Pidurangala Rock – Why you should climb this instead of Sigiriya Rock

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4.30 am wakeup calls, stumbling up boulders with just a torchlight as our source of light, was it worth it, you ask? Heck yeah. We witnessed one of the most beautiful sunrises in Sri Lanka that made it so hard for us to leave. Most visitors to Sri Lanka may instantly gravitate to the infamous Sigiriya Rock, but over the recent years, Pidurangala Rock has gotten its fair share of attention, offering an arguably better view than Sigiriya Rock. In this guide, I’ll tell you why you should pick Pidurangala Rock over Sigiriya Rock, and tips to get yourself the best experience.

Pidurangala Rock vs Sigiriya Rock

The climb

Both Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock are of similar height at about 200 meters (660 feet) high, with Pidurangala merely 1 meter shorter.

To get to the top of Sigiriya Rock, you just follow a manmade steel staircase all the way to the top, so you could get up there even if you weren’t the fittest person (like me). This varies on how crowded the staircase gets, but expect to spend about 45 minutes to an hour.

The climb up Pidurangala Rock does require a little more agility. The first half is easy, you just follow a series of stone steps until you reach the very end, where you’ll be required to do a bit of bouldering. You’ll have to probably get on your knees, do a bit of stretching and roll on your back a little, but it’s nothing impossible. Everyone is trying to get up anyway, so everyone sort of helps pull each other up. Inclusive of that bit of bouldering, it took us a little under 45 minutes, and we were really taking our time. If you’re fitter than me (which is likely the general population), you could get up within 30 minutes or less.

Cost

Sigiriya Rock: $30

Pidurangala Rock: 500 rupees (just under $3!)

The view

From Pidurangala Rock, you get to see Sigiriya Rock peeking out from the horizon — pure magic!

Conclusion

Honestly, if you had the time (and budget), by all means, do both because you’ll get two different experiences. Sigiriya Rock has the whole historical aspect to it and is a UNESCO world heritage site, but Pidurangla Rock offers you the view of Sigiriya Rock.

I opted for just Pidurangla Rock because that was what I did first and then felt too tired to do another hike up Sigiriya Rock. Also, I didn’t see the point in shelling out another $30 to get a similar view of the area.

How to get to Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala Rock is located in Sigiriya Village and is a short distance from Sigiriya Rock in case you wanted to do both. There is a car park at the base, and the entry is through the temple, Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya.

The Pidurangala Rock Hike

Probably the best time to visit Pidurangala Rock is for sunrise and sunset, both for the stunning views and for weather reasons. The heat and humidity after around 11 am can make the climb a lot tougher not to mention uncomfortable. I’d suggest starting as early as possible. We started our hike at 5:30 am and the weather was still pretty chilly, but of course, it wasn’t long before we started working up a sweat.

We started off at the temple where you’ll have to pay the entrance fee. Since you are passing through a temple, you’ll have to ensure your shoulders and knees are covered. Once you pass the temple, you’re free to remove your sarongs or scarves. You’ll need to keep them covered again for your descent. Once you pass the temple, you’ll be climbing up stone stairs that can be quite steep and slippery. If you’re doing the sunrise hike, you’ll need a torch as there aren’t any lights along the path.

Along the way, you will pass a giant reclining Buddha statue, one of the few remaining structures of the Royal Cave Temple. It’s also a good place to take a break before continuing your journey! Also, a great sign that you’re almost there!

Once you get to the top, there’s one last boulder you’ll have to tackle before you get to the top of Pidurangala Rock. As I mentioned previously, this bit can be a tiny bit challenging but isn’t impossible. I ended up having to roll on my back and crawl a little since I have virtually no upper nor lower body strength. This challenge actually added to the whole fantastic experience of hiking up Pidurangala Rock!

The view from Pidurangala Rock

If you’re coming for sunrise, just take note that the sun rises behind you if you’re facing Sigiriya Rock. When we first got up to the rock, we quickly secured a spot in front of Sigiriya Rock and were surprised to see not that many people. So we took a walk around this huge rock, and found hoards of people sitting waiting for the sunrise on the other side! Only after the sunrise did most of the people come down to this rock where you get the best view of Sigiriya Rock.

It was really foggy on the day we got there, so we decided not to watch the actual sunrise, but to just camp out in front of the Sigiriya Rock, waiting for the fog to clear. It was a lot quieter here too since most of the crowd was waiting for the sunrise on the other side, so we could sneak in a little time for meditation. The fresh mountain air combined with the peace and serenity here was seriously so good for the soul.

Where to stay in Sigiriya

In my opinion, Sri Lanka is the perfect place to really get back to nature, and that applies to accommodation options too! Skip the 5-star hotels and sleep in a treehouse with just you and the sounds of nature. We stayed at Back of Beyond Dehigala Ela and it was truly an unforgettable experience! It’s a little under a 30-minute ride to Pidurangala Rock, but it’s perfect if you really wanna get away from it all!

You can also check out more places to stay in Sigiriya here.

Have you ever hiked up Pidurangala Rock or Sigiriya Rock? Which did you prefer? Let me know in the comments below!

More Sri Lanka Reads

• Kandy to Ella Train: Everything you need to know about the world’s most beautiful train ride
• Hiking Little Adam’s Peak for the Best Sunset in Ella, Sri Lanka
• DIYALUMA FALLS: Swim at the top of Sri Lanka’s 2nd highest waterfall

Further reading: Lonely Planet Sri Lanka Travel Guide is an up-to-date guide on what to see and skip, and the hidden secrets Sri Lanka holds. It features color maps and images, highlights and itineraries, insider tips, essential info, honest reviews and cultural insights.

Covers: Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Arugam Bay, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Uda Walawe National Park, Bundala National Park, hill country, ancient cities, and more

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