Each year, based on nominations from its global network of contributors, Time compiles a list of 100 remarkable destinations and thrilling experiences travellers need to know about.
Given its stunning beauty, it comes as no surprise that Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail has earned a place on the magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025 list.
Spanning 323 kilometres through the central highlands, this long distance hiking path immerses adventurers in the island’s tea growing history and scenic beauty.
Starting from the misty Hanthana Mountain Range near Kandy, the famed trail winds through tea plantations, charming villages, sanctuaries and forests before reaching Nuwara Eliya, the island’s tea capital. The trail connects colonial era roads and railway tracks originally built by the British to transport tea.
Audrey Phoon, writing for Time, describes the trail as a chance for hikers to experience an intimate peek into Sri Lanka’s landscape and tea entwined history.
The trail consists of 22 stages, each taking three to six hours to complete, making it accessible to casual trekkers and seasoned hikers alike. Along the way, trekkers can explore famous landmarks like the Horton Plains National Park and Nine Arch Bridge, while experiencing the warmth and hospitality of local communities.
This interconnecting trail promotes sustainable travel, supports rural communities, and offers a holistic experience of adventure, nature and cultural immersion.
