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Bambaragan oya, Dehigolla falls, Elle Gedara Falls, Gedaramada falls, Heeloya, Hunnasgiriya, Kahatagolla Oya cascades, Katahara Ella, Perumal Watuna Ella, Perumal falls, Thalagune, Thalagune Falls, Theldeniya, Udispaththuwa, Ududumbara, Wegala Ella, Uncategorized

Author: Niroshan (303 Trips)

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A26 road ranges from Kandy to Padiyathalawa, passing Theldeniya, Hunnasgiriya and Ududumbara. This is a short account of waterfalls I visited at these areas closer to A26 road.
Following waterfalls were visited during my journey:
1. Perumal Ella / Perumal Watuna Ella
2. Bambaragan Oya cascades (six waterfalls)
3. Wegala Ella
4. Kahatagolla Oya cascades (4-6 waterfalls)
5. Gedaramada Ella
6. Elle gala Ella / Thalagune Ella

Perumal Ella / Perumal Watuna Ella (පෙරුමාල් ඇල්ල /පෙරුමාල් වැටුන ඇල්ල) (7.325292, 80.811493)

Directions: Theldeniya->Udispaththuwa->Heeloya->Heeloya Echo tourism Village->Galmal Oya->Perumal Ella

We have drove along Theldeniya-Rangala road and turned to right at Udispaththuwa (උඩිස්පත්තුව) to Heeloya (හීල් ඔය). There was a board mentioning Perumal Ella. Then we have reached Heeloya bus turning point and parked the vehicle there. Heeloya village has been turned into an echo tourism village including different attractions of traditional village. Therefore we also had to get a guide to reach Perumal Ella. We continued along same road by foot and crossed Galmal Oya (ගල්මල් ඔය) . There was a foot pathway on the other side of River bank parallel to upstream to reach Perumal Ella. It was about 1km walk from the parking place to the Perumal Ella. This foot pathway ends at the stream and last 10-20m was along the stream to base of the fall. There was a drizzling when we reached the base of Perumal Ella. Surrounding rocks were extremely slippery. Carefully we had got on to a nearby rock where full view of Perumal Falls is visible.

Perumal falls is about 10m tall and formed by Gal Mal Oya. The person called Perumal has fallen from the fall causing name Perumal Falls / Perumal Watuna Ella.

Office of Heel Oya Echo tourism village

Crossing Gal Mal Oya

Perumal Ella. Full view is not visible at this frame.

Selfie with Perumal Ella. But this is not recommended.

Last bit of Perumal Ella

Classic view of Perumal Ella

Perumal Ella

Perumal Ella-Full view

How it ends

Side stream forms this tiny beautiful fall

There was another small waterfall situated little bit below our crossing of Gal Mal Oya. Our guide has mentioned the name. I can’t remember.

After enjoying Perumal Ella, we have reached to Theldeniya back and drove up to Hunnasgiriya town. Bambaragan Oya cascades were our next target.

Bambaragan Oya cascades / බඹරගන් ඔයේ ඇලි

Directions: Colombo->Kandy->A26 road->Hunnasgiriya->Dehigolla road->Bambaragan Oya cascades

Bambaragan Oya origins from Knuckles forest reserve and forms 6+ cascades in it’s journey to join with Gal Mal Oya. Some of these waterfalls can be seen from A26 road just before Hunnasgiriya town. (This is a common finding when you drive along A26 road just before Hunnasgiriya)
Kasun and Nuwan joined with me for this journey and we have reached Hunnasgiriya town early in the morning. Hunnasgiriya is fairly long town and this was kind of a proximal end of the town we reached. Ashan’s report on Bambaragan Oya was our guide. We have walked along Dehigolla road. It was around 2km along Dehigolla road till you reach the bridge that cross Bambaragan Oya. Rajagala Kanda was standing behind us like a giant.

Bambaragan Oya cascades in Google map. Starting point is marked.

Good morning Hunnasgiriya town

Rajagala Kanda was standing behind us.

