Fort Frederick, Trincomalee: Ramparts, Deer and a Clifftop Temple
Fort Frederick guards the neck of the peninsula in Trincomalee, a walled colonial fort begun by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch and British. Inside its gates, herds of spotted deer wander freely, and a road winds up through the trees to the clifftop Koneswaram temple and Swami Rock.
Inside the fort
The old ramparts, gateways and shady lanes are still in use, and the tame spotted deer are a highlight. The walk or drive up leads to sweeping views over the harbour and the blue bays.
Koneswaram and Swami Rock
At the top, the colourful Koneswaram Kovil perches on the cliff edge above Lover’s Leap, one of the most dramatic temple settings in the country, with the sea far below.
Getting there
The fort entrance is on the edge of Trincomalee town, a short ride from the beaches at Uppuveli and Nilaveli.
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