5 hiking trails around Ella, Sri Lanka
5 hiking trails around Ella, Sri Lanka
Some of the most beautiful landscapes Sri Lanka await you on the hiking trails around Ella in the Hill Country
Many people travel to Sri Lanka because of the beaches - and the country has some of the most beautiful in the world - but it was Sri Lanka's mountains that really inspired our imagination. Carpets from tea plantations and alpine forests appear from the creeping morning fog to reveal some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country (if not the world).
When we arrived in Ella, we couldn't wait to go to the trails and explore the highlands. The city itself is a busy and unattractive thoroughfare that is flanked by irrelevant hotels and loud cafés. However, the surrounding hills are really different, so we spent three days to explore them.
Here we list our favorite hiking trails around Ella so that enthusiastic hikers can step into our footsteps.
Little Adams Peak
Distance: 4.5 km (2.8 miles) Duration: 1 hour
Alt = "Hiking trails around Ella Sri Lanka - Little Adams Peak"Dream timeThe view of the Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s Peak is ideal for a late and cozy walk - if you can avoid the rain showers in the afternoon. Little Adam’s Peak has a slightly similar form (although not by no means as dramatic) as his big brother, Adam’s Peak, and is only a short hike from the city and offers some rewarding views for little effort.
Take the Ella Passara Road out of the city and turn right at the Ella Flower Garden Resort. From here it is well signposted, just follow the path markings. The last 20 minutes are steep, but otherwise it's a simple walk. Part of the path leads you through a local tea plantation that is usually covered with workers.
Ella Rock
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles) Duration: 3-4 hours
Alt = “Hiking trails around Ella Sri Lanka - Ella Rock”Atlas & BootsHiking on Ella Rock is fun, confusing, exhausting and deeply worthwhile
One of the most popular hiking trails around Ella is this moderate half -day hike with exceptionally rewarding views. It is worth breaking up early (at 9 a.m. at the latest) to avoid the heat and rain shower in the afternoon. This is a somewhat more complicated hike with little or no signs along the way. In addition, local advertisers try to mislead hikers to earn a few rupees to make them right again!
Follow our guide to hiking on Ella Rock, which contains detailed directions, a route card and a list of important tips. Take time to enjoy the view on the summit - it is one of the most beautiful in Sri Lanka.
Dambatenne to Liptons seat
Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles) Duration: 4-5 hours
Alt = “Hiking trails around Ella Sri Lanka - Liptons Seat 2 ″Dream timeFrom here, Sir Thomas Lipton once woke up over his growing teime period
At 1,970 m (6.463 ft), the Lipton’s Seat vantage point above the Dambatenne Tea Factory is another excellent viewpoint. The Scottish tea teaistocrat Sir Thomas Lipton woke up from here via his growing teime period.
The signs of the tea factory are easy to follow. The climb should take about 2.5 hours and the descent should take about 1.5 to 2 hours. As with Ella Rock, you should take enough time up to enjoy the view.
It is a bit cumbersome to get there because you have to take a train to Haputale (80/50/25 LKR - 1st/2nd/3rd class) and then either have to take a bus (30 LKR simple ride) or a tuk. Tuk (800-1,000 LKR there and return trip including waiting time) to the Dambatenne tea factory, where you start the hike.
Idalgashinna after haputal
Distance: 8km (5mi) duration: 2 hours
Alt = “Hiking trails around Ella Sri Lanka - Idalgashima 5 ″Atlas & BootsView over the surrounding hills and villages
This is one of the least popular hiking trails around Ella, but offers some of the most outstanding views. We recommend buying a comfortable train ticket from the observation class (1,000 LKR) from Ella train station and taking the train to Idalgashinna (1 hour 20 minutes). From there you hike back to Haputal on the tracks. The view of the surrounding hills, tea plantations and surrounding villages is incomparable.
The area falls dramatically on both sides during the entire hike. At one point you hike on a narrow piece of path with spectacular views that slide away from you on the right and left. It is also very quiet; We saw no other hikers on this route and only a handful of locals.
Alt = “Hiking trails around Ella Sri Lanka - Idalgashima 3 ″Atlas & BootsStart in Idalgashinna and hike back to Haputal to make sure you have time to meet the trains to Ella
It is worth noting that this hike does not work so well conversely. We made the mistake of starting in haputal and had to hurry up to get to Idalgashinna to make the returning train. So make sure that you stay on the train from Ella to Idalgashinna and run back to haputal. If you hike in this direction, you have enough time to meet the returning (often very busy) trains to Ella.
Pattipola after haputal
Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles) Duration: 4-5 hours
Alt = "Hiking trails around Ella Sri Lanka - Pattipola to Haputal"Atlas & BootsIt is a full -day hike along the route from Pattipola to Haputal
A similar option as above is to take the same train to Pattipola (160/90/45 LKR - 1st/2nd/3rd class, 2 hours) and the longer route back to haputal. This will be an all -day hike, so take one of Ella's earlier trains to have enough time. There is 6.40 a.m., which ensures that you miss the heat of the day, or 9:24 a.m. if the stronger sun does not matter.
Alt = "Hiking trails around Ella Sri Lanka - Pattipola"DreamstimesWith 1,898 m (6,225 ft) Pattipola is the highest train station in Sri Lanka
Pattipola is the highest station in Sri Lanka and offers a few wide views on the way. Here, too, it is unlikely that you will meet many other hikers on this route.
Note that on this longer hike you will almost certainly meet trains from both directions along the tracks. You are usually warned, but always listen well and make short processes with the sections without ways along the tracks.
Hiking trails around Ella: the essentials
What: Exploration of the hiking trails around Ella in Sri Lanka's mountains.
Where: We booked our stay quite late and landed on the main street in Ella Dream Cafe. The rooms were pretty and spacious, but also ridiculously loud (a mixture of traffic, tourists and booming music from the adjacent bar). Instead, we recommend Lonely Planet's suggestions for the Ella Flower Garden Resort or the Zion View Ella.
When: The best time to explore the hiking trails around Ella is between December and March when the hilly country is the driest. The low season from April and September to November is a good time for a visit, while the Yala monsoon is brought to the hills from May to August.
Like: If you are planning more hikes in Sri Lanka, it is worth investing in a decent card. Sri Lanka 1: 500,000 + city plans Waterproof travel card is by far the best available card for hiking in Sri Lanka. On one side of the card there are relief shades, point heights and names of mountain ranges and striking peaks.
You can reach Ella by train from Colombo and Kandy (check the timetable here; note that "Ella" is written in the search dropdown "Elle").
Depending on the starting point, various bus lines are available. It is worth noting that we found bus trips in Sri Lanka to be quite stressful, so you may want to take a transfer instead. Your hotel can arrange this, but it is always worth negotiating a discount because they are normally exaggerated (e.g. if 15,000 LKR are specified, ask for 11,000).
Many tourists choose to rent a driver for the entire trip. This costs about $ 45 a day (including the days on which you do not use the driver). We used Ajaa (+94 777 284 178) and Sisi (+94 777 203 083) for shorter transfers and found them friendly and reliable.
Most international flights end up at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Book through Skyscanner at the best prices.
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