Experience breathtaking Ella Rock hike
Ella, Sri Lanka • 
Must Do
Must Do
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Jul
18°C – 18°C, cool temperatures with light rain; mostly cloudy skies, low crowds, peak season
18°C – 18°C, cool temperatures with light rain; mostly cloudy skies, low crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Value for money
Medium
Entrance fee, but views and experience are rewarding.
Entrance fee, but views and experience are rewarding.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Breathtaking Views
Couples loved the panoramic vistas. Sunrise hike is highly recommended for an epic experience.
Romantic Hike
Perfect for couples seeking adventure. The challenging hike is worth it for the views.
Amazing Journey
Couples found the diverse trail through tea plantations and forests to be magical.
Guide Scam
Some couples reported issues with fake guides, use offline maps to avoid issues.
Slippery Trails
After rain, paths can be slippery. Couples should wear appropriate footwear for safety.
Strenuous Ascent
The final part is steep. Couples should be prepared for a physically demanding hike.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
BOOK
GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
BOOK
KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
open - open
Tuesday
open - open
Wednesday
open - open
Thursday
open - open
Friday
open - open
Saturday
open - open
Sunday
open - open
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Join a duo on an adventurous hike to Ella Rock.
Travelers embark on a hike to the iconic Ella Rock.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
15-25°C
Mild temperatures with minimal rainfall.
Mild temperatures with minimal rainfall.
Open
Higher demand may lead to limited availability; early booking is recommended.
Higher demand may lead to limited availability; early booking is recommended.
Recommended
December marks the beginning of the peak tourist season with mild temperatures and minimal rainfall, creating ideal hiking conditions. However, increased tourist activity leads to busier trails and higher accommodation prices. It's advisable to book accommodations and plan hikes early to ensure availability.
December marks the beginning of the peak tourist season with mild temperatures and minimal rainfall, creating ideal hiking conditions. However, increased tourist activity leads to busier trails and higher accommodation prices. It's advisable to book accommodations and plan hikes early to ensure availability.
January
LOW
18-18°C
Cool temperatures with light rain; mostly cloudy skies.
Cool temperatures with light rain; mostly cloudy skies.
Open
No significant restrictions; early booking recommended due to peak season.
No significant restrictions; early booking recommended due to peak season.
Recommended
January offers cool temperatures and light rainfall, making it a favorable time for hiking Ella Rock. The trail is accessible, and the weather is generally pleasant. However, being part of the peak tourist season, expect moderately high crowd levels and slightly higher prices. Early morning hikes are recommended to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
January offers cool temperatures and light rainfall, making it a favorable time for hiking Ella Rock. The trail is accessible, and the weather is generally pleasant. However, being part of the peak tourist season, expect moderately high crowd levels and slightly higher prices. Early morning hikes are recommended to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
February
LOW
18-18°C
Mild temperatures with light rain; mostly sunny skies.
Mild temperatures with light rain; mostly sunny skies.
Open
No significant restrictions; early booking recommended due to peak season.
No significant restrictions; early booking recommended due to peak season.
Recommended
February continues to offer favorable hiking conditions with mild temperatures and minimal rainfall. The trail remains accessible, and the weather is generally pleasant. While still part of the peak tourist season, crowd levels are slightly lower than in January, and prices are average. Early morning hikes are advisable to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
February continues to offer favorable hiking conditions with mild temperatures and minimal rainfall. The trail remains accessible, and the weather is generally pleasant. While still part of the peak tourist season, crowd levels are slightly lower than in January, and prices are average. Early morning hikes are advisable to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
March
MEDIUM
19-19°C
Warm temperatures with light rain; mostly sunny skies.
Warm temperatures with light rain; mostly sunny skies.
Open
No significant restrictions; accommodations more readily available.
No significant restrictions; accommodations more readily available.
Recommended
March marks the transition from peak season, offering warm temperatures and minimal rainfall, making it a good time for hiking Ella Rock. The trail is accessible, and the weather is generally pleasant. With average crowd levels and standard prices, it's a favorable time for those seeking a balance between good weather and fewer tourists. Early morning hikes are recommended to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
March marks the transition from peak season, offering warm temperatures and minimal rainfall, making it a good time for hiking Ella Rock. The trail is accessible, and the weather is generally pleasant. With average crowd levels and standard prices, it's a favorable time for those seeking a balance between good weather and fewer tourists. Early morning hikes are recommended to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
How to get there
Train
Recommended
The most scenic way to reach Ella is by train. Trains operate from Colombo Fort Station and Kandy Railway Station to Ella Railway Station.
Walking
Recommended
From Ella Railway Station, hikers walk south along the railway tracks for about 1.5 kilometers to reach the trailhead. Walking is also possible from Ella town.
Bus
Buses connect Ella with various parts of Sri Lanka. Direct buses operate from Colombo's Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Ella. From Kandy, there are direct buses to Kataragama that pass through Ella.
Car
Private cars can be hired to reach Ella. From Colombo, the journey takes approximately 5-6 hours.
Taxi
Taxis are available from Colombo and other major towns, offering direct transport to Ella.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Not suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required