Explore the magical town in Hill Country, Sri Lanka
Here are some essential information down to plan a trip to this beautiful town, and the best things to do and see in Ella town,
Visit Nine Arch Bridge
This iconic bridge in Sri Lanka has become famous for striking arches and its sudden presence in the midst of the dense jungle surrounding Ella.
There are several ways to get to the Nine Arch Bridge from Ella town centre. One way is to walk along the train tracks from the Ella train station. I know this sounds like the least sensible advice ever – but it’s really wide either side of the tracks and not that dangerous at all. The trains aren’t very frequent and you certainly hear them coming so you can head to the side.
Another way is to take the path the meanders away from the start of the Little Adam’s Peak hike. It isn’t really signposted at all, but plenty of locals will direct you in the right direction towards to the Nine Arch Bridge.
We walked to the Nine Arch Bridge from here, and back to town along the train tracks, and found both walks stunning.
The views at the Nine Arch Bridge are stunning, no matter where you stand – each and every view point is spectacular. You can walk underneath the arches by walking down and exploring the tea plantations below. You can of course walk across the top of the bridge and you’ll find small cafes serving up tea and snacks at both ends of the bridge.
If you really want the famous Sri Lankan blue and red trains to be going across the bridge for a photo opportunity, you can check the times in advance. Sri Lankan National Railways website is a good place to start.
Arrange your tour to Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak in advance!
Hike Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s Peak is a stunning hike, and is definitely the easiest and most accessible hike to do in Ella town. This beautiful hike starts just outside of the town centre, by the 98 Acres Resort entrance. The Little Adam’s Peak hike takes around 30-40 minutes to reach the top and isn’t too challenging. The route is well-marked and easy to follow. Once you’re at the top, where the Buddha and mini temple are located, I’d recommend walking along the trail that continues ahead to have picture-perfect ledges to take photos from.
We did the hike at around 9am in early May. We enjoyed a hot and clear morning hike, with views stretching across the rolling hills. If you can get up for sunrise, we’ve seen stunning photos of Little Adam’s Peak at this time too.
Hike Ella Rock
If you’re up for a bit more of a challenge, then definitely consider hiking Ella Rock whilst in town. This is definitely a tougher hike, but visitors are rewarded with stunning scenery and magical vistas across the tea plantations. This hike takes around 3-4 hours from Ella town centre/the train station. I would start the Ella Rock hike either early in the morning, or in the early afternoon, so you don’t do this hike in the dark.
Explore Ella and the surrounding area by train
One of the most popular activities to do in Sri Lanka is travel on its world-famous trains. Ella is an excellent starting point for some of the island’s best train rides. The most popular train route is Ella to Kandy (or Kandy to Ella), which takes around 8 hours. This route can be broken with stops in towns such as Nuwara Eliya, which is another beautiful town in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. Make sure to check this guide on the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya if you do choose stop there.