There is not much to the village itself. An attractive scatter of cottages and bungalows enclosed in neat, flower-filled gardens, it preserves, for the time being at least, a pleasantly low-key atmosphere despite the number of foreign tourists passing through. Its gentle trails, viewpoints, and village feel make it an easy fit for a Sri Lankan family adventure trip.
Increasingly rapid and uncontrolled development around the edges of the village is beginning to threaten its peaceful rural charm. The single street meanders gently downhill, past assorted guesthouses and a scatter of cafés, before reaching the edge of the escarpment, just below the Grand Ella Motel. From here, there is the classic view past the towering bulk of Ella Rock on the right and through a cleft in the hills, the so-called Ella Gap, to the plains far below.
There is also a small Buddhist temple on the road here, where passing motorists stop and donate a coin for good luck before negotiating the treacherously twisting highway to Wellawaya, which descends into the sheer-sided valley below.
Walking up Ella Rock
The most rewarding and most taxing hike around Ella is the ascent of the majestic Ella Rock, which looms over the village and makes an adventurous addition to a Sri Lanka cultural tour.
It’s around a four-hour hike in total, with an interesting mix of rail track, tea plantation, and some steep sections near the summit. Carry food, water, and good footwear, and take care in wet weather, when tracks can get slippery.
Be aware, too, that mist and rain can descend quickly at the top. There are several different possible routes. Most begin by following the rail line south out of the village, then taking one of the various paths that strike off up the rock.
If you're planning a trip to Sri Lanka, don't miss our Sri Lanka itineraries and information on how to get there. And if you want to learn even more useful information for your upcoming trip to Sri Lanka? Read our travel tips for travelling to Sri Lanka.
