Horton Plains
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2,100M · HILL COUNTRY

Horton Plains

A highland plateau of cloud forest and grassland, ending at a sheer 880-metre cliff

OVERVIEW

Horton Plains is a highland plateau national park of grassland and cloud forest, home to endemic species like the sambar deer, and ending abruptly at World's End — a sheer escarpment dropping roughly 880 metres, with views stretching to the south coast on a clear morning.

HISTORY

Named after a former British governor, Horton Plains was declared a national park in 1988, though the area's ecological importance as a highland watershed and habitat for endemic wildlife had been recognized long before that.

THINGS TO DO

  • The roughly 3-4 hour loop hike to World's End and Baker's Falls
  • Wildlife and bird-watching across the plateau's grassland

TRAVEL TIPS

  • Start very early — cloud typically rolls in and obscures the World's End view by mid-morning, often as early as 9-10am
  • It gets genuinely cold before sunrise at this elevation — dress accordingly

WHERE TO STAY

We suggest these as a starting point — we'll confirm the right fit for your budget and dates when we plan your trip.