Top peaks and waterfalls in Uva Province

Explore the dramatic landscape of Sri Lanka's Uva Province, centered around the mountain town of Ella. This collection features the country's second-highest waterfall, Diyaluma Falls, alongside the sheer 880-meter drop at World’s End in Horton Plains National Park. Engineering highlights include the Nine Arches Bridge and the Demodera Railway Spiral, where the track loops under itself. Hiking trails lead to viewpoints atop Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak, offering panoramas of the Ella Gap and surrounding tea estates.

Top Peaks and Waterfalls — Map

Manon Martin / CC-BY-SA

A

Little Adam's Peak

Also known as Punchi Sri Pada, this 1,141-meter peak features a moderate hiking trail through tea plantations. The summit offers 360-degree views of the Ella Gap and the southern plains.

Velayutham Mathivannan / CC-BY-SA

B

Rawana Ella Falls

A 25-meter cascade tied to the Indian epic Ramayana, where King Ravana is said to have hidden Princess Sita in a cave behind the falls. The site is located directly beside the A23 highway.

C

Ella Rock

A steep cliff offering a vantage point over the Ella Gap. The trek involves walking along railway tracks and climbing through eucalyptus forests and tea estates to reach the summit.

D

Diyaluma Falls

Standing at 220 meters, it is the second-highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. The lower viewpoint is accessible from the Wellawaya-Beragala road, providing views of the main vertical drop.

Simona Pecková / CC-BY-SA

E

World's End (Plate 1)

A sheer precipice within Horton Plains National Park with a vertical drop of approximately 880 meters. It is best viewed early in the morning before mist obscures the vista toward the Indian Ocean.

F

Nine Arches Bridge Viewpoint

Overlooks a colonial-era viaduct built entirely from stone, brick, and cement without the use of structural steel. The bridge spans 91 meters at a height of 24 meters between Ella and Demodera.

G

Dunhinda Falls

A 64-meter waterfall on the Badulu Oya river, named for the smoky spray created by the water's force. It is accessible via a 1.5-kilometer jungle trail from the entrance gate.

H

Upper Diyaluma Falls

The top section of Sri Lanka’s second-highest waterfall, featuring a series of natural rock pools and smaller cascades. It is accessible via a downhill hike from the village of Poonagala.

I

Demodera Railway Spiral

A unique piece of civil engineering where the railway line loops around a hill and passes through a tunnel directly beneath the Demodera station to manage the steep elevation change.

Other Lists

Uva Province Essentials Scenic Peaks & Waterfalls