There is one waterfall below the bridge and rest of the cascades are situated above the bridge. We have kept this lower fall later and started the journey along Bambaragan Oya. Initial journey along the stream was bit slippery and we were able to reach second waterfall in few minutes time. (Don’t forget first fall is situated below the bridge).
This waterfall is fairly big in size and Ashan has imagined it’s height approximately as 50m. This fall is called Dehigolla Ella (දෙහිගොල්ල ඇල්ල) as well.

Entering to Bambaragan Oya.

Entering to Bambaragan Oya

Bambaragan Oya

Reaching first waterfall of the day. Bambaragan Oya cascade No.02. Dehigolla Ella.

Bambaragan Oya cascade No.02.

Bambaragan Oya cascade No.02.

Bambaragan Oya cascade No.02. Note Nuwan has at the base of the fall. It is about 50m tall.

Front view of Bambaragan Oya falls-2. Dehigolla Falls.

Bambaragan Oya falls-2. Dehigolla Falls.

Then we followed the right side of Dehigolla falls to reach the top of it. After walking few meters up we have come across 3rd and 4th waterfalls situated close to each other. This third waterfall is about 10m in height and fourth waterfall is about 20m in height.

On top of Dehigolla falls.

View from top of Dehigolla Falls.

Side view of Bambaragan Oya.

At the base of 3rd and 4th waterfalls

Bambaragan Oya cascades-3rd and 4th falls

Bambaragan Oya cascades-Third waterfall

Bambaragan Oya cascades. Third fall.

Bambaragan Oya cascades. Third fall.

Fourth waterfall of Bambaragan Oya

On top of second fall of Bambaragan Oya.

We have reached top of third fall of Bambaragan Oya.

Again followed the right side of the stream to reach the base of fourth fall but this place was bit slippery.

Fourth waterfall of Bambaragan Oya.

Fourth waterfall of Bambaragan Oya.

Fourth waterfall of Bambaragan Oya. Reaching the base of this fall is bit dangerous due to slippery rock.

Front view of Bambaragan Oya cascades-4.

Enjoying 4th fall of Bambaragan Oya.

Note Kasun is behind the water flow.

After the fourth fall we have again followed the right side of the stream to reach 5th waterfall in Bambaragan Oya. Fifth fall is about 10m in height. We came across another mini cascade between 5th fall and 6th fall. Hereafter we have passed a fairly flat section till we reached the base of 6th fall. If I rank these falls according to their beauty, I will give number one to this lady. 6th fall of Bambaragan Oya is called as Katahara Ella (කටහැර ඇල්ල) by locals. It’s height might be 50m. The drop at the mountain will prevent further hike along Bambaragan Oya at this point.

Fifth waterfall of Bambaragan Oya.

Fifth waterfall of Bambaragan Oya.

Fifth waterfall of Bambaragan Oya.

Nuwan is at base of fifth waterfall.

.	Mini cascade above 5th fall

Another view point of Bambaragan Oya

Hunnasgiriya town and A26 road

Along Bambaragan Oya

Wild beauty

It is fairly flat section of the land

This drop forms 6th fall of Bambaragan Oya.

6th fall of Bambaragan Oya. This is called as Katahara Ella by locals.

6th fall of Bambaragan Oya.

6th fall of Bambaragan Oya.

6th fall of Bambaragan Oya. The water has plunged through a narrow gap to form this beautiful fall. This narrow gap at mountain is called “Katare.” (කටාරේ)

Different view of 6th waterfall.

Base of 6th fall.

Three man team

It’s hard to say good bye to this lady

We followed the same path to descend and reached the starting point at bridge in one and half-hour’ time. First cascade which is situated below the bridge was our next target. We had no time at this stage as a rain was around the corner. There was a water diversion canal below the bridge and we followed it for certain distance. Later we have left the canal in it’s right side and reached the base of 1st fall with utter difficulties due to heavily grown bushes. As the rain has started Bambaragan Oya showed it’s true colours and it made difficult to cross the stream to reach the base of the fall. Somehow I was able to capture 1st fall but it was difficult to get into the cave situated near the fall.

