A information to mountaineering Ella Rock by your self, together with detailed instructions, a downloadable route map, a video and the newest important suggestions
Ella in Sri Lanka is gorgeous, they stated. ‘The closest factor to an English nation village’ and the right place to decelerate, we’d learn.
I dolefully considered this when darting throughout the thundering site visitors to dodge one more taxi driver insisting on taking me someplace I didn’t need to go. The primary avenue, stacked with milkshake huts and charm-free cafes, is a loud and roiling stretch of conveniences arrange for the vacationer alone.
Solely once you depart the village and actually head for the hills will you see the Ella of the guidebooks: grand and expansive vistas that plummet and soar so far as the attention can fly.
Nowhere are they extra spectacular than on the summit of Ella Rock, a dramatic peak roughly 5km from the city. Climbing Ella Rock is enjoyable, complicated, taxing and rewarding. Right here’s how one can hike it with out the assistance of a information.
mountaineering instructions
Begin: Ella railway station
End: Ella railway station
Distance: 10km spherical journey (approx.)
Time: 3hr spherical journey (approx.) – with an additional hour for viewing on the high
1. Begin at Ella railway station. When you enter the station, flip left and stroll to the tip of the platform. Step down onto the tracks and stroll on from there. Don’t fear in regards to the signal warning in opposition to entry; everybody, together with the locals, do it daily and nobody will cease you.
The stroll is harking back to the traditional film Stand By Me, so take your time and benefit from the view. Take notice, nevertheless, that this can be a working railway so concentrate on trains and transfer off the observe if one approaches.
Replace 24-Dec-2023: A latest hiker emailed to say that the gate to enter the prepare station could also be closed. If that’s the case, merely head to the left facet of the tunnel, simply out of the station, to hook up with the tracks.
2. Stroll alongside the tracks for roughly 40 minutes. You’ll ultimately arrive at Kithalella railway station. It’s additionally potential to start out your hike from right here in case you choose though you’ll need to organise a taxi/tuk-tuk to the station.
From Kithalella, proceed strolling alongside the tracks previous the station. Ignore anybody that claims you’re going the unsuitable method, or who tries to direct you to the ‘appropriate’ route. Touts do that to confuse vacationers into shopping for their companies as a information.
Replace 25-Sep-2017: A remark from a reader has warned that there are even faux indicators now, so make sure you comply with our directions rigorously. If doubtful, use our Ella Rock mountaineering map above.
3. After 5-10 minutes, look out for a rock marked with a blue arrow and a label which reads ‘Ella Rock’. Flip left at this juncture. The marking fades over time (and will even be coated with cement), so make an observation that it’s important to flip left after waymarker 166 ½ however earlier than waymarker 166 ¼.
Replace 24-Dec-2023: A hiker has confirmed that the blue arrow stays cemented over.
Replace 16-Feb-2025: Hikers have confirmed that the rock marker seems totally different however continues to be identifiable (see under)
4. Observe the trail and cross the footbridge. After the bridge, you’ll come to a fork within the street. Take the left path (proven within the video under). The choice path additionally results in the highest nevertheless it meanders extra and is extra more likely to get you misplaced.
5. Keep on the trail up into the tea plantation. Quickly after, you’ll go some lengthy grass and will begin to doubt that you simply’re on the correct path. Preserve going. We’re advised that touts preserve the grass lengthy to create confusion. Preserve straight on the trail; don’t flip off.
6. Quickly after the lengthy grass, the path will open up and veer proper. This may lead you to an interim viewing level.
7. From the interim viewing level, it’s an easy however steep path to the highest of Ella Rock. As soon as there, take your time to benefit from the view – it’s certainly one of the perfect within the nation!
On the best way again down, it’s possible you’ll want to take an various route. To do that, return to the interim viewing level and easily comply with vacationers heading in the wrong way of the trail that led you there.
Replace 31 March 2024: An e mail from John has advised us that there’s now a cost of 930 LKR ($3.10 USD) for adults and 450 LKR ($1.50 USD) for kids to entry the primary viewpoints. A ticket workplace and bathrooms have been put in. The decrease viewpoints are nonetheless free.
Jules & Rob
Current hikers advocate a restaurant close to marker 167 1/2
Ella Rock mountaineering suggestions
Begin early: The noon solar is extraordinarily robust so begin your hike to Ella Rock early. Intention to go away Ella railway station no later than 9am.
Put on smart sneakers: The hike to Ella Rock is steep in the direction of the tip and may be slippery after rain, so put on acceptable sneakers.
Pack the fundamentals: As with every hike, don’t neglect the fundamentals. Take loads of water, snacks, sunscreen and bug repellent. I needed to pause for a snack break within the steep last stretch as I used to be very low on vitality.
Keep away from touts: On two separate events, we had been advised by touts that we had gone unsuitable. We thanked them politely and continued on our deliberate path to the summit of Ella Rock. One couple we met on the high stated they had been taken from the correct path onto a extra convoluted route after which requested for a tip. Belief your instincts.
Keep away from leeches: We learn that there have been leeches on the trail to Ella Rock, so wore full-length trousers however noticed nothing of those slimy creatures. To keep away from getting too sizzling, put on zip-offs you can placed on when strolling by way of tall grass and take off once more when desired.
Inform us the way it went! We replace this information each few months so please e mail us to inform us about your hike to Ella Rock or if something has modified since our final go to.
Ella Rock hike: the necessities
What: Climbing Ella Rock in Sri Lanka.
The place: We booked our keep pretty late so ended up on the primary thoroughfare at Ella Dream Cafe. Whereas the rooms had been beautiful and spacious, they had been additionally ridiculously noisy (a combination of site visitors, vacationers and thumping music from the adjoining bar).
As an alternative, we advocate Lonely Planet’s options of Ella Flower Backyard Resort or Zion View Ella.
When: One of the best time to go to Ella is Dec-Mar when the Hill Nation is driest. The shoulder season of April and Sep-Nov is a first rate time to go to whereas the Yala monsoon season of Might-Aug brings rain to the Hill Nation.
How: If you’re planning on doing extra mountaineering round Sri Lanka it’s value investing in a good map. Sri Lanka 1:500,000 + metropolis plans waterproof journey map is by far the perfect map out there for mountaineering in Sri Lanka. On one facet of the map is reduction shading, spot heights and names of mountain ranges and distinguished peaks.
You may attain Ella by rail from Colombo and Kandy (test the timetable right here; notice that ‘Ella’ is spelt ‘Elle’ within the search dropdown).
There are numerous bus routes out there relying in your level of origin. It’s value noting that we discovered bus journey to be fairly demanding in Sri Lanka so it’s possible you’ll want to take a switch as a substitute. Your lodge can prepare this nevertheless it’s all the time value negotiating a reduction as these are often inflated (e.g. if quoted 15,000 LKR, ask for 11,000).
Many vacationers choose to rent a driver for everything of their journey. This prices round $45 USD per day (together with the times you don’t use the driving force). We used Ajaa (+94 777 284 178) and Sisi (+94 777 203 083) for shorter transfers and located them to be pleasant and dependable.
Most worldwide flights land at Bandaranaike Worldwide Airport (CMB). E book flights through skyscanner.internet for the perfect costs.
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