In the misty highlands of Sri Lanka, where tea plantations roll down mountainsides in striking patterns – geometric and wild at heart, an epic walking trail awaits alongside a good dose of comfort: The Pekoe Trail. The Trail Less Travelled Named for the grade of tea leaf traditionally harvested here, this 300-km long trail carves through the ancient royal city of Kandy to the colonial, cloud covered hills of Nuwara Eliya – stitched together from the paths that were originally created to transport leaves by bullock cart during the British colonial times. The beauty of The Pekoe Trail isn’t just in the scenery—it’s in the everyday life in the hills: the centuries-old practice of tea pickers with baskets strapped to their heads plucking the bud with precision, the roadside stalls where wade sizzle in oil next to kettles of freshly brewed tea, the impromptu cricket match on a quiet street where you spot the fire for the country’s beloved sport, and more. Today, these paths have been thoughtfully connected in 22 stages that wind through tea estates, reservoirs, sleepy villages, and forest trails. Unlike the untamed beaches of the south or the monument-hopping urgency of the Cultural Triangle, this corner of Sri Lanka demands a slower pace. The trails range from easy to moderately strenuous, at low elevation and open through the year, making this hike accessible even to families with young kids. Luxury in the Leaves For those worried about accommodations or dragging hefty backpacks, Sri Lanka’s homegrown hospitality group, Teardrop Hotels has three bungalows along six stages of the trail. Camellia Hills, Goatfell, and Nine Skies – each perched strategically on hilltops overlooking rolling hills– provide elegant bases from which one can easily access and explore stages 7, 8, 16, 17, 21 and 22 of the trails. Nestled in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, Camellia Hills is a stylish 5-bedroom tea bungalow enveloped by breathtaking tea plantations and the mirror-still Castlereagh Reservoir. While Goatfell, a short 2 hour drive away with just 4 bedrooms, gives panoramic views of the island’s iconic tea plantations. Nine Skies, set on Demodara Estate is a short 15 minutes’ drive to Ella Town, perfect for exploring the outdoors. After a day of hiking through history, guests return to comforting fireplaces, manicured croquet lawns, and that quintessential English tradition – afternoon tea, with a Sri Lankan twist. Day on the Trail From each property, hikers can access various stages of the trail, creating their own custom adventure that matches their ambition. Stages 7 and 8 can be accessed from Camellia Hills in Hatton. Stage 7 begins in the town of Kotagala, on a path that winds past Chrysler’s Farm Tea Factory, a colonial-era tea factory built in 1870, and the Singamalai Lake, whose waters supply the surrounding communities while Stage 8 starts in Norwood, the gateway to the Bogowantalawa Valley which is also known as the ‘Golden Valley of Tea’. Here, the landscape unfolds like the ones we’ve only seen on postcards with tea bushes clinging on the slopes and pastel-hued villages. The route takes hikers up to a ridge between two valleys, considered amongst the most beautiful places in the tea country, which is also home to the sacred summit of Adam’s Peak. At Nine Skies, you can opt between Stage 16, a 7.9km walk from the bungalow to Ella which takes just over 90 minutes (one way) or Stage 17, a longer 13.7km half day walk from Nine Skies to the Hali Ela train station. From Goatfell, you can choose from the final stretches of the trail on Stage, 21 (16.9km) or 22 (12.3km), which are among the more strenuous hikes. Along the trails, you’ll take in stunning scenery, pass by Lover’s Leap and the Pedro Estate Manager’s bungalow. Highlights on the walk also include views of the Uva province and vegetable farm plots, before stopping at Pedro Tea Factory for a guided tour. At every stage, the flora and fauna are fascinating: picture towering trees, langurs hanging from one branch to another, vibrant blue kingfishers kli-ing away, while deer – that stand no taller than tea bushes – give a shy hello, before melting back into the greenery. The hotel’s guides often transform what could be a simple hike into a masterclass on Ceylon tea, colonial history, and the world of local wildlife. The kind that knows when to talk and when to let the scenery do the talking. The learning continues back at the properties with Sri Lankan cooking lessons, and croquet lessons on the bungalow’s lawns. The Slow Revelation In a world that often moves too quickly, The Pekoe Trail offers a chance to slow down. It is an invitation to linger, to notice, to absorb, and to discover that sometimes, the most meaningful journeys are made on foot, with a cold towel and a hot cup of Ceylon’s finest waiting at the finish line.