The 3 Sigiriya Hikes: Lion Rock, Pidurangala & Ritigala

The main hike in Sigiriya is the Lion Rock, but the view of this iconic 200-meter-tall UNESCO World Heritage Site fortress can be seen from the Pidurangala Rock, a view especially stunning at sunrise. Many tourists are satisfied with the view from Pidurangala and choose not to enter Lion Rock because of the entrance fee of $35 for foreigners. The entrance fee for Pidurangala of only $3.

I hike both of them and a third one called Ritigala, which is a mysterous monastery forgotten in the forest-covered mountains 45 km out of town.

In this post, you’ll learn how to hike all three in one day, what each hike is like, and whether they’re worth the effort and the entrance fees. Whether you’re short on time or just love a challenge, this is the ultimate Sigiriya Hikes guide.

Suggested Itinerary: Hike Them All in One day

At the first glance, it may seem challenging — and it can be if you are out of shape — but hiking all three Sigirya hikes typically takes around 3-4 hours of active hiking. The rest of the time you’ll be soaking in the views, sitting around, playing with monkeys, eating an ice cream and enjoying the natural beauty and the traces of past time. In terms of effort, it’s comparable to exploring a new city on foot as a tourist. But in full honesty there’s a small section on one of the hikes where you need to climb on rocks (I’ve seen children do it, so shouldn’t be a big deal if you are in decent shape).

Warning: If you’re traveling around before or after sunset, be careful on the roads—wild elephants come out of the forest after dark.

Pidurangala Rock Hike – View of Lion Rock

Pidurangala is the go-to sunrise hike in Sigiriya, you’ll get great views of Lion Rock while enjoying the sunrise. It’s cheaper, a bit quieter and slightly more rugged than Lion Rock. If you’re planning to climb both, start with Pidurangala—seeing Lion Rock from a distance first makes the experience of Lion rock more rewarding. It takes 20–40 minutes to hike one-way and the last section requires climbing over rocks. Pidurangala is busy with tourists and it has become the go-to place for some tourists because the price of Lion Rock is quite high.

• Entrance fee: 1000 LKR (~$3 USD) for foreigners
• Arrive: By 5:15AM to catch the sunrise at the top
• Duration: 20–40 minute one-way climb depending on your fitness. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours in total.
• Level: Easy with some climbing on the rocks

Tip: Stay in accommodation near Pidurangala, as traveling in the dark isn’t ideal due to the risk of elephants. I stayed 30 minutes away and had to get up at 4:15 AM to drive my tuk-tuk to Pidurangala—luckily, no elephants that time.

Ritigala Hike – Forest Ruins & Solitude

Ritigala is an ancient Buddhist monastery tucked deep into the forest and it’s 45 km away from Sigiriya. Ritigala is tied to ancient Buddhist legends. It’s believed that Hanuman, the monkey god, dropped part of a Himalayan mountain here while flying to save Lord Rama’s brother. According to the guide, this myth explains the presence of rare herbs in Ritigala, which is not found anywhere else in Sri Lanka.

It’s peaceful to walk here along the shaded forest trails, while the birds chirp, the guide gently brings life to the ruins—what appear to be mere stone blocks were once meditation platforms, a hospital, and even a library.

This place needs a guide because without one, Ritigala might just seem like a pile of old stones. The guides are available at the entrance and are well worth the fee, especially if you are in a group.

• Entrance fee: 2000 LKR (~$6 USD) for foreigners
• Location: It’s roughly 45 km from Sirigiya and takes about 1.5 hours with a tuk-tuk one way
• Arrive: After visiting Pidurangala and finishing your breakfast
• Duration: Expect to spend around 1-2 hours here
• Level: Easy— a flat path with stairs where it gets steep
• Worth visiting: Yes, but only with a guide

Warning: Some parts of the roads to Ritigala are in poor condition—a tuk-tuk can handle it, but if you are driving yourself be extra careful.

Sigiriya Lion Rock Hike – The Reason to Visit Sigiriya

Lion Rock has a dark history, and like many fortresses, it was built due to fear. During the 5th century, King Kashyapa overthrew and murdered his father and feared for revenge from his half-brother Moggallana.

Instead of building a palace in the capital, he decided to tighten his security and build a fortress on a 200-meter tall rock column. On the rock column he built elaborate water gardens, a lion-shaped gateway, and had artists decorate the caves with paintings. After I saw the paintings, I think the King was a bit of a playboy—or maybe he was the pioneer behind that magazine, just a couple of centuries too early.

After his death, the site became a monastery. A nice contrast to the history of violence and the cave paintings.

What you will see during your visit are gardens, cave paintings, a museum, fortress ruins at the summit and amazing views.

• Entrance fee: $35 USD for foreigners (about 100x more than locals pay)
• Arrive: Sunrise option: Start the hike around 5:30 AM / Sunset option: Arrive at the ticket gate around 4:00 PM (last entry is at 5:00 PM)
• Duration: 30–60 minute one-way climb depending on your fitness and the crowd. I spent in total about 3.5 hours climbing, enjoying the view, taking some photos, visiting the museum etc.
• Level: Lion Rock is moderately easy for most people with average fitness. The trail is well-marked with steps and railings, though the top section is steep and a bit exposed. Just go slow and wear proper shoes.

Aside from the fortress, there are a plenty of monkeys running around, some with bowl haircuts and ice cream, and others lacking both.

How to Get to Sigiriya

A bus from Colombo or Negombo takes about 5–6 hours. Just go to the bus station and hop on. A minivan or car takes only 2–3 hours, and you can check options on 12Go.asia. There’s also the option of renting your own tuk-tuk.

Personally, I rented one and drove myself. Considering getting a tuk-tuk too? Read my Sri Lanka Tuk Tuk Guide.

Final Thoughts on Sigiriya Hikes

Whether you’re after sunrise views, ancient ruins or epic climbs, Sigirya has them all. Most sites are in ruins, but a good guide can bring these ruins back to life.

Lion Rock being the crown jewel for history and prestige (the key reason to visit Sigiriya), Pidurangala for budget views and sunrise photos, and the least famous, Ritigala, for peaceful forest strolls through ancient, mysterious ruins.

With smart planning, you can do all three in a day—and each offers a different piece of Sri Lanka’s story.

Not planning to visit Lion Rock, skip Sigiriya altogether, because Ritigala alone isn’t worth the trip and sunrise hikes with great views can be found in many other places.

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