St. Clairs Falls

St Clair's Falls is one of the best-known waterfalls in Sri Lanka's tea country. It is often called the "Little Niagara of Sri Lanka" because of its width. The falls take their name from the St Clair's tea estate around them and are formed by the Kotmale Oya, a tributary of the Mahaweli, the island's longest river.

What you see

There are two falls side by side: the larger Maha Ella and the smaller Kuda Ella. Water pours over rocky ledges into a pool below, framed by neat rows of tea. The scale changes a lot with the season and with water use upstream: the Upper Kotmale hydropower project has reduced the flow at several waterfalls in the area, including this one, so at some times of year it is much thinner than in older photos.

Viewpoints

The main viewpoint is beside the Hatton to Talawakele road, around 500 metres from the falls, with a tea shop and snacks nearby. Some visitors walk down closer through the estate; ask locally which paths are open, and take care on wet ground.

How long it takes

Twenty to thirty minutes at the roadside; an hour or more if you walk down.

When to go

The falls are fullest during and after the monsoon rains. Morning light and clearer skies are best for photos.

Getting there

St Clair's is a few kilometres from Talawakele, about 20 to 30 minutes' drive from Hatton and around an hour from Nuwara Eliya. It is an easy stop on the scenic road between Kandy or Hatton and Nuwara Eliya.

Practical tips

• Park safely; the road is narrow and busy.
• Bring a rain jacket in the wet months.
• The nearby St Clair's tea centre makes a good tea stop.

Combine it with Devon Falls nearby, or a climb of Adam's Peak. See things to do around Hatton and Hatton hotels.