Ella Rock Hike Sri Lanka - Independent hiking guide

Ella Rock Hike Sri Lanka - Independent hiking guide

An independent leader for the Ella Rock Hike in Ella, Sri Lanka. Enjoy one of the best views of Sri Lanka's mountains from the viewpoint on Ella Rock, just a short distance from Ella Town.

once a picturesque mountain town, embedded between green peaks and gentle hills lined with tea, Ella Town is far from the relaxed, hidden gem that was once. While a piece of the relaxed mountain atmosphere lives on, commercialization and mass tourism seem to have a firm grip.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this place is magical. But if it was nature they were longing for, then don't worry, I covered it. The Ella Rock hike is one of the best hikes from the city and offers an excellent view of the Baddula valleys and the srilankische Hochland.

Since it can be a little confusing to find the way, I wrote this guide to help travelers and adventurers without leaving guides to Ella Rock. Enjoy!

Where is Ella Rock?

Ella Rock is high up on the hills, only 2.5 kilometers above Ella Town. The proximity to the city makes it a perfect hike for those who stay in Ella.

In order to reach the Ella Rock viewpoint, you have to navigate through narrow streets, down a railway and drive past rural villages. It is certainly difficult to find the way to Ella Rock without a guide or other navigation agents. So if you have already got lost, you don't feel too bad.

That's why I added a detailed hiking guide and an Ella rock card below so that they don't get lost.

Ella Rock GPX FI and hiking data

Below is a GPX file that I generated with my Garmin watch. She follows the route from the heart of the city of Ella to the Ella Rock viewpoint and a little further down the pine forest to the second viewpoint. You can download the GPX file below via the link.

gpx file: download

go to India? Do not miss this epic 1-month India tour schedule

The Ella Rock Hike: Independent hiking guide

Hiking route and back
Duration: 3-4 hours back and forth
Höhe: 600 meters of altitude (1360 m AMSL at Ella Rock)
Medium

okay, the truth is that there is not a single hiking route to Ella Rock from Ella Town. There are a number of paths and paths to reach the forest path below the viewpoint. For the purpose of this blog I will sketch the way I took.

Overall, the hike is not too demanding, but the last piece is pretty steep. Apart from that, if you have a general fitness level, you will not have a problem.

leave Ella and walk along the railway rails

Based on Ella Town, her first waypoint is the train station. Depending on where you stay in Ella, this may be around the corner - or you prefer to grab a rickshaw.

Turn off the Ella train station and walk along the tracks (towards the south).
Alt = “Railway lines near Ella Sri Lanka”>
As you probably already know, the railway tracks in Sri Lanka are multifunctional in the sense that they serve as a conventional railway tracks as well as as a strong hiking routes for animals and people.

alt = “
Alt = “Portrait of a woman with tea on her head in Ella, Sri Lanka”>

You have to follow these tracks about 1.5 km (30 minutes) before you arrive at Kithalella station. On the way you will probably meet dealers on the edge of the route who will be happy to sell you fresh fruit or snacks and usually stay near the railway bridge in front of Kithalella.

continue past the Kithalella train station and follow the main path around a wide curve for about 700 m. Look for a leaked hiking trail on the left. (6 ° 51’46.7 ″ N 81 ° 02’35.2 ″ e).

Hike through Highland Villages

Although the beginning of this section can be easily overlooked, you should not have a problem if you enter the GPS coordinates above. I assume that most people who don't find their way around at this point.

Immediately after you turned to this hiking trail, you will see a picturesque river and a small waterfall known as "Little Ravana Falls". Cross the bridge and follow the leaked tracks to your right.
Alt = “River near Ella Sri Lanka”>
Follow the same path along the edge of a tea plantation and to picturesque rural villages. Finding the way here is a bit difficult again, but if you get lost and land in someone's living room, you are kindly brought back on the right track.
Alt = "Portrait of a boy with a slingshot in Ella, Sri Lanka">
Admittedly, I got a little bit here and made a longer loop back to one point down on the railroad on the way back. To avoid the same mistake, my best advice is to follow the plantation until you reach a low, yellow house. Bend left from here and go up the hill, holding on the right at the fork (not the stone levels). Then drive past the outer toilet and follow the same way to the tree line.

Climb in the forest to the Ella Rock

I agree, finding the starting point was an adventure in itself, but now it's time for the actual hike. This section of the hike is easy to navigate because the path leaves and leads through the trees to Ella Rock.

It is steep in sections, which requires a bit of leg pump, but there is no technical climbing.

After you have climbed about 500 meters through the beautiful highland forest and have passed some picturesque views on the way, you can reach Ella Rock.

You will find that a business is set up here that houses tired and hungry tourists. Go past the stand and see the Ella Rock viewpoint to your left.

View from Ella-Felsen

The view of Ella Rock is quite spectacular and certainly one of the best in the area. Below I inserted some pictures of the viewpoint Ella Rock so that they know what to expect.

alt = “Ella Rock Viewpoint hike”>
Alt = “Ella Rock Viewpoint Hike”>

Where to spend the night in Ella

It is no secret that Ella Town has grown considerably in the past half decade. However, most of the overnight stays are still relatively central. Therefore, you don't have to worry too much about the location. Below I listed some of the best accommodations in Ella to help you plan your trip.

My Ella Accommodation: Hangover Hostelsdieser Play sounds like a party hostel, but is more of a relaxed backpacker atmosphere with roof terrace and good view. One of the top places in Ella on Hostelworld and also one of the cheapest.

Middle-class guest house: Pearl View Guesthouse-spacious rooms with a private terrace over the Ella tea plantations and the highland hills? This place has everything. With a booking price of less than $ 20 per night, this is the place where I would have liked to stay. High-end: Ekho Ella3.8 km from the Nine Arch Bridge and just 1.5 km from Ella Rock, Ekho is the perfect basis if you want to spend a little more money. This private oasis is high on a green hill and offers a breathtaking view. It has a heated whirlpool and a historical breakfast.

More travel guides and blogs

I hope that you liked this travel guide to complete the Ella rock hike independently and without a guide. If you are looking for more inspiration for your trip to Sri Lanka, be sure to take a look at some of my other blogs and articles below.

My camera and photo equipment

• Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
• drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
• landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
• all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
• Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
• landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
• Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip

A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.

If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.
Alt = “Ella Rock Hike Sri Lanka Independent hiking guide”>

on Pinterest?

Why don't you save this guide for Ella Rock Hike for later? If you follow WE Seek Travel on Pinterest, stay up to date with all the new travel guides and blogs.

pin it follow me

.