Discover the Pekoe Trail: walk through time, culture, and nature

Nestled in Sri Lanka’s lush Central Highlands, the Pekoe Trail is more than a hike — it’s a walk-through time, culture, and nature. Spanning approximately 300 km (186 miles), this fully curated long-distance trail unfolds across 22 thoughtfully staged segments, guiding travelers from the mist-wrapped peaks near Kandy to the colonial charm of Nuwara Eliya.

1. A Trek Woven from Tea, History & Culture

Building on a network of colonial-era footpaths, the Pekoe Trail connects historic tea estates, remote villages, eucalyptus forests, and train tracks once used to transport “Ceylon Tea.” Created by trail planner Miguel Cunat, the project received international support and was completed in 2024, transforming Sri Lanka’s highlands into a pioneering trekking destination.

Each trail section — ranging from 3 to 6 hours (roughly 10–21 km) — offers its own rhythm, terrain, and stories, allowing travelers to walk at their pace while soaking in diverse landscapes and neighborhood life.

2. Nature’s Beauty in Every Step

You’ll traverse through emerald tea gardens, footpaths stitched between plantation rows, and cloud-shrouded mountain slopes. Along the way, mist dances across eucalyptus groves, and you might even glimpse leopards in Horton Plains — though they remain elusive.

3. Encounters That Echo with Warmth

This trail stitches together human stories and cultural heritage — from hilltop markets in Galaha to tea pickers moving seamlessly through lush rows. The local Tamil communities, descendants of those brought in during the colonial era, continue their dedicated work despite modest pay and hard conditions. These interactions, though brief, are deeply human, grounded in resilience and hospitality.

4. Comfort Found in Simple Luxuries

Despite its remote character, the Pekoe Trail offers surprising comfort. Many segments start and end near guesthouses, homestays, boutique estates, or restored planters’ bungalows — some offering gourmet meals, local ambience, and even tea tastings by former factories.

5. Celebrated & Sustainable

This trail is not just scenic — it’s sustainably designed, benefiting local communities through responsible tourism, guided walks, and infrastructure support. Globally, it has earned acclaim: TIME named it among the “World’s Greatest Places of 2025“, and National Geographic listed it among its “Best of the World 2024” travel experiences.

Why the Pekoe Trail Shines for Eunoia Lanka Tours