Trek through forest to Ellawala Waterfall
Ella, Sri Lanka • 
Underrated
Underrated
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Dec
9°C – 19°C, cool and pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, ideal for outdoor activities, high crowds, peak season
9°C – 19°C, cool and pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, ideal for outdoor activities, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Trek involves hiking on uneven terrain; not wheelchair accessible.
Trek involves hiking on uneven terrain; not wheelchair accessible.
Value for money
Medium
Free entry, but transport and trek difficulty affect value.
Free entry, but transport and trek difficulty affect value.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Hidden Gem
Couples loved the secluded pool and serene forest vibes. Perfect for a romantic escape!
Scenic Journey
The trek was an adventure! The views and natural pool made it a memorable experience.
Peaceful Escape
Couples found it peaceful and less crowded, perfect for a relaxing day out together.
Tough Terrain
The trek to the waterfall was challenging. Not ideal for those with mobility issues.
Safety Concerns
Travelers were worried about the deep, invisible cavity near the falls. Be cautious!
Rough Road
The access road was very rough, making the journey difficult and time-consuming.
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
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GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
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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.
Experience a virtual tour of Ellawala Waterfall.
Witness the cascading falls at Ellawala Waterfall.
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
20-28°C
December in Ella features temperatures ranging from 19.9°C to 28.4°C. Rainfall decreases to 209mm over approximately 25.6 days, with a 40% chance of rain. Humidity is around 85%, and sunshine averages 6 hours per day.
December in Ella features temperatures ranging from 19.9°C to 28.4°C. Rainfall decreases to 209mm over approximately 25.6 days, with a 40% chance of rain. Humidity is around 85%, and sunshine averages 6 hours per day.
Open
Higher tourist numbers may lead to limited availability of accommodations and services.
Higher tourist numbers may lead to limited availability of accommodations and services.
Recommended
December offers pleasant weather conditions with reduced rainfall, making it an ideal time for trekking and outdoor activities. The landscape is vibrant, and the weather is conducive to exploring Ella's natural attractions. Due to increased tourist activity, it's advisable to book accommodations and tours in advance.
December offers pleasant weather conditions with reduced rainfall, making it an ideal time for trekking and outdoor activities. The landscape is vibrant, and the weather is conducive to exploring Ella's natural attractions. Due to increased tourist activity, it's advisable to book accommodations and tours in advance.
January
HIGH
9-19°C
Cool and pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, ideal for outdoor activities.
Cool and pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, ideal for outdoor activities.
Open
No significant restrictions; however, early booking is recommended due to high demand.
No significant restrictions; however, early booking is recommended due to high demand.
Recommended
January offers cool and pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for trekking to Ellawala Waterfall. However, it is a peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and larger crowds. Early booking is advisable.
January offers cool and pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for trekking to Ellawala Waterfall. However, it is a peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and larger crowds. Early booking is advisable.
February
HIGH
9-20°C
Pleasant weather with clear skies and minimal rainfall.
Pleasant weather with clear skies and minimal rainfall.
Open
No significant restrictions; early booking is recommended due to high demand.
No significant restrictions; early booking is recommended due to high demand.
Recommended
February continues to offer favorable weather conditions for trekking to Ellawala Waterfall. As it remains a peak tourist season, anticipate higher prices and larger crowds. Early booking is advisable.
February continues to offer favorable weather conditions for trekking to Ellawala Waterfall. As it remains a peak tourist season, anticipate higher prices and larger crowds. Early booking is advisable.
March
MEDIUM
10-21°C
Warm temperatures with occasional rainfall.
Warm temperatures with occasional rainfall.
Open
No significant restrictions; more accommodation options available as crowds decrease.
No significant restrictions; more accommodation options available as crowds decrease.
Recommended
March offers warm temperatures suitable for trekking to Ellawala Waterfall. With the peak season ending, crowd levels and prices begin to decrease, providing a more relaxed experience.
March offers warm temperatures suitable for trekking to Ellawala Waterfall. With the peak season ending, crowd levels and prices begin to decrease, providing a more relaxed experience.
How to get there
Car
Recommended
Drive towards Ellawala Waterfall via the Ella-Wellawaya Road. Park near the point where the road becomes impassable for standard vehicles, from where the final trek begins.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis can be hired from Ella or Wellawaya to reach the access road near Rathmal Vehera Ancient Temple, from where the trek begins.
Walking
Recommended
The final 1.5 km to the waterfall is a trek through jungle terrain, including rocky riverbeds and streams.
Bike
Motorcycles and scooters are viable options for navigating the access road to the trailhead.
Bus
Take a bus from Ella towards Wellawaya and alight near the turn-off for the waterfall. From there, hire a tuk-tuk for the remaining distance.
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
Not allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required