Things to see and do Ella

These falls, located 6 km south of Ella, on the main road between Ella and Wellawaya, are 25 meters high. Impressive and very popular, the source of the falls is the Bandarawala Hill Oya reservoir, the water then flows into the Kirindi Oya reservoir. The site is quite steep, swimming is forbidden and the police makes regular rounds to remove offenders from the natural pools. A Canadian tourist died in 2016 following a fatal fall on the slippery rocks.

Little Adam's Peak, which refers to the famous Adam's Peak, is a hill that dominates the area (1,141m). It is about an hour's walk to the top of the hill from the road that starts at the intersection with Passara-Namunukula Road, about 2 km from Ella. The view is splendid. The hike is easy except at the end where there are some steep stairs to the top. The trail passes through small villages, then gets lost in a forest of eucalyptus and pine trees before returning to a tea plantation.

This viaduct, which is supported by nine massive arches, is designed for train traffic. It is located at Gotuwala, between Ella and Demodara stations. It was built in 1921, during the British colonial period and is 91.5 m long, 7.5 m wide and 24 m high. A real postcard of Sri Lanka, tourists flock to admire it and, if possible, to see a train passing by... The access from the east is relatively easy, except for the last few meters with a rather steep descent not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

Ella Rock is opposite Little Adam's Peak and is one of the classic hikes in the area. The start is accessible to all, but the end of the route becomes arduous, even impassable in the rainy season. On the other hand, the attacks of leeches in wet season are not to be neglected. The path is quite complicated so it is better to get a map from your hotel before setting off. Bring enough water and snacks. At the start, take the railway line to the metal bridge, then take the path on the left.

Located 2 km south of Ella, this cave is said to have been used by King Ravana to hide Princess Sita, the wife of Rama. The climb is not easy, you have to climb about 650 uneven steps, some of them quite high, to reach this small cave. The site is not exceptional in itself, it was even seriously damaged by the archaeological service of Sri Lanka which dug excavations there. A human skull dating back to 20,000 BC was found there. The site will however delight fans of the Ramayana, the famous Hindu epic.