Walks and rides
Here’s our little collection of routes for walks and rides you can take on your own.
For any along Coconut Ridge please ask our guys for a ticket in advance (these are LKR 500 per person (approx. USD 2.50)
The instructions (we think!) are accurate but if you have any trouble, Google Maps is fairly reliable and you probably won’t ever be too far from a Tuk Tuk.
Villages and fairways
About an hour - not too tough
This walk takes you through our nearest village and into the Victoria Golf Estate. It’s an anomaly really in Sri Lanka (though a beautiful one) but a nice place to visit and maybe stop for a drink at the club.
Head down and out the drive and after the little shop bear up the concrete road to the right (not the sharper right turn).
At the junction, when the road becomes tarmac, turn left.
At the T turn left and then take the next right turn (not too much further) up a concrete road towards a small church.
Pass the church on your left (so bearing right) and head up through the gate (if a security guard asks, say you are “going to the clubhouse”.
When the road splits, keep left.
At the T turn left and down to the club. Stop for a drink! Or turn right to head back to Ruk.
At the bottom turn right at T and up the long straight road and out of the gate.
Take the second right (at the bus stop) and at the bottom of the hill turn right (should be signed) for Rukgala.
Keep straight (where tarmac road bears right) and follow the road back to Rukgala - passing the shop on your left.
Coconut Ridge Walk
1.5-2 hours (if done in full) - bit tough in parts!
This walk mirrors our guided Sunset Walk on Coconut Ridge but instructions below if you prefer to do it on your own at any time.
You will need to ask the guys for a ticket for the estate in advance.
Head down and out the drive and after after the little shop bear up to the right (not the sharper right turn).
At the first junction keep straight and at the second bear left and up the hill.
See the bus stop in front of you and turn left. Very quickly then turning right, through the gate, and into the coconut estate.
Follow the track up and round to the right.
For the viewpoint take the right at the first ‘fork’, and keep heading right to the top.
Follow your steps back to Rukgala!
Coconut Ridge and Village Ride
2-3 hours - a medium to tough ride!
A longer route and so probably best done on a bike.
Again, please ask the guys in advance for a ticket for the coconut estate.
1-5. Steps as per the walk.
6. If at the viewpoint, head back down and u-turn back onto the track. If skipping the viewpoint, just keep straight on the lower level.
7. At the T, follow the track down and left.
8. Stay on the top (left) side when the track splits.
9. At the (sort of) cross-roads keep going straight.
10. At the split bear down and right.
11. Follow the winding estate road all the way down (some sharp turns and always take the low option).
12. Reach the road and turn right before taking the first left (even though sign to Ruk may say go straight!).
13. Follow the tarmac road all the way to the T and take the left for Rukgala.
14. Turn right at the bottom (T-junction) and follow the road all the way straight.
15. Go straight onto the concrete road where the tarmac road bears right.
16. Pass the little shop on your left and keep going straight back to Ruk.