Diyathalawa can be explored through two distinct themes: a varied landscape and a history shaped by military facilities and Fox Hill. Ridges, valleys, ravines, hills and waterways give the area a varied topography. Its historical connections range from the Royal Navy and the Ceylon Defence Force of the time to the traditional explanation of the name Fox Hill. This distinction is useful when planning a trip: landscape features shape the character of the area, while the historical connections include specific institutions and a dated Supercross event. This can help you decide which side of Diyathalawa you want to shape your stay most.

A landscape of many forms

Diyathalawa’s landscape includes ridges, valleys, ravines, hills and waterways. These terms do not describe a single, uniform terrain: ridges and hills refer to elevations, valleys and ravines to depressions, and waterways to another landscape feature. The list therefore offers several ways of seeing the area, rather than describing it through just one distinctive landform. If you look for topographic variety when choosing a destination, you will find a mix of different forms here. This offers a different way to experience Diyathalawa from exploring its military history or Fox Hill.

Two historical functions

Diyathalawa served the Royal Navy as a sanatorium for naval personnel of the East Indies Station. Another historical connection concerns the Ceylon Defence Force of the time: a military training depot was established in Diyathalawa for many of its volunteer units. These two connections represent different functions: the sanatorium served naval personnel, while the depot trained volunteer units. Together, they give the area’s history more definition than a broad classification under the heading of military history. If you are interested in this history, you can consider the different institutions and their respective roles separately.

Fox Hill: the story behind the name and Supercross

According to tradition, the hill Fox Hill was named after a visit by the crew of HMS FOX in 1913. Boer prisoners of war stationed in Diyathalawa helped place white granite on the hill in the shape of a fox, along with the ship’s name, HMS FOX, and the year 1913. The story therefore includes a specific motif, an inscription and a date; at the same time, it remains a traditional explanation of the name’s origin.

The Fox Hill Supercross track is separate from this story behind the name. The Sri Lanka Military Academy built and maintains the track, which is located next to Fox Hill. On April 21, 2018, Fox Hill Supercross was held for the 26th consecutive time at the Diyatalawa Fox Hill circuit. This date refers to the 2018 event and says nothing about later event dates. If you are planning a trip for a possible Supercross event, check the specific dates rather than assuming a future date based on the historical event.

Choose your stay based on your interests

For a trip related to Supercross, the date matters; the event held on April 21, 2018, confirms a date when it took place, not the date of a future stay. If landscape and history are what interest you most, you can consider Diyathalawa as a destination independently of any individual racing event.

Discover more destinations

Mahakalugolla, Badulla, Idalgashinna, Monaragala, Ettampitiya, Bulatkohupitiya, Rambukkana, Wellawaya

For the main travel overview: Uva Province.