Towering above the surrounding landscape, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is no ordinary heritage site. Here are some tips on how to climb up to the summit of this iconic palace among the clouds.
Timing the Ascent
Those who are visiting the Sigiriya Rock Fortress for the first time must try to climb and descend from the summit before noon. The morning hours make the climb up a less strenuous experience due to the lack of large crowds and cooler temperatures.
The Challenge
There are 1200 steps that lead visitors up to the top of Sigiriya Rock and these steps can be divided into 3 phases. While there are sections where the stairs are steep and the pathways narrow, there are resting spots in between such as the Mirror Wall section and the Lion Paw entrance area. It is crucial to relax and sit for a while in these spacious open areas before climbing to the top.
Phase I and II
The first phase consists of the climb up from the ground-level gardens to the terraces and platforms in the middle section of the rock. It is necessary to stretch your hamstrings and quads before tackling these wide stairs as the steps get narrower as you reach the top. This next section is where the winding metal staircase leads up to the iconic Sigiriya frescoes, which are contained inside caves.
Phase III
The steep steps leading up to the Sky Palace are also challenging mainly due to the heavy winds and the height of the stairs. Truly Sri Lanka and other travel blogs list this area and the Lion Gate among the top places to visit in Sri Lanka so the slight discomfort is worth it.
Meta Description
Sigiriya Rock is the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, and hiking up this rock can be a great adventure.
