Ella is a small hill town at about 1,000 metres, in a gap in the mountains with views down to the southern plains. Tea estates, forested hills and waterfalls surround it, and easy hikes, the Nine Arches Bridge and the hill country railway have made it one of the most popular stops in Sri Lanka. The town is about 200 km from Colombo and about 136 km from Kandy by road.
Top things to do in Ella
Nine Arches Bridge
This stone viaduct, about 30 metres high, was built in the early 20th century and carries the railway between Ella and Demodara through tea country. Walk along the track or through the tea estates and time your visit with a train.
Little Adam's Peak
An easy walk of about an hour through tea fields leads to the top, with views over the valley and Ella Rock. It is popular at sunrise.
Ella Rock
A longer hike of three to four hours return, partly along the railway line and through forest, to a viewpoint high above the town. Start early and go with a guide if unsure of the route.
Ravana Falls
One of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, beside the road about 6 km below Ella, linked in legend to King Ravana of the Ramayana.
Ravana Cave
A cave above the Ella to Wellawaya road, reached by steep steps, associated with the Ramayana story of Sita's captivity.
Diyaluma Falls
At about 220 metres, Diyaluma is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. A trek to the upper falls leads to natural pools at the top.
The Demodara Loop
Near Demodara, the railway spirals around a hill and passes under itself through a tunnel, a feat of colonial engineering.
Zip lining
A zip line near Ella runs over the tea estates and valley, one of the longest in the country.
Lipton's Seat
Near Haputale, this viewpoint is named after Sir Thomas Lipton, the tea merchant, who is said to have surveyed his estates from here. Go early for clear views.
Dunhinda Falls and Dowa temple
Dunhinda, near Badulla, is a 64-metre waterfall also called Bridal Falls. The Dowa rock temple, between Ella and Bandarawela, has an unfinished Buddha statue carved into the rock face.
Best time to go
Ella can be visited all year. The weather is usually best from about January to March; showers are common in the afternoons, especially from about October to December.
How long to spend
Two or three days are enough for Little Adam's Peak, Ella Rock, the Nine Arches Bridge and a waterfall. Add a day for Lipton's Seat or Diyaluma.
Getting there and around
As of October 2026, trains run between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla, but not between Kandy and Nanu Oya, where the line is closed for repairs after Cyclone Ditwah. Most sights near Ella are reached on foot or by tuk tuk.
Plan your visit
Ella is busy in peak season, so book ahead. For history, background and how to get there, see the Ella travel guide, and for accommodation see hotels in Ella.
Related posts
Ella Rock Hike
Ella Rock is the big ridge facing Ella town across the valley. The hike to the top takes three to four hours return, partly along the railway and through forest, to a viewpoint over the hills.
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Little Adam's Peak
Little Adam's Peak is the easiest hike in Ella, a walk of about an hour through tea fields to a rounded summit. It is popular at sunrise for views over the valley and Ella Rock.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Diyaluma Falls
Diyaluma Falls drops about 220 metres from the edge of the Koslanda plateau, making it the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is close to the main road between Haputale and Wellawaya.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Upper Diyaluma Trek
Trek to the top of Diyaluma Falls, near Koslanda, to swim in natural rock pools above a drop of about 220 metres. Go with a guide and avoid the pools after heavy rain.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Ravana Cave
Ravana Cave is a cave in the cliffs near Ella, reached by steep steps from the road towards Wellawaya. It is linked to the Ramayana story of Sita's captivity.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Nine Arches Bridge & Demodara Rail Hike
The Nine Arches Bridge is a stone railway viaduct between Ella and Demodara, set among tea estates. Walk along the track or through the hills and time your visit with a train; services run between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
The Demodara Loop
At Demodara, between Ella and Badulla, the railway spirals around a hill and passes under itself through a tunnel. It is one of the most unusual pieces of railway engineering in Sri Lanka.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Dhowa Rock Temple and Cave
Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya is a cave temple beside the road between Ella and Bandarawela. An unfinished standing Buddha is carved into the rock face, and the cave has old paintings.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Dunhinda Falls
Dunhinda Falls, on the Badulu Oya north of Badulla, drops about 64 metres in a cloud of spray, which gives it the name Bridal Falls. A forest path of about 1 km leads to the viewpoint.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Lipton’s Seat
Lipton's Seat is a viewpoint above the Dambatenne tea estate near Haputale, named after the tea merchant Sir Thomas Lipton. Go early in the morning for clear views over the hills.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Zip lining in Ella
Fly over tea estates and forest on a zip line near Little Adam's Peak in Ella. The lines run high above the valley, with safety briefings and equipment provided.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Ravana Falls
Ravana Falls tumbles over several tiers of rock beside the road from Ella down to Wellawaya. It is one of the widest falls in the country and linked in legend to King Ravana.
Image Credit: ShutterStock