The Central Highlands continues to recover remarkably well thanks to the resilience of its people. Although most of The Pekoe Trail’s Stages are now hikeable, some runs are still undergoing detailed assessments before they can be used.
Our dedicated teams, Volunteers and local partners have been working round the clock, traversing each stage across the 300 km trail to gather detailed information on the ground. Every update we release is based on confirmed reports from people present on the trail to ensure the highest level of safety for hikers and get a precise image of what needs to be done to get the whole trail up and running soon.
Currently, 16 out of the 22 stages are open under Yellow and Amber status. A total of 6 areas took heavier damage and will require additional support.
This is now a national recovery effort, and we are asking volunteers, partners, and the hiking community to support both the trail and the communities that live alongside it.
Below is the comprehensive, up-to-date Q&A (Question & Answer), which will continue to be updated.
1. GENERAL SAFETY
Q1. Is The Pekoe Trail safe to hike right now?
Most stages are open under Yellow or Amber status.
See what stages are open for hiking.
Q2. Which stages are affected?
Impacts vary across the highlands. Reports indicate:
- Fallen trees and debris
- Minor or moderate landslides
- Unstable slopes
- Limited access to several trailheads
Volunteer Area Coordinators are actively walking each stage. A full stage by stage status update will be released once all reports are verified.
2. TRAIL STATUS CATEGORIES
Yellow
Trail is open with caution. Expect minor obstructions or slippery conditions.
Amber (Orange)
Trail has significant damage but remains open for experienced, well-prepared hikers. Detours and slower movement are likely.
Red
Trail is closed due to severe damage, unclear information, or active landslide risk.
3. REOPENING PROCESS & EXPECTATIONS
Q3. When will the trail reopen?
All stages are expected to be open for hiking soon, once all verified assessments are in. Exact reopening dates for individual stages will only be announced once safety is fully confirmed. Check our latest update.
Q4. Should travellers reconsider visiting Sri Lanka?
No. Sri Lanka remains open and fully welcoming visitors. Only certain mountain zones were affected. The rest of the island, including the south coast and national parks, is sunny and operating normally.
Please do not cancel your travel plans. Travellers may simply adjust itineraries while highland checks continue.
Q5. If someone planned to hike this week, what should they do?
- Avoid Red-status stages
- Purchase the official trail pass via app or the website
- Check official updates daily
- Expect slower progress
- Do not hike alone
- Inform someone of your route
- Signup for the trail updates on trailwatch.thepekoetrail.org
4. TRANSPORT & ACCESS
Q6. Are access roads open?
Many access roads are already being cleared. Transport services are returning to normal, though some high altitude routes may still experience delays.
5. INFORMATION VERIFICATION
Q7. How is information about The Pekoe Trail being collected?
All decisions are based on verified, first-hand data, gathered through:
- Volunteer Area Coordinators walking all stages
- Estate companies and communities along the trail
- Local authorities
- The Disaster Management Centre
- The Department of Meteorology
No stage is assigned a status without confirmed, on ground assessment.
Stay tuned to the Pekoe Trail Watch
Q8. Can the public contribute information?
Yes . But only with accurate, first-hand updates such as photos, GPS coordinates, or access notes. We do not use unverified or second-hand information.
Contribute here
6. COMMUNITY IMPACT
Q9. Were communities along the trail affected?
Yes. Several communities have been impacted, and some have undergone temporary relocations. We are working with partners and authorities to support them during recovery.
7. WHAT TO EXPECT ONCE THE TRAIL REOPENS
Q10. What conditions should hikers expect?
- Slippery paths
- Fallen branches or debris
- Temporary reroutes
- Slower hiking times
- Reduced transport options in some areas
- Higher caution needed near slopes and waterways
8. WHERE TO FIND OFFICIAL UPDATES
Q11. Where will updates be published?
All verified updates will be available on:
- The official Pekoe Trail website
- The Pekoe Trail official social media channels
- Official public notices issued by TPTO
Only these channels carry information approved by The Pekoe Trail Organization.
9. HOW TO SUPPORT THE TRAIL & COMMUNITIES
Q12. How can volunteers help?
If you wish to support recovery efforts or assist in gathering verified field data, contact us via social media or email us at [email protected].
We will provide access to our custom-built assessment app, developed over a few nights to coordinate data collection, which allows us to map impacts quickly and reopen the trail faster.
Meanwhile, the Pekoe Trail Hikers group on Facebook has initiated a support project to help local families in the area surrounding Stage 4 who had been left isolated by landslides.
Q13. Can people donate?
Yes.
The Pekoe Trail Organization is the official and trusted channel for all trail related donations. Funds will be distributed responsibly through vetted partners supporting affected highland communities. All contributions are managed transparently and directed to where they are needed most.
Q14. Can people drop off physical donations?
Yes.
Physical donations can be dropped off at our Colombo office.
We will ensure they reach the right communities through established partner networks and volunteer teams.