First fall of Bambaragan Oya. This was taken during rain.

Bambaragan Oya cascades. 1st one.

Bambaragan Oya cascades.

The cave at 1st cascade.

1st waterfall of Bambaragan Oya.

It ended another successful waterfall journey at Bambaragan Oya.
In between 42-43 km post we found another road side beauty called Wegala Falls.

Wegala Falls / වේගෙල ඇල්ල (7.285193, 80.800837)

Directions: Colombo->Kandy->A26 road->42-43km posts->Wegala Falls

As it is situated at Wegala area in Kandy-Mahiyanganaya road, it is called Wegala Falls. It is about 10-15m tall.

Wegala Falls

Wegala Falls

Wegala Falls

Wegala Falls

Wegala Falls

Next set of waterfalls is situated at 43km post of A26 road. We have passed the bridge over the stream at 43km post and got down to the stream. This water stream is called Kahatagolla Oya.

Kahatagolla Oya cascades (කහටගොල්ල ඔයේ ඇලි) (7.309824, 80.870236)

Directions: Colombo->Kandy->A26road->43km post->Kahatagolla Oya

There are 5/6 cascades formed by Kahatagolla Oya. First one is just above the bridge.

Kahatagolla Oya cascade-1. This is situated above the bridge. There is a water diversion canal just at the base of this fall.

Kahatagolla Oya cascade-1.

Kahatagolla Oya cascade-1.

With Kahatagolla cascade-1.

Then we have moved under the bridge and reached another waterfall with 5m height.

On top of second waterfall.

On top of second waterfall.

Kahatagolla Oya falls-2.

Kahatagolla Oya falls-2.

Next waterfall is about 7m tall and situated just below the second one. We followed the stream in it’s right side to reach the base of this fall. We have noted a separate foot path from the bridge to base of this fall. (in left side)

Kahatagolla Falls-3.

Kahatagolla Falls-3.

Kahatagolla Falls-3.

Kahatagolla Falls-3.

Next step of the stream is steep and makes a waterfall with 15-20m tall. We tried to get down in it’s left side but it was bit difficult due to acute steepness. But we were able to reach a place which was almost like base of the fall. Further getting down along the stream was not possible. Therefore we came back and planned to reach waterfalls along upstream.

On top of Kahatagolla Falls-4

On top of Kahatagolla Falls-4

Kahatagolla Falls-4.

Kahatagolla Falls-4.

After about 1km along Mahiyanganaya road we came to a junction called Haloya (හල් ඔය). There was a concrete road on right side next to the shop at Haloya. After discussing with locals we got down along this road and followed some concrete steps to reach another road parallel to paddies.
We were able to see Kahatagolla Oya from these paddy fields. Then it was a walk through paddy fields to reach base of these waterfalls. Locals said there is a place at Kahatagolla Oya called “Kadu Hodana Wala (කඩු හෝදන වල)” somewhere down to these waterfalls.
Though we have reached closer to the stream it was difficult to get into Oya due to thickly grown Mana Patch. According to my observation there might be two or more waterfalls further down along the river.
We have abounded the journey and followed the same route to reach A26 road at Haloya junction.

Lower cascades were seen from Paddy fields

Walking through Paddies

Lower cascades of Kahatagolla Oya.

Lower cascades of Kahatagolla Oya. I think we have reached top of upper waterfall in this photo.

Lower cascades of Kahatagolla Oya.

This might be cascade No.05.

This might be cascade No.05.

Place to stay

Last two waterfalls in this journey was Gedaramada Ella and Ellegala Falls. Here you have to reach Kovilmada (කොවිල්මඩ) in A26 road after passing Ududumbara town.

When you drive along Ududumbara-Kalugala road to hike Kehelpothdoruwegala / Yahangala you may see this flat waterfall above paddies at Thalagune area. This fall is called Elle Gedara / Thalagune Falls. But the same water stream forms another cascade above Elle Gedara Falls, called Gedaramada Ella. It can’t be seen from Kalugala road. In Google map it is marked as Thalagune Falls 2 and 1. Let’s start from true Gedaramada Falls. So Gedaramada Ella and Elle Gedara Falls are two different falls.

