Blue = Ella rock | Green = little adams peak | Purple = Rawana (correct) falls - Click Map to Enlarge

Ella is one of the famous tourist destinations in Sri Lanka and well known among tourist as a hiking destination. Ella rock and Little Adams peak are among those famous viewpoints. Since it was a nice sunny day with a clear sky I decided to hike around Ella. My first destination was the famous Ella rock which is about 1350m in height. After arriving at around 8am to Ella I started to walk along the railway track (which is prohibited by law) towards Kithal Ella station.

It took approximately 30minutes to get to the station. On the way one can easily note the Proper Rawana Falls but unfortunately it was completely dried out. Just before Kithal ella station there is a path on the left side off the rail road which continues over the proper Rawana Falls which immediately divides in to two, the left path will take you towards Ravana cave. After taking few steps along the right hand side path it will further divide in to two, from here onwards you need to travel along the one foot wide foot path squeezing yourself through “mana” bushes. After about 500meters you will note few houses on a hill, continue along the main path until you reach a small 4 way junction and go ahead towards the houses (two green houses), you will suddenly enter a patch of tea and meet the last (which is painted in green) house.

From here the path is clear cut you need to pass the steps towards the house and continue along the path which will take you to the top of Ella rock. First you will meet a flat area which is sheltered with trees, where you will definitely stop because of the scenic view. From here continue towards the rock (which is clearly visible), the climb through the turpentine forest begins at this point and the climb is bit steep and pit stops will be a must. After about 30minutes of climbing you will reach a flat surface with a 3 way junction. Continue 100m toward your left and there you are on top of the Ella rock.

Babaragama Falls

Rawana falls dried out

top of the Rawana falls

the path

the path along the flat surface

little adams peak framed

Destination

Namunukula range spotted on the way

changing in to gear number 1

almost there

My first expression was WoW! After having a sip of water, I grabbed few fruits of ‘Jambu” from my bag and sat near the flag post and enjoyed the view while tasting my favourite fruit. One can easily appreciate Namunukula range, Bandarawela range, poonagala hills, Narangala, Badulla train and rail track, Hadapanagala, buttala and wellawaya region clearly if there is no mist.

wow!	Ella highway

time for a panorama

towards Badulla

Narangala

Namunukula seen over little adams peak

ella gap

towards wellawaya

Wadina hela at hadapanagala

yudaganawa lake

I was lucky enough

After hanging around I continued along a path which runs along the edge of the mountain towards the second view point which was about 1km away. At this site there is a small Buddhist shrine and from here you can visualize the hidden upper parts of Bambaragala Falls (Rawana falls as known by the public) and other locations which could be seen at the first view point. After hanging around I started my return back towards Kithal ella. On the way I met few foreigners and I was happy to guide them with directions.

panorama of poonagala range

shrine at view point no 2

as seen from view point no2

Buttala range

unseen top most part of babaragama falls

lower part of the waterfall

the drop

observation point

towards babaragama

lonely treen at Ella rock

summit of little adams peak

so she found her way at last

growing old or injured

I returned back to the little bridge over Rawana falls and decided to refresh myself from the waterfall. After refreshing myself I decided to go in search of the famous Rawana cave. I proceeded along the foot path which I mentioned in the beginning, which winded along the mountain edge towards the Ravana temple for about30 minutes (had to take few turns) and reached the premises, where I noted the steps which was going uphill. The climb is bit tough because of the heat and over grown Mana bushes. There was a Bee hive right close to the foot path which is why one should shut there mouths and calmly walk up hill. Finally we reached the cave (oops sorry forgot to mention that I met few people which I know by chance), it was a huge cave and seemed to be an ideal place to hide someone There were no ruins or inscriptions found at the cave site other than modern day paintings by uncivilized Sri Lankans.

Ella ravana cave

from inside the cave

modern day paintings

silent please

wonderful

After hanging around a bit we descended and proceeded towards Ella town where we had lunch. It was time to say good bye to my friends who I met by coincidence.

Next it was time to visit Little Adams peak(they say that lord budhdha considered this place before choosing Sri Pada peak), I proceeded roughly about 1.5km along Namunukula road and came to a sharp turn off from here one should proceed along a gravel road which branches to the right which runs through a tea estate. After passing the line houses I came across a 3way junction. If you proceed forward you will end up at 98 acres hotel.

I took the road towards the right where I had to creep under a triangular pole gate and proceed few hundred meters which ended at the base of Little Adams peak. From here you can either climb straight up the stairs or proceed along a foot path which winds around the mountain and ends up on top of the hill, I preferred the latter option. When I got to the top, it was double WoW this time

The view was more panoramic than Ella rock to be honest. And one could appreciate Wellawaya & buttala region, Hadapanagala, Balleketuwa area, Bandarawela, Poonagala, Rawana(Babaragama) falls, Ella road , Ella rock and Kirindi oya. I wanted to get to the edge of the mountain range so I proceeded along the foot path where I met a foreign couple who advised me that the path will get steeper and slippery and asked me to be careful. I respected there words and proceeded with caution. After enjoying the spectacular view it was time for me to rest my legs, so I turned back along the flight of steps which were made by the “pradeshiya Sabhawa/Tea estate”

Ella rock

Little adams peak

on th way to little adams peak

a tea factory

98 acres Hotel

on top of the summit

need to get to the other peak

other end

wow	towards wellawaya

towards buttala

note the highway winding around the rock

time for another panorama

towards babaragama

to tired for more adventure

artistic

a waterfall of Kirindi oya

St Catherines point

central hills

the seat

Babaragala falls

flag post at ella rock

the drop of ella rock

part of uma oya project

namunukula

the drop

heaven

more scenery

towards the unknown

the range

the shrine

a lonely rose

Ella rock and little adams peak seen from 98 acres hotel

After returning back to Ella I left towards Priyanjan‘s place where I spent that night. It was after many years that I met him and there was lot to share and discuss and guess what I was fortunate enough to meet NG also on that same day to make the day much more interesting unforgettable.

Read on about day 2 and 3 here