Ussangoda National Park
Southern Province
About Ussangoda National Park
Ussangoda is one of Sri Lanka's strangest landscapes: a windswept plateau of bare, rust-red earth perched on cliffs above the southern ocean, where almost nothing grows taller than your knee. The soil is rich in serpentine minerals toxic to most plants, creating a Martian scrubland that stops abruptly at the green tree line. Legend fills the gap science leaves: in Ramayana tradition this is scorched ground - variously the landing strip of Ravana's flying chariot or land burned by Hanuman's flaming tail. Declared a national park in 2010, Ussangoda is a place for slow wandering: short trails cross the red plain to cliff edges with huge ocean views, sea turtles nest on the beaches below, and the pans of nearby Kalametiya attract flocks of waterbirds. Visit at golden hour, when the red earth glows.
Top Activities
- ✓Walking the red-earth trails to the cliffs
- ✓Sunset photography
- ✓Turtle-nesting beaches below the headland
- ✓Birdwatching at Kalametiya lagoon
- ✓Learning the Ramayana legends of the site
Nearby Attractions
Travel Tips
Go in the last two hours before sunset - the light and heat are far kinder.
There is no shade at all; bring water and a hat.
Combine with Kalametiya lagoon for a nature-filled half day.
Quick Info
Best Time
November to April
Weather
Hot, dry and windy most of the year - carry water and sun protection.
Estimated Daily Budget
6.0989°N, 80.9848°E
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