HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK, Sri Lanka's highest plateau, is characterised by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, covered in upper montane forest and wet patana grassland at an altitude of 2,100-2,300 metres (6,900-7,500ft). It is a popular tourist destination and is situated 32 kilometres (20mi) from Nuwara Eliya.

Horton Plains was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and because of its biodiversity value, was elevated to a National Park in 1988. The Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, which lies to the west, is contiguous with the Park. The land area covered by Horton Plains is 3,160 hectares (12.2sq mi). Horton Plains contains the most extensive area of cloud forest still existing in Sri Lanka. Horton Plains National Park, along with the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Knuckles Mountain Range is currently on a tentative list of potential World Heritage Sites.

The Park is home to a wide variety of flora (57 species, 29 endemic to Sri Lanka) and 24 species of mammal such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts, there 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds.

The Plains also feature many interesting attractions such as Bakers Falls, Chimney Pool and the famous World's End (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline).

Visitors to the park can follow a 10km loop that incorporates all of the spectacular features, enabling them to enjoy them while adhering to the strict rules for environment protection and nature conservation. The best time to visit is early in the morning as this is when the air is likely to be clearest so that you can enjoy the best of the views. In the afternoons, clouds tend to descend and the area becomes submerged in mist. This is equally enthralling though and provides evidence for the evolution of this forest type.

The Plains are named after Sir Robert Wilmot Horton, who was singularly responsible for the slaying of all of the elephants in the area between 1831 and 1837. Although there is little hope of elephants ever returning, you can at least walk around in comparative safety admiring the many other interesting creatures around and about and of course the stunning views.

Due to poor road conditions at present, the drive to Horton Plains from Tea Trails can be as much as three hours each way.