Ritigala Mountain, at 766 m (2,513 ft) above sea level, is the highest point in Sri Lanka's north-central dry plains. The mountain range is about three miles long and two miles wide at its widest point, and it is covered in the dense jungle that is home to wild elephants, leopards, and bears. It serves as a watershed for the Malwatu Oya, which feeds the Nachaduwa tank, and the Kalueba Ela, which feeds Huruluwewa. To preserve its pristine environment, the Ritigala Mountain has been designated as a Strict Natural Reserve.

The cloud cover and mist that cover Ritigala mountain for the majority of the year have resulted in a flora that is much more common in the wet zone's central hills than in the dry plains: the upper part of the mountain is well known for its flora, some of which are rare; it also has a range of wild orchids.

Ritigala is 12 km from Habarana and can be reached via the Habarana-Anuradhapura Road. Another 5 kilometers on a graveled but motorable road leads to the mountain's base.