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Ella is a beautiful little town in Sri Lanka’s hill country, popular with backpackers and hiking enthusiasts and hiking Ella Rock is one of the best things to do in Ella. Here’s a guide for how to get to Ella Rock on your own.
Want to know what else there is to do in Ella? Check out my top things to do in Ella and why you should visit!
A simple guide to Hiking Ella Rock, Sri Lanka
Hiking Ella Rock is more strenuous than the hike to Little Adam’s Peak, which is suitable for most fitness levels, however I would still rate the hike to Ella Rock as moderate. It starts off relatively easy and mostly flat, but it does begin to climb towards the end.
I would recommend sturdy, comfortable shoes, definitely no flip flops as there are leeches lurking in the long grass, particularly after it’s been raining. The round trip to Ella’s rock will take approximately 4 hours, depending on how quick you walk and how much time you spend at the top. Make sure that you pack plenty of water and snacks, a hat and suncream and you’ll need mosquito spray!
When I was researching into the route, I came across lots of conflicting information. Some people said that you needed a guide to reach the top, whereas others had managed to get there on their own. After researching further into the route, we decided we would go it alone and I’m so glad that we didn’t pay for a guide as you really don’t need it – as long as you research your route beforehand and take a downloaded version with you, then you should be fine.
There are many blogs which show the hiking route to Ella rock, some of which have handy photos to help with the explanation. I would strongly recommend downloading a couple of route guides to your phone and taking them with you.
Unfortunately I didn’t stop to take specific photos of the route on the way up as I was too busy taking it all in(!), but I did make a note of the route we took…
Here is the step by step guide for the route we hiked to Ella Rock, Sri Lanka:
Step 1
Starting at the main street in Ella town, take the road up the hill towards the train station. At the station, turn left at the platform and start walking along the train tracks. (We were a bit nervous about doing this at first – you would never dream of doing this in the UK! But it is completely normal in Sri Lanka and you will see many tourists and locals using the train lines as a path – the trains here are very loud and slow, so don’t worry you will hear them coming and will have plenty of time to move out of the way).
Step 2
Continue walking along the train track until you reach Kithalella Railway Station, which is basically a small cream building with a sign on the side. Continue past the train station, after approximately 10 minutes you will come to a narrowing of the path, with tall rocks covered in vegetation either side of the track. Be careful when passing through this section as there’s not much room either side of the train track to get out of the way if a train comes – we walked quickly through this bit! Immediately after this section, you need to take the path on the left, which leads to a small footbridge over a little stream. Careful not to miss it as the path bends round almost in a U.
Tip: Beware, there are several small paths which lead off the train tracks before and after Kithalella Railway station. I had read that some locals will sometimes try to tell you that these paths are the way to Ella Rock and that you are going the wrong way. They will then ask hikers for money in return for taking you along the correct route. We did not experience this at all, the locals we saw along route were friendly and just waved or said hello, but just something to be aware of.
Step 3
After crossing the small footbridge, the path forks into two. Take the path on the left, through the tea plantations.
Step 4
After you’ve taken the path on the left, continue to follow the track through the tea plantations.
Update – May 2024
Thanks to @thedeparturebrief for getting in touch to let me know that you now need to pay to access the viewpoint at the top of Ella Rock. Towards the top of the tea plantations, you will come across a sign informing you of these charges. The current price for a foreign adult is 930 rupees, payable when you reach the top.
After this point, the trail seems to be marked with large orange dots painted on trees. Check out their Youtube video on hiking Ella Rock, too!
Step 5
Once you are out of the tea plantations, keep following the path along the ridge line, through large trees. You will now start to get views over the landscape and of the side of Ella Rock on your left. Take a moment to catch your breath before you start the last ascent!
Step 6 - The final push!
The last section of the hike to Ella Rock is the most strenuous. It begins with a section of steep steps, before arriving at a eucalyptus forest. Follow the winding path through the forest. This bit gets hot and humid, so make sure you have enough water left for this last section and your return journey.
Following the path to Ella Rock through the eucalyptus forest
The viewpoint
Coming out of the forest, you will reach the clearing at the top of Ella Rock. Here, you will see a small hut, with wooden fencing around it – this is where you will need to pay 980 rupees to access the viewpoint.
It is a shame that they have implemented a charge for this now, as it was free when we completed the walk, but if you want to see views like the one below, you do need to pay, as you don’t really get views along the hike, it is only here, at the very end.
Spend some time taking in the views at the top, then to get back down, simply follow the route in reverse.
Is the hike to Ella Rock worth it?
As I’ve mentioned, when we completed the walk, there was no charge to access the viewpoint. However, I still think it is worth hiking Ella Rock, even with the charge. The views at the top are brilliant and if you enjoy hiking, it is nice to go off the beaten track and have the fun of navigating your way through the landscapes.
Hiking Ella Rock is one of those ‘must-do’ activities in Ella, and I personally would recommend it.
Tips for hiking Ella Rock, Ella
- Make sure you research up to date route instructions and guides before you set off. Download them onto your phone so you can view them offline. My favourite hiking app is All Trails. I use it to find and follow hikes worldwide and if you have the Pro version you can download offline maps too. The Pro version is £35.99 for the year and if you use the affiliate link above, they will plant two trees, one for me and one for you!
- Download an offline version of google maps – this won’t show you the hiking trail, but it will show you your location if you get lost.
- I would recommend setting off early in the morning to avoid the heat of midday, make sure you take suncream and a hat, and put on mosquito spray
- Pack plenty of water as there’s no where to top up along the route. I always travel with an insulated re-usable bottle to keep my water cold and to save on single use plastic. Make sure you also pack some snacks – ask your hotel or guesthouse if they can do a packed breakfast or lunch for you. The hike is roughly 10km will take approximately 2-4 hours depending on your fitness level and how long you stop for
- Listen for trains! As I mentioned, they are loud and slow, so you should be able to hear them well enough, but maybe don’t wear headphones during these sections!
- I would recommend trainers or hiking shoes as you will be walking on uneven terrain and in long grasses
- There can be leeches in the long grass, so long trousers are recommended.
If you enjoy being out in the hill country, another great option is Nuwara Eliya, a small town surrounded by tea plantations, waterfalls and hiking spots.
