Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Eat & drink
    • Culture
    • Nightlife
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Ella

    Sri Lanka

    Ella

    City

    Ella is a small town on the southeastern edge of the highlands and the region's most popular hiking base.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Sri Lanka
    7. Kandy & Highlands
    9. Ella
    Ella is a small town on the southeastern edge of the highlands and the region's most popular hiking base. From here, you can reach the Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, and Ella Rock on foot; the railway line from Nanu Oya ends here for many travelers.Life revolves around the main street between the train station and bus stop, where cafés, restaurants, and bars line up. East of the town lies the area around the Nine Arches Bridge near Demodara, while to the south, the road leads down to the Ravana Falls towards Wellawaya.Since June 20, 2026, trains have been stopping in Ella again, after the Nanu Oya to Badulla section was closed for about seven months due to cyclone damage.

    Sights in Ella

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Ella Rock
    Attraction

    1Ella Rock

    Depending on the starting point, the round-trip hike is 8 to 12 kilometers and takes 3 to 5 hours. From Ella train station, follow the tracks for about 40 minutes to Kithal Ella; starting there saves time.
    Open in Google Maps
    Ravana Cave
    Attraction

    2Ravana Cave

    The cave is located at approximately 1,370 meters and is accessible after a short climb. It is linked to the Ramayana legend surrounding King Ravana.
    Open in Google Maps
    Nine Arches Bridge
    Point of Interest

    3Nine Arches Bridge

    The Demodara railway bridge was completed in 1921 under British rule. It is built only of stone, bricks, and cement without steel, and successfully withstood the 2025 cyclone damage.
    Open in Google Maps
    Little Adam's Peak
    Attraction

    4Little Adam's Peak

    The 1,141-meter-high peak owes its name to its resemblance to Adam's Peak. The round trip hike takes about two hours, and it's a roughly 40-minute walk from there to the Nine Arches Bridge.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Ella

    1

    Matey Hut

    Affordable, simple eatery offering Sri Lankan cuisine like Kottu, Rotti and fresh juices. Cooking classes are also available.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    The Barn by Starbeans

    Upscale spot with wood-fired pizza and good coffee. Guides say open 7 AM to 10:30 PM.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    Chill UFO

    All-day spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Coffee in the mornings, wine in the evenings.
    Show on Google Maps

    Ravana Legend and Hiking Etiquette

    Ravana MythRavana Falls and the nearby Ravana Cave bear the name of the demon king from the Ramayana. The cave lies at about 1,370 meters, the waterfall at around 1,050 meters.On the TracksMany hiking trails, e.g., to Ella Rock, follow the tracks for a stretch. The line is back in operation; keep your distance from trains.Warning signs against entering the tracks are posted at the station.For Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock, start early; clouds often gather by midday.

    Nightlife

    1

    Café Chill

    Multi-story venue on the main street with a lounge on the top floor. According to Lonely Planet, the Oberdeck is the place in the evenings for a cold beer or a Mojito.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Mandala Cafe & Bar

    Café, Bar and Shisha-Lounge across from the train station, open 24/7. Evenings feature DJ nights, the crowd is mostly backpackers.
    Show on Google Maps

    Getting There and Around

    RailRail status (as of October 2026): Cyclone Ditwah damaged the hill country line in many places in late 2025. The Nanu Oya to Badulla section via Ella has been running again since 20 June 2026. There are still no through trains between Kandy and Nanu Oya: the Hatton to Nanu Oya section is still being repaired, and there is no firm date. Check the current status with Sri Lanka Railways before you travel.Nanu Oya to Ella: about 2 to 2.5 hours. Reserved seats are released one month in advance.From Kandy you currently travel by road to Nuwara Eliya or Nanu Oya and change there.RoadNuwara Eliya to Ella: 33 kilometres, about 1.5 hours by shared minibus.Ravana Falls is 6 kilometres away on the road to Wellawaya, about an hour on foot.On the GroundThe village is easy to get around on foot. For Ravana Falls or the Kithal Ella starting point, take a tuk-tuk.

    Accommodations in Ella

    Find perfect stay in Ella

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Plan your trip to Ella

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Ella

      Live
      • 1Ella Rock3 days
      • 2Ravana Cave4 days
      • 3Nine Arches Bridge5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Ella
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    Haputale

    Haputale

    Haputale is a mountain town on the southern edge of the Highlands, west of Ella, situated on a narrow ridge above tea slopes. You come for Lipton's Seat, the Dambatenne tea factory, and Adisham Monastery, all reachable on day trips.The small town center, with its train station, bus stand, and simple eateries, stretches along the ridge. To the east, the road leads through the Dambatenne plantations up to Lipton's Seat; to the west, Adisham Monastery lies in the forests.Haputale is located on the Highland Line, where trains have been running again between Nanu Oya and Badulla since June 2026.
    Horton Plains National Park

    Horton Plains National Park

    Horton Plains National Park is a high plateau at around 2,000 meters, approximately 20 kilometers south of Nuwara Eliya and 20 kilometers west of Haputale. It is known for its circular trail to World's End cliff and Baker's Falls, the only national park trail in Sri Lanka you are allowed to hike without a guide.The 3,160-hectare park lies between Kirigalpotta and Totapola, the island's second and third highest peaks. Highland forest and wet grassland characterize the landscape, with an average temperature of about 16 degrees. Sambar deer are most frequently encountered, but wild boars and leopards also live here.It’s worth setting off early: From late morning onwards, clouds often roll in and obscure the view from World’s End.
    Nuwara Eliya

    Nuwara Eliya

    Nuwara Eliya is located at 1,868 meters in the heart of the tea country and is the most important center for Sri Lankan tea production. Founded by Samuel Baker in 1846, the city, with its British villas, is nicknamed "Little England" and serves as a base for tea factories, Horton Plains National Park, and onward train journeys to Ella.The city center is built around Victoria Park and the red-brick post office building from 1894. To its south is Gregory Lake with its park, and colonial hotels like the Grand Hotel and the Hill Club line Grand Hotel Road.The city's train station is Nanu Oya, approximately 10 kilometers west of the center. Since June 2026, trains have again run from there to Ella and Badulla.
    Udawalawe National Park

    Udawalawe National Park

    Udawalawe National Park is situated on the border of Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces, approximately 165 kilometers from Colombo and north of the South Coast. It is renowned for excellent year-round elephant sightings and makes for a perfect day trip from the coast.The park was established on June 30, 1972, partly to protect animals that lost their habitat due to the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. It covers approximately 308 square kilometers; a herd of an estimated 250 elephants lives here permanently, though tour guides often cite significantly higher total numbers.With 184 documented bird species, including 33 migratory birds, the park is also appealing to birdwatchers. Located at its edge is the Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned elephant calves are raised. The nearest town is Embilipitiya.
    Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

    Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

    Adam's Peak, in Sinhalese Sri Pada, is a 2,243-meter high conical mountain in the western highlands and one of the island's holiest sites. Between December and May, pilgrims and travelers ascend at night via around 5,500 steps to reach the summit by sunrise.Near the summit lies a 1.8-meter long rock imprint, revered by Buddhists as the footprint of Buddha, by Hindus as that of Shiva, by Christians as that of Saint Thomas, and by Muslims as Adam's. At sunrise, the mountain casts a triangular shadow over the surrounding area, which rapidly shortens as the sun rises higher.Six paths lead up, with the ascent from Dalhousie (Nallathanni) near Hatton being the most frequently used, alongside the path from Ratnapura via Palabaddala.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI