First Time Hiking Abroad: Real Experience and Tips for Horton Plains 🚶♀️
Recording my 1st overseas hike, 11km conquered at Horton Plains ✔️🚶♀️
Before heading to Horton Plains, I came across numerous posts that were less than encouraging. Many claimed the scenery was mediocre, the trek was long and physically challenging, and the tickets were pricey. These warnings did give me a moment of hesitation, but I decided that the only way to truly know was to experience it firsthand.
Waking up at 3 AM, I navigated through winding mountain roads and arrived just before the park opened at 6 AM. As I entered, the sky began to lighten, and the sun slowly ascended, painting the horizon in a breathtaking array of colors. The sunrise I had missed at Lion Rock, I finally witnessed at Horton Plains 🌅.
The golden rays spread across the vast plain, and as I jogged along the trail, a profound sense of freedom surged within me. Suddenly, a herd of deer appeared, adding an unexpected touch of a safari adventure. 🦌
📍: Horton National Park (Horton Plains National Park)
🚶♀️: Clockwise🔁 Mini World’s End (Little World’s End) —— Greater World’s End (Big World’s End) —— Bakers Fall (Baker’s Falls)
🔍: The entire route spans 11km, with signs along the way indicating difficulty levels (easy, difficult, more difficult…)
🕒: Fast walkers can complete it in 4-5 hours, while I took a leisurely 6 hours.
Around 10 AM, I marveled at a sea of clouds ☁️ enveloping Adam’s Peak, and after 11 AM, a vibrant rainbow 🌈 appeared over Baker’s Falls. The people I met along the way were incredibly friendly, from the Horton staff 🧑💼 who were hiking for exercise to the soldiers 🪖 who greeted us warmly as they passed by.
The landscapes were stunning, with lush forests, serene lakes, tranquil wetlands, majestic mountains, and expansive plains. Each scene felt like a frame from a beautifully crafted film. The environment was pristine, with no trace of litter or cigarette butts throughout the park 👍
In those 6 hours, 📱 there was no signal, no noise, and no distractions. It felt like I was reconnecting with nature and with myself. So, if you ask me, is Horton Plains worth visiting? My answer is a resounding yes.
Everyone’s experience and perception are unique, so don’t just take others’ words for it; go and feel it for yourself.
【🩵 Zhou Zhou’s little tips】
1️⃣ Plastic packaging is prohibited in the park and will be replaced with paper bags. The paper wrapping on water bottles will also be removed.
2️⃣ Although the hike isn’t overly challenging, it is lengthy, and there are no shops along the way. Make sure to bring plenty of water and some snacks in advance.
3️⃣ 📱 There is no signal from the moment you enter the park 📶, allowing you to disconnect from the world for a few hours.
4️⃣ The temperature difference between morning and noon is significant. It can be quite chilly in the early hours, so bring a jacket, and as the sun rises, it can get quite warm.
5️⃣ Pay attention to sun protection, especially after 11 AM when the sun is at its peak.
