Rising at dawn is the best way to see this region of Sri Lanka burst into life, as the rising sun spills across lush and sweeping amphitheaters of green, and views stretch to the horizon, undimmed by early mists and the clouds that roll in mid-morning, obscuring famous vistas. On the southern slopes of the Hill Country, the towns of Haputale, Bandarawela, and Ella are surrounded by a blanket of vast, eye-pleasing tea estates, where swirls of planted tea bushes are stamped onto the landscape like colossal green fingerprints. It’s truly delightful hiking territory, crisscrossed by trails that serve up some of Sri Lanka’s best views.