Gedaramada Ella (ගෙදරමඩ ඇල්ල) (7.335164, 80.891586)

Directions: Colombo->Kandy->A26 road->Ududumbara->Kowilmada->Gedaramada Ella

Here we have followed a concrete road just before the Bench mark at Kowilmada-Ududumbara. At the end of the road there was a house (might be the last of the lane) and we got directions from there. There was a foot path up to the water stream and we crossed the stream then. Next part was a small hike till you reach the base of the waterfall through the forest. The sound of Gedaramada Falls would guide you. There were some boulders at the base and we had to climb over them to get a clear picture of the waterfall.
Gedaramada Ella is about 10m tall waterfall.

Upper part of Gedaramada Ella is seen. This is the last bit of that concrete road.

Upper part of Gedaramada Ella.

 

Crossing the stream.

Gedaramada Ella.

Gedaramada Ella.

Gedaramada Ella.

Gedaramada Ella.

Top of Gedaramada Ella

Gedaramada Ella

Enjoy you tube video of Gedaramada Ella

Then we returned to the water stream and followed downstream to reach the top of Elle Gedara / Thalagune Falls. We have used the Google map in this trekking and it is about 2km journey to reach top of Thalagune Oya. On our way to Thalagune Oya we came across a water diversion canal as well.

Top of Thalagune Falls is a nice place with beautiful surrounding view. And it seems as a beautiful camping site. But you may find wild elephants at this place.

On top of Thalagune Ella / Elle Gedara Falls.

The place where Thalagune falls is formed.

View from top of Thalagune Ella

Thalagune village and paddy fields.

Paddy fields of Thalagune village. Ududumbara-Kalugala road is also seen at top of the picture.

Top of Thalagune Ella is a good place for camping. But wild elephants may roam here.

Top of Thalagune Ella. Dumbanagala is seen in right side of the picture.

Then we followed left side of the waterfall to get down. There were two pipe lines running down which were used guide to us. Later we came across a foot path to get down (might be used by locals to come up.) This foot path ends at a water tanks which gets water from pipe lines. Further continuation of the foot path crossed another water stream called Meethota Oya. Meethota Oya (මීතොට ඔය) is a separate water stream and later it joins with flow of Ellegala Falls to form Thalagune Oya (තලගුණේ ඔය) after Dambagahapitiya. This whole area was filled with bean plots and villagers were working there. Our next target was to get the best view of Elle Gedara Falls from it’s base.
According to the instructions given by villagers, we followed a canal on one side of Meethota Oya. This canal ended up at another bean farm. Then we followed the foot pathway through abounded paddy fields to get much closer view of Thalagune Falls / Elle Gedara Ella.

Elle Gedara Ella / Thalagune Ella (ඇල්ලේ ගෙදර ඇල්ල/තලගුණේ ඇල්ල) (7.338038,80.887955)

Direction: Colombo->Kandy->Ududumbara->Ududumbara-Kalugala road->Thalagune-> Elle Gedara Ella / Thalagune Ella

As this waterfall is situated at Thalagune village, it is called Thalagune Falls. Height of the waterfall is about 20-25m.
Base of the fall can be approached from Thalagune village situated at Ududumbara-Kalugala road.

Thalagune / Elle Gedara Falls is seen over bean farms

Elle Gedara Falls

Elle Gedara Falls. We were on top of this falls.

Elle Gedara Falls

Elle Gedara Falls

Elle Gedara Falls

Elle Gedara Falls

Garandi Ella with it’s steps

View from Thalagune Village

Thalagune Falls in Google map. Locations are correct. But inappropriately mentioned Gedaramada Ella as Thalagune Falls-2.

At the end of the day

Kalugala Garandi Ella (කලුගල ගැරඪි ඇල්ල) cascade chane is also situated at A26 road, but I would like to come in a separate road. Further continuation along A26 road will come across more and more waterfalls.

Thanks for reading