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Uva Province
Ella
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Ella Rock
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Ella Rock

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See all things to do
Ella Rock
4.5
2,019 reviews
#2 of 19 things to do in Ella
Geologic Formations
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9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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Top ways to experience Ella Rock
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
136 within 3 miles
Lanka Restaurant
230
0.4 mi$ • Asian • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly
River Face Restaurant
30
0.5 mi$ • Asian • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly
Udayanga Pub Ceylon
24
0.5 mi$ • Bar • Asian • Pub
Rawana Cave Cafe & Cookery Class
2
0.5 mi$ • Asian • Sri Lankan
Ella Mount Heaven
88
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly
Cafe Dew Ella
14
0.6 mi$ • Chinese • International • Asian
Cafe Guru
448
1 mi$$ - $$$ • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Raha Ella Sri Lanka
380
1 mi$ • International • Asian • Russian
AK Ristoro
1,724
1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Fusion • Sri Lankan
Center Point Cafe & Lounge
231
1 mi$ • Cafe • Asian • Healthy
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Attractions
19 within 6 miles
Little Adam's Peak
5,530
1 miMountains
Ella Spice Garden
584
1.1 miGardens
Ravana's Cave
217
0.4 miCaverns & Caves
Nine Arches Bridge
2,756
1.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
Ravana Ella Falls
2,128
1.2 miWaterfalls
Kinellan Tea Factory
143
1.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Ella Black Pepper And Cinamon Garden
3
0.7 miGardens
Ella Train Journey
32
1.2 miScenic Railroads
Ella organic tea garden
10
1.1 miFarms • Gardens
Demodara Loop
136
Points of Interest & Landmarks
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,019 reviews
Excellent
1,421
Very good
514
Average
68
Poor
9
Terrible
7
Ulrikbuchert
Odense, Denmark487 contributions
Perfect views through the Ella Gap
Jul 2022
One of the best hikes in Ella - of course we wanted to climb Ella Rock. We arranged a guide and were quite happy to have him, as there were not that many people on the trail and we could have easily gotten lost many places along the way (and we're seasoned hikers). Once on the top of the rock there are great views almost 360 degrees. We started at Kithaella Train Station, and the whole hike (up and down) took about 2 hours.
Written July 2, 2022
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.
Jacob I
Los Angeles, CA10 contributions
Great hike with an amazing view!
Dec 2021 • Couples
Amazing hike with some of the best views imaginable of Ella. I highly recommend getting a guide, as the trail isn’t obvious or straightforward and the hike starts on some railroad tracks, so it’s good to have a local who knows the train schedule. The whole hike takes about 2 - 3 hours. I made the mistake of not respecting the elevation and needed to take a longer rest than normal from exertion. The second half is fairly vertical and requires some decent work. We started around 8am and it’s wasn’t too hot. The sunrise views require getting started about 5am. If you’re not keen on the sunrise then a 7am start should afford a more comfortable hike experience. The main peak has a water vendor and amazing views, but be sure to walk along the ridge for a second vista. There are very cute trail dogs who will do the hike along with you, too.
Written December 19, 2021
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.
Sophie Barrett
Manchester, UK14 contributions
Great hike - but we did get lost!
Mar 2020 • Couples
My husband and I decided to go up for sunrise on our own, as we were told it was easy without a guide. We did get quite lost at first, but this was mainly because of a cheeky local confusing us. They want to show you the way so you pay them a guide fee, so they tell you you're going the wrong way / your map is wrong! We ended up turning left too soon so we went a route without a path which wasnt ideal but we made it with the help of some stray dogs! We missed sunrise but it didn't matter. If you want to make it up for sunrise you would need to set off about 4am, and I think it would be best to get a guide as finding the route in the dark was hard. You need to keep going past the train station until you get to a path which takes you across a bridge over the water. Then it's a clear path!
The views were incredible and it was only us up there (about 7.30am). When we were leaving some locals were setting up a stall and gave us some fruit and wouldn't take any money from us! They sell water and coconuts up there too incase you don't have any.
The route down was super easy and you couldnt really get lost. It was starting to get pretty hot so I would definitely recommend going early, the views are better then too.
A must do hike whilst in Ella! You can do it guide-less in day light, just stick to your route and you will be fine :)
Written March 5, 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.
tdewolf
Chiang Mai, Thailand51 contributions
Hike up to Ella Rock near Ella
Jan 2020 • Couples
For avid hikers this is a must do when you visit Ella. You can walk three kms along the railway tracks to the first station (westbound) and then carry on for ten minutes or so (along the way you go over a nice train bridge) until you reach a dirt path off to the left (it is a hairpin turn) that leads to a small bridge over a picturesque creek. Follow the path up through a tea plantation until you reach a split in the path. Keep right (there was a volleyball net set up between two trees). Go under the net and carry on via a path through different scenery including long grass and then rocky climbs among the trees up to the top. There were other people on the hike so could not really get lost. We did not use a guide but others did. You could also take a train to that first station (Kithalella) for ten rupees and save about three kms. It was fun o do that if you get the train timing right. The view was spectacular and well worth the strenuous scramble that took about an hour and a bit. If you have any mobility issues, you would have major problems scrambling up and down (also strenuous). Great spot for a selfie with the amazing vista in the background. Total time for the hike from Kithalella station was about four hours.
Written January 20, 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.
Rohan Dias
156 contributions
Ella rock ,rocks
Jun 2022 • Friends
From ella railway station one must walk on the railway track towards kitala ella railway station. after passing kitala ella railway station,on to the right side there is a white building (a hostel)JUST BEFORE this building turn left , walk over the bridge and turn right and then hike for miles. There are 3 view points close to each other. 1st one is good and the 2nd one is near the woodnd house and not so good.3rd one is to the right from the 2nd one and easily the best

From ella railway station it took us 3 hours to the 3rd view point and about a hour and a half for the wayback

Do check the train schedule from ella station as it can be dangerous to walk on the railway track

The view is awesome from the 3rd view point and a must do in ella
Written June 11, 2022
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.
Mark S
Windsor and Maidenhead, UK85 contributions
A rocky road to an amazing view!
Jan 2020 • Couples
Ella Rock is a great hike & so worth it... but it’s very easy to get lost due to mischievous locals and lack of signage! We started in Ella town and followed the railway for around 30 mins. Was nice to see local lady selling coffee on the side of the railway where she heated the water over a fire - we got ourselves a nice milk coffee to power us!
Once we got into Kital Ella Railway Station (the other Ella Station), the trickster locals came into force. We had heard about this so didn’t fall for it. After passing through the station, you must continue walking for around 8 mins until you see a little turning on the left (seems like you’re going back on yourself) —> over the bridge —> up the hill —> turn right and follow. We turned left and ended up on the completely wrong incline! Luckily found our way in the end!

There are juices and coconuts for sale at the top to enjoy with a great panoramic view of the beautiful Ella scenery!
Written January 30, 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.
Speranzasf
San Salvador, El Salvador130 contributions
Great adventure. A lot of fun!
Feb 2020 • Friends
In Ella you must go and hike it. 2 hours up and 1 hour down.

Great views along the way plus a great feeling of accomplishment when you reach the rock slabs at the top.

Anyone can hike this peak.

There are directions all the way.

You can start in Ella go to the top of the Ella Rock and descend in the train station before Ella. Hop on the train to go back to Ella. Then you ascend and descend in different places.
Written February 27, 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.
pat v
Belgium61 contributions
challenging climb but fