This is a misty grassland plateau at an elevation of more than 2,000m (6,500 ft), located about 20 km from Nuwara Eliya. It consists of grassland interspersed with patches of forest and some unusual vegetation that grows only at high altitudes. From this plateau  rises Sri Lanka's second and third highest mountains. The plains afford some excellent walks. The silence of the plains is strange and mysterious. The most amazing feature of Horton Plains is World's End where the southern part of the plains comes to a sudden end and drops almost straight down for 700m. Dawn is the ideal time to view this site when the mountains are free of mist and the sun is just rising. The dense forests are home to deer, jackal, the shaggy bear-monkey, sambur and the occasional leopard. The plains are also popular with birdwatchers.