different experiences, and we really enjoyed hiking both. So, the bottom line is: choose the one that suits your style the most, or visit both!

Hiking Pidurangala Rock gives you the best view of Sigiriya, as it includes the Lion Rock in the distance. The price point makes it an experience suitable for travelers with all budgets, though the hike is more physically demanding.

Hiking Sigiriya Rock is an experience that history buffs won’t want to miss – every corner has a story or legend – and the views are almost as impressive as those from Pidurangala. However, we understand that the 34€ ticket might not be the most inviting for all travelers.

Plus sign illustration directing the reader to a guide on hiking Sigiriya Rock.
Couple sitting down after climbing Pidurangala, admiring the surrounding Sigiriya view.
Woman admiring the ruins of Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka
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Pidurangala and Sigiriya on the Same Day

The Pidurangala hike won’t substitute a visit to the Sigiriya Rock fortress if you are looking for a cultural and historical experience. But who said you need to choose? As long as your legs cooperate, it is completely doable to climb Pidurangala and Sigiriya the same day.

You can visit them at whatever time suits you best, but if it were up to us, we would visit Sigiriya Rock at sunrise to have it all to ourselves, and hike Pidurangala Rock closer to sunset – you can see the path going up and prepare mentally for the return in the dark.

Man smiling after the climb to Pidurangala Rock, with Lion Rock in the background.

So, is it Pidurangala or Sigiriya? Share this post with your friends so they can help you decide!

Planning Time

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