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Sri Lanka
Uva Province
Ella
Things to Do in Ella
Nature Trail Ella
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Nature Trail Ella

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See all things to do
Nature Trail Ella
4.5

Top ways to experience Nature Trail Ella and nearby attractions

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
42 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
12
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Katja B
Antibes, France30 contributions
Great Hiking
Oct 2019
We had a wonderful time hiking up there. Be careful don't go left, just after the bridge as some women will tell you. Just walk a little further and turn left into the tree garden. This way it is much easier to find the path and you will not be hazled from so called guides.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
138500423
Pune, India2,085 contributions
Green Nature Paradise in Srilanka: Kandy to Ella Train Journey
Dec 2014 • Solo
Kandy to Ella train journey: 6 hours journey thru scenic mountains with amazing picturesque green paradise. Meter gauge train maximum speed 30 KPH.

It is amazingly most splendid, most spectacular, most picturesque, most scenic train journey of my life. One should not miss it at all, while in lanka. The real actual beauty of Ella place & Kandy to Ella train journey is too scenic than in photos. Best time to travel is July to January. Those who are the true lovers of nature & wish to see green nature at its best must undertake the journey from Kandy to Ella or vice versa by train. Even if you ignore other tourist spots of lanka it is ok but do undertake this train journey, I repeat do undertake this train journey. Trains of this route have AC, 1st, 2nd & 3rd class coaches. Except 3rd class rest all the classes can be booked on same day or 1 or 2 weeks in advance. Old trains have special class coach called “Observation Car” – the most preferred class for this journey. Trains have maximum 8 coaches. Observation car is the last coach of the train. The ultimate rear of train (observation car) has full glass window. Other two sides of observation car have big window glasses compared to all the other classes therefore one gets a complete 180 degree view of rear picturesque scenery. That is the reason it is the most preferred class & always full. So ensure you book well in advance.

Two types of trains:
1. New Chinese built trains blue color: These trains do not have “observation car”. I travelled from Kandy to Ella in 2nd class. Trains starts at 10.30 am & reaches Ella at 5.45 pm. 2nd class seats are more spacious & windows are bigger as compared to 1st class so prefer travelling by 2nd class. Ticket fare is 600 LKR.

2. Old Trains: These trains have “observation car”. I travelled in AC class coach which is privately owned by Rajdhani & one more AC class coach is owned by Exporail. Price is 1150 LKR. I travelled by this train from Ella to Peradeniya which is a station 20 minutes before Kandy as this train does not go via or to Kandy. Train starts at 10.30 am from Ella at & reaches Peradeniya at 5.45 pm. AC class has free WIFI, TV, sockets. Food & soft drinks at extra cost. I had rice, dal & two fruit juice it costs 800 LKR. Two nicely dressed & polite waiters are there in the coach to serve. I was the only passenger in the AC class.

Things to ensure before starting journey:
1. Choose & book observation car preferably if not available then go for 2nd class ticket as mentioned above. Don’t try to book ticket online because you land up paying 2 or 3 times the actual ticket fare. Online ticket is available thru agencies & not thru Srilankan railways website. At the time of booking or reserving the ticket, you don’t have to fill any forms. You pay money at the booking or reservation ticket counter & you get the ticket.

2. If you are travelling in 2nd class ensure your smart phone is fully charged / camera battery is fully charged & you have spare battery or power bank to take care of photography / video for 5 hours. At times you will be continuously engrossed in taking the photos or videos of the scenic beauty enroute Kandy to Ella or vice versa train journey.

3. At Kandy railway station you get fast food & soft drinks at the small food stall. If you are in 2nd class, then you won’t get such items or other food items or soft drinks in train or at other railways stations. So ensure you carry sufficient food items & drinks to take care of your 6 hours journey.

4. Most important, in Srilanka you should maintain train ticket with yourself till the exit gate of the destination station. At your destination station, you have to handover the ticket to the ticket collector otherwise you won’t be allowed to exit the railway station.

Hope this information will help you plan your journey in the best way. Wish you all the best for seeing the The Green Paradise in Srilanka.
Written October 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nrm77
London, UK1,115 contributions
Beautiful hills, treks and views
Jan 2018 • Friends
Ella is a great place to hike and trek for some incredible views of the mountains, hills and waterfalls in Sri Lanka. To set expectations though, people should be aware that Ella has no major chain hotels. It is full of guesthouses and small BnBs, and you shouldn't expect 5 stars. It is a backpacker haven, and on the main street, you will see lots of backpackers in the bars and cafes. BUT having said all of that, the beauty, scenery and hikes are great, and once you reach the end, the treat is a stunning view of the greenery and mountains. On the way between Nuwara Eliya and Ella you will go on a road that even takes you above the clouds (if it is a cloudy day). One should definitely go if you are into trekking and nature trails! Monkeys everywhere as well.
Written February 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Naz R
Singapore, Singapore39 contributions
Ella is not for everyone
May 2016 • Couples
My first impression of Ella, when I was brought there by my guide was -- Gosh, I am literally in the sticks! I could not see what the rave reviews were about, but then again, to each his own. All I could see were dense forestation, tons of flies and insects circling me and treacherous treks which caused me to lose my balance many times and I had a real fear of slipping and breaking my neck on muddy slopes. There was none of the clean air and silence as the animal calls are pretty loud. This is probably only a good attraction for very fit folks, or those who love a jungle like atmosphere or trekkers and adventure seekers. It is NOT for a traveller who is looking for a relaxing holiday and hate trekking and climbing. Do check with your travel advisor what exactly you will be doing in Ella if its part of your itinerary. I much rather prefer Nuwara Eliya - its pretty and spruced up and lovely for a stroll and the tea plantations are spectacular. I just wish I had spent my day in Nuwara Eliya rather than Ella.
Having said that, we lunched at Mountain Heaven hotel and had a great view of the Ella Gap, which is beautiful. Ravana Falls is ok too, but then, one does not have to go to Ella to visit waterfalls. Other than that, if like me, you hate trekking and being in deep forestation like environment, this is not for you and staying in Ella, no matter what your travel advisor says -- should be avoided. Travel companies tend to assume that all travellers enjoy the same thing when in Sri Lanka. Hence Ella is always worked into the itinerary. Let them know if you are not keen on staying in such an environment or visiting such an attraction.
Written May 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abhijith_Ravindra
Bangalore, Karnataka, India99 contributions
Fantastic hike
Aug 2015 • Friends
Was a very good exp. We reached to this Trail after finishing Ravana cave temple. When we came down, there were guides waiting for us to hire them and also gave us some false information on the route to Ella Rock. He mentioned it would take 5-7 and the routes are very confusing, but we wanted to try it out ourselves. So we left to the Trail without a guide and there is no place that we got stuck or found lost. The Trail straight and simple. It will lead you to a house first and then you need to cross the tea plantations and then you reach to a place where a small girl sells tender drinks and tea. This is the junction of 2 ways to Ella rock. From there on, its gets more and more thrilling.
Written September 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glen F
Sydney, Australia52 contributions
Hike to Ella Rock
My wife and I and two teenage daughters (16 and 17) spent great 3 hours (mainly in mist and rain) hiking up to Ella rock. Spectacular views from top over Ella.

Pass top of rawanna falls on way there, walk thru tea plantation, bush and forests.

Take a guide as paths can be hard to follow.

Part of walk is along train track which was also pretty cool.
Written December 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bevuong1985
Hanoi, Vietnam16 contributions
Natural trail walk
Nov 2015 • Solo
We had 9km walk there, it was so amazing in Ella,. That was first time I explore natural trail .. I feel like I was in highland in Europe.. I wish I can visit there again.. I love that so much!
Written November 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janelf23
St. Petersburg, Russia85 contributions
Nature, tranquility and beauty
Jun 2015 • Solo
The perfect place for a stroll. Wonderful scenery, clean air, silence and solitude. Track easy suitable for families with children. Very beautiful place in the county Ella rock here and the forest and tea plantations and waterfalls.
Must see!
Written December 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sherry_dissa
Colombo, Sri Lanka616 contributions
Green Trails
Dec 2018 • Friends
Ella is a most biutiful tea land and also historical Ravana story.there are so beautiful mountains,waterfalls and also tea hills also.
Written December 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret C
Colombo, Sri Lanka18 contributions
Ella
Sep 2017 • Couples
Good place for young people who like to climbing,walking and relaxing, there's very good restaurants and many guesthouses for very reasonable price but most of the guest houses they don't provide driver accommodation so if you are going with driver or guide you have to take care of them
Written September 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Nature Trail Ella - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Very Good Reviews

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