Ella Rock, Uva Province, Sri Lanka

4.5 (2.016 reviews) Sunday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent Ranking #1 in Ella Geologic Formations

Great hike with an amazing view!

Amazing hike with some of the best views imaginable of Ella. I highly recommend getting a guide, as the trail isn’t obvious or straightforward and the hike starts on some railroad tracks, so it’s good to have a local who knows the train schedule. The whole hike takes about 2 - 3 hours. I made the mistake of not respecting the elevation and needed to take a longer rest than normal from exertion. The second half is fairly vertical and requires some decent work. We started around 8am and it’s wasn’t too hot. The sunrise views require getting started about 5am. If you’re not keen on the sunrise then a 7am start should afford a more comfortable hike experience. The main peak has a water vendor and amazing views, but be sure to walk along the ridge for a second vista. There are very cute trail dogs who will do the hike along with you, too.
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Address

Ella Main Street NECS-Nature Exploration and Conservation Society Sri Lanka, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka

Working hours

Monday : 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday : 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday : 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday : 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday : 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday : 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday : 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Current local date and time now

Sunday, May 05, 2024, 15:59

User Ratings

4.5 based on (2.016 reviews)

Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%

Reviews

  • 5Ulrikbuchert 5:00 PM Jul 1, 2022
    Perfect views through the Ella Gap
    One of the best hikes in Ella - of course we wanted to climb Ella Rock. We arranged a guide and were quite happy to have him, as there were not that many people on the trail and we could have easily gotten lost many places along the way (and we're seasoned hikers). Once on the top of the rock there are great views almost 360 degrees. We started at Kithaella Train Station, and the whole hike (up and down) took about 2 hours.
  • 5Sophie Barrett 5:00 PM Mar 4, 2020
    Great hike - but we did get lost!
    My husband and I decided to go up for sunrise on our own, as we were told it was easy without a guide. We did get quite lost at first, but this was mainly because of a cheeky local confusing us. They want to show you the way so you pay them a guide fee, so they tell you you're going the wrong way / your map is wrong! We ended up turning left too soon so we went a route without a path which wasnt ideal but we made it with the help of some stray dogs! We missed sunrise but it didn't matter. If you want to make it up for sunrise you would need to set off about 4am, and I think it would be best to get a guide as finding the route in the dark was hard. You need to keep going past the train station until you get to a path which takes you across a bridge over the water. Then it's a clear path! The views were incredible and it was only us up there (about 7.30am). When we were leaving some locals were setting up a stall and gave us some fruit and wouldn't take any money from us! They sell water and coconuts up there too incase you don't have any. The route down was super easy and you couldnt really get lost. It was starting to get pretty hot so I would definitely recommend going early, the views are better then too. A must do hike whilst in Ella! You can do it guide-less in day light, just stick to your route and you will be fine :)

See also

More Things to do in Ella