There is something special about growing up in Kandy. Maybe it’s the cold mornings wrapped in mist, the endless mountain roads, or the way nature always feels close to your heart. Living in the hill country makes you fall in love with peaceful landscapes, cool weather, and quiet adventures. And because of that, whenever life starts to feel too heavy, the mountains always seem to call us back.
This time, that call led us to Riverston.
People often describe Riverston as one of Sri Lanka’s hidden gems, but honestly, it feels far beyond that. It’s not just a destination. It’s an experience. A place where the clouds move beside you, where the wind feels alive, and where, for a few precious hours, the noise inside your head completely disappears.
The Journey Begins
We started our trip around 8.30 in the morning from Kandy. The city was only beginning to wake up. Shops were slowly opening, buses were filling the roads, and the cool morning air still carried the smell of rain from the previous night.
As we drove further away from the city, the roads slowly transformed. Busy streets turned into narrow mountain roads surrounded by forests, tea estates, tiny villages, and endless greenery. The deeper we went into the mountains, the colder the air became.
The journey to Riverston is not just about reaching the destination. Every part of the road feels like a different chapter of the adventure. There’s always something beautiful outside the window: waterfalls hiding between trees, mountain peaks covered in mist, children walking to school through tiny villages, and old houses resting quietly among the hills.
Two hours passed without us even realizing it.
A Hidden Breakfast Spot in Kaikawala
Around 10.30 AM, we reached a small town called Kaikawala near Rattota.
Near Kaikawala Central College, we noticed a tiny roadside shop run by a local lady. It wasn’t a fancy restaurant or a popular café you’d see online. Just a small village food stall with simple wooden benches, smoke rising from the kitchen, and the smell of fresh coconut roti and tea filling the air.
But sometimes, those hidden little places create the best memories.
We decided to stop there for breakfast.
We ordered pol roti and string hoppers. While waiting, we watched the lady carefully preparing everything by hand with the kind of warmth and care only village cooking seems to have.
Then came the string hoppers.
They were wrapped inside fresh kanda leaves along with spicy coconut sambol. The moment we opened the leaf wrapping, the aroma alone made us hungry all over again. The leaf had given the string hoppers a soft earthy fragrance that made them completely different from anything we had eaten before.
And honestly, they were unforgettable.
The string hoppers were unbelievably soft, probably the softest I have ever tasted in my life. Combined with the fresh coconut sambol, it felt like one of those meals you wish would never end.
We also had plain tea served in simple glass cups while the cool mountain breeze flowed through the little shop.
There was no luxury there. No decorations. No social media-worthy setup.
Just warm food, kind people, cold weather, and peace.
And somehow, that made it perfect.
A Taste of Tradition at IDNC Kithula Shop
After breakfast, we continued our journey further into the mountains toward Riverston Road. The higher we climbed, the more beautiful the surroundings became. Thick forests surrounded the roads while clouds slowly drifted across the mountains.
Our next stop was the famous IDNC Kithula Shop near the 13-mile post on Riverston Road.
The place is a paradise for anyone who loves traditional Sri Lankan products. From kithul treacle and jaggery to natural village-made products, everything there felt authentic and untouched by modern commercial culture.
But the real highlight was the fresh kithul raa.
They served it in the most traditional way possible, inside a clay pot, accompanied by salt and pepper, while you drink it using a coconut shell.
That experience alone felt worth the stop.
Sitting there surrounded by mountains, sipping fresh kithul raa from a coconut shell while cold wind rushed through the trees, felt like stepping into another era of Sri Lankan village life.
Before leaving, we ordered takeaway lunch packs for later. The prices were surprisingly affordable, especially considering how generous the portions were. Each packet came with around seven different curries, packed neatly and ready for our picnic at the top.
Entering Another World
By around 1 PM, we finally reached the entrance to the Riverston View Point.
Even before starting the hike, the scenery was already breathtaking.
Clouds floated through the valleys below us while giant mountain ranges stretched endlessly into the distance. The cold wind carried the smell of wet grass and forest air. It felt calm, powerful, and peaceful all at once.
Near the entrance, several small vendors were selling snacks, tea, fruits, and even Dettol spray for leech protection. For around 20 rupees, they spray your legs before the hike to help avoid leech bites, something definitely worth doing, especially during wet weather.
We grabbed some snacks, adjusted our bags, and finally began the hike.
The Climb Through the Clouds
The trail itself is not extremely difficult, but what makes it unforgettable is the scenery around you.
Every few minutes, we found ourselves stopping just to admire the views. Sometimes clouds would suddenly move across the path and cover everything in white mist. Then, within seconds, the wind would clear the sky again, revealing endless mountains beneath us.
It honestly felt unreal.
The higher we climbed, the stronger the wind became.
And then we reached Hulan Kapolla.
The name makes perfect sense once you experience it yourself. The wind there is unbelievably powerful. Standing still becomes difficult, and trying to pose for photos feels almost impossible because the wind pushes against your entire body.
But at the same time, it was one of the most exciting parts of the journey.
The cold air, the roaring wind, the moving clouds, everything felt wild and alive.
The View That Heals You
Finally, after the climb, we reached the viewpoint itself.
And honestly…
No camera can truly capture what it feels like standing there.
The moment you arrive, something changes inside you.
All the stress you carry from daily life suddenly feels small. The worries in your head slowly disappear into the clouds below. For a few moments, nothing matters except the mountains, the wind, and the silence around you.
Standing there above the clouds felt almost spiritual.
The view stretched endlessly across the horizon. Layers of mountains faded into the distance while clouds moved beneath our feet like waves in an ocean.
It didn’t feel like Sri Lanka anymore.
It felt like another world.
We spent nearly an hour there simply enjoying the moment. We had brought a picnic blanket with us, so we spread it across the rocks and enjoyed our lunch while surrounded by mountains and clouds.
Honestly, it was one of the most peaceful lunches we’ve ever had.
No restaurant in the world could compete with that view.
Ice Cream, Chai, and the Journey Back
Around 4.30 PM, we grabbed ice cream from a small vendor at the top before starting our descent.
There was something strangely satisfying about eating ice cream while freezing mountain winds rushed past us.
As evening slowly arrived, the mountains became quieter. The golden sunlight mixed with the mist, creating one of the most beautiful sunsets we had ever seen.
We finally started climbing down around 5.30 PM.
By the time we reached the entrance again, we were exhausted, freezing, muddy, and unbelievably happy.
Before leaving, we stopped at a small roadside stall for chai tea.
And trust me, after that hike, that chai tea tastes magical.
Warm, sweet, spicy, and comforting against the cold mountain weather.
One small tip for anyone visiting: make sure to carry enough water before reaching the entrance because water bottles there are slightly more expensive than usual.
More Than Just a Trip
If you are planning to visit nearby attractions like Pitawala Pathana and other places around Riverston, I highly recommend making it a two-day trip.
Riverston is not a place meant to be rushed.
It’s a place where you slow down.
A place where you breathe deeply.
A place where nature reminds you how small your problems really are.
Some trips give you photos.
Some trips give you memories.
But Riverston gives you peace.
Before leaving Riverston, one thing stayed in our minds more than the beautiful views, how pure and untouched nature still feels there. Places like this are becoming rare. So if you visit, please respect and protect the environment. Do not throw plastic, food wrappers, or bottles around the trails and viewpoints. Avoid damaging plants or disturbing wildlife. The beauty of Riverston lies in its raw, natural atmosphere, and it is our responsibility to preserve it for future travelers to experience the same magic. Leave only footprints, take only memories.
Road trips through the hill country of Sri Lanka always lead to unforgettable memories, and if Riverston left you wanting more mountain adventures, the Pekoe Trail hike from Hanthana to Galaha is another experience you should not miss. Read our detailed guide on the Pekoe Trail Stage 1 – Hanthana to Galaha Scenic Hike for your next nature escape.
Location Map
Nearby Atractions
- Hulu Ganga Waterfall - 13.6 km
- Yahangala - 22.4 km
- Udawatta Kele Sanctuary – A Tranquil Forest Reserve in Kandy - 27.1 km
- Athgala Sri Dalada Maligawa - 27.5 km
- Ehelepola Walawwa - (Wax Museum kandy) - 27.7 km
- Sri Dalada Maligawa - Temple of Tooth Relic - 27.7 km
- Bahirawakanda Temple Kandy - 27.9 km
- Pekoe Trail Stage 2 – Galaha to Loolkandura Scenic Hiking Guide - 29.6 km
- Sagama Raja Maha Viharaya - 32.3 km
- Sagama Perahera - 32.5 km
