Trek through forest to Ellawala Waterfall
Ella, Sri Lanka • 
Underrated
UnderratedElla, Sri Lanka
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.
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
June
LOW
22-27°C
June sees slightly cooler temperatures with continued high humidity and substantial rainfall, averaging 270mm over approximately 29.8 days.
June sees slightly cooler temperatures with continued high humidity and substantial rainfall, averaging 270mm over approximately 29.8 days.
Open
Persistent rainfall may affect trail conditions, making some paths slippery and less accessible.
Persistent rainfall may affect trail conditions, making some paths slippery and less accessible.
Not recommended
June continues the wet season with cooler temperatures and high rainfall. Trekking to Ellawala Waterfall is possible but may be hindered by wet and slippery trails. Proper gear and caution are recommended.
June continues the wet season with cooler temperatures and high rainfall. Trekking to Ellawala Waterfall is possible but may be hindered by wet and slippery trails. Proper gear and caution are recommended.
July
LOW
21-27°C
July maintains similar conditions with warm temperatures and high humidity, accompanied by significant rainfall, averaging 184mm over approximately 28.8 days.
July maintains similar conditions with warm temperatures and high humidity, accompanied by significant rainfall, averaging 184mm over approximately 28.8 days.
Open
Rainfall may continue to impact trail conditions, requiring caution during treks.
Rainfall may continue to impact trail conditions, requiring caution during treks.
Not recommended
July's weather is characterized by warm temperatures and continued rainfall. While the landscape is lush, trekking conditions to Ellawala Waterfall may be challenging. It's advisable to monitor weather updates and plan accordingly.
July's weather is characterized by warm temperatures and continued rainfall. While the landscape is lush, trekking conditions to Ellawala Waterfall may be challenging. It's advisable to monitor weather updates and plan accordingly.
August
LOW
21-28°C
August features warm temperatures with high humidity and substantial rainfall, averaging 184mm over approximately 28.8 days.
August features warm temperatures with high humidity and substantial rainfall, averaging 184mm over approximately 28.8 days.
Open
Ongoing rainfall may affect trail conditions, making some paths slippery and less accessible.
Ongoing rainfall may affect trail conditions, making some paths slippery and less accessible.
Not recommended
August continues the wet season with warm temperatures and high rainfall. Trekking to Ellawala Waterfall is possible but may be hindered by wet and slippery trails. Proper gear and caution are recommended.
August continues the wet season with warm temperatures and high rainfall. Trekking to Ellawala Waterfall is possible but may be hindered by wet and slippery trails. Proper gear and caution are recommended.
September
LOW
21-28°C
September in Ella experiences moderate temperatures ranging from 20.8°C to 27.5°C. Rainfall increases, averaging 223mm over approximately 26 days, with a 41% chance of rain. Humidity is around 86%, and sunshine averages 7.3 hours per day.
September in Ella experiences moderate temperatures ranging from 20.8°C to 27.5°C. Rainfall increases, averaging 223mm over approximately 26 days, with a 41% chance of rain. Humidity is around 86%, and sunshine averages 7.3 hours per day.
Open
Increased rainfall may make trekking trails slippery and challenging.
Increased rainfall may make trekking trails slippery and challenging.
Not recommended
September marks the beginning of the intermonsoon period in Ella, leading to increased rainfall and humidity. While the landscape becomes lush and green, outdoor activities like trekking may be hindered by wet conditions. It's advisable to check weather forecasts and trail conditions before planning hikes.
September marks the beginning of the intermonsoon period in Ella, leading to increased rainfall and humidity. While the landscape becomes lush and green, outdoor activities like trekking may be hindered by wet conditions. It's advisable to check weather forecasts and trail conditions before planning hikes.
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
