Climbing Pidurangala Rock for sunset was one of our favorite things to do during our trip to Sri Lanka. The view of Lion Rock and the jungle of the Cultural Triangle is incredible, so much so that you could spend hours perched up there.
So how do you climb Pidurangala? When is the best time to go? We tell you everything in this article!
The history of Pidurangala Rock
Pidurangala’s history is directly tied to Sigiriya’s. After killing his father and driving his brother into exile, King Kashyapa I built a huge palace on top of Lion Rock, so he could watch out for his brother’s possible return in search of revenge.
But according to tradition, the rock was already home to bhikkhus, Buddhist monks. The king moved them to the neighboring rock, Pidurangala, and built them a monastery there as compensation.
That’s why, on your way up, you’ll pass several caves the monks used for their rituals, as well as a large reclining Buddha statue.
How to climb Pidurangala Rock
The trail starts at a modern temple, Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya, where you pay the entrance fee of LKR 1,000 per person (about $3.30). Make sure your legs are covered while you walk through the temple grounds; sarongs are available if you’re wearing shorts.
The climb is fairly easy and quick. This short hike takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on your fitness. The trail is well marked and easy to follow: you just climb the steps. Only the last part is a little trickier and involves a bit of scrambling over boulders, but nothing too hard.
A small effort for the reward waiting at the top: a panoramic view over the whole Cultural Triangle and Lion Rock!
The summit of Pidurangala is a large, flat plateau that you can easily walk around to enjoy the view in every direction. We recommend bringing binoculars to make the most of it.
You won’t be alone up there: the rock is also a playground for toque macaques, a monkey species found only in Sri Lanka. Used to tourists, they’re not afraid to come close. These little tricksters tried to steal our fanny pack, with our phones and all our money inside, so keep an eye on your things!
Practical information:
💶 Price: LKR 1,000 per person (about $3.30)
🕗 Opening hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
⏳ Time needed: 2 to 3 hours, depending on your pace and how long you want to enjoy the view at the top
When to climb Pidurangala Rock
The two best times are sunrise and sunset.
The sun rises around 6 a.m. and the rock opens at 5 a.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to reach the top for sunrise. Bring a flashlight, as it’s pitch dark!
We went for the second option, sunset. We started the climb at 5 p.m. to be at the top before 6 p.m., when the sun sets. And it was so worth it! At that time of day, the sky turns orange and the atmosphere is really peaceful.
Sunset does draw a crowd, though, so the climb may take longer than expected if several groups are heading to the top at the same time.
How to get to Pidurangala
Pidurangala is about 1.2 miles (2 km) north of the Lion Rock entrance.
If you’re staying in Sigiriya, you can walk or take a tuk-tuk to the rock (especially if you’re staying at the same hotel as us, just a short walk from Pidurangala!).
If you’re staying in Dambulla, you can take the bus between Dambulla and Sigiriya, or a tuk-tuk (about 30 minutes).
Sigiriya or Pidurangala: Which one should you climb?
Lots of travelers wonder which rock to climb when they visit Sigiriya. We did both, so here’s our take.
If you’re mostly after beautiful scenery and nature, Pidurangala is for you. Lion Rock is stunning, but its main drawback is that once you’re on top of it, you can’t see it anymore! Honestly, the view from the summit is less spectacular. From Pidurangala, on the other hand, you can see Lion Rock towering over the lush jungle of the Cultural Triangle.
Price is another factor. Entry to Lion Rock costs around $35 for foreign visitors, well above most prices in Sri Lanka. Next to that, Pidurangala’s few dollars are much easier to swallow.
That said, Sigiriya’s main draw is its rich history, which you can sense in what’s left of the fortress, in the giant lion’s paws guarding the entrance and in the famous Sigiriya frescoes of the “Sigiriya maidens.” A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this palace perched about 650 feet (200 m) up is really worth the visit.
If you can, we recommend doing both (you can even do them on the same day: Sigiriya early in the morning, then Pidurangala in the late afternoon). But if you really have to choose, we’d go with Pidurangala, the place that left the biggest impression on us!
To plan the rest of your stay, read our 3-day guide to Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle.
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