You get a fantastic view, when you are hiking Ella Rock.

You get a fantastic view, when you are hiking Ella Rock.

Ella Rock in Sri Lanka has one of the best views on the island. So it’s well worth hiking. I have hiked it several times over the years. So here is some tips and advice for hiking Ella Rock.

You start walking along the rail tracks.

When you are hiking Ella Rock, then you start it with a pleasant flat walk along the rail tracks. If you are coming from town, then it’s about two kilometers you walk. At one point, just after a small railway bridge, you turn left. There is a little food stall where you turn left that sells coconuts and boiled sweetcorn. And do not worry about the train.  The train that passes here is an old diesel train that you can hear well in advance. and it is so slow that it’s easy to step off the trails when you see it approaching. 

 

Walking along the rail tracks, where the dogs like to rest.

Walking along the rail tracks, where the dogs like to rest.

Through some high vegetation.

You then walk across a little bridge and pass a water fall. You are actually walking on top of the waterfall. After that you have to pass some dense vegetation that is about two meters high. There are several trails there and it’s easy to get lost. Also be ware that this area has quite a few snakes. So it’s better to wear hiking shoes or hiking boots. Sandals give you less protection if you step on a snake by accident. I once saw a viper on the trail myself.

You will be walking past a waterfall on the way to Ella Rock.

You will be walking past a waterfall on the way to Ella Rock.

You might want to hire a local guide.

Because the vegetation is so dense and has several trails criss crossing, you might want to hire a local guide in advance. If you are a little group, then it comes out very cheap per person. If you get lost on the other hand, then you can hire people along the trail to show you the way. But they cost 2-3 times as  much as someone who is hired in advance.

 

Hiking Through tea fields.

After the high elephant grass, you come to an area with tea fields. It’s quite easy to walk there, but you have several trails in the tea fields. so be careful not to get lost there as well.

Hiking through tea fields.

Hiking through tea fields.

Up in the forest.

The last part of the hike goes through forest. And here you are climbing quite a bit. The forest area is quite steep, but it’s doable for anyone who is reasonably fit.

The trail is quite nice, most of the way.

The trail is quite nice, most of the way.

Is hiking Ella Rock difficult?

Not really. The entire hike going there and back the same way, is around 10 kilometers. And while there is some elevation, most people with a fairly level of fitness can do it. But most people will lose their breath a couple of times.

And the view makes it worth the effort.

The views from Ella Rock are really fantastic. Ella is situated up in the Sri Lanka highlands and you have rolling mountains covered in tea fields all over the place, as you are enjoying the view.

A little kingfisher bird on a stick, next to the trail.

A little kingfisher bird on a stick, next to the trail.

Nice encounter on Ella Rock.

On my last hike to Ella Rock I was approached by a young couple from New Zealand, while I was standing on the top of the mountain. They told me that they were following my blog and had contacted me a few weeks earlier for some advice about cycling in Sri Lanka. They ere now 3 weeks in to a 4 weeks cycling journey of Sri Lanka. Very nice to meet this wonderful couple.

Nice encounter on Ella Rock.

Nice encounter on Ella Rock.

So get your lazy ass moving when you are in Sri Lanka. Hiking Ella rock is really nice and keeps you fit as well. 🙂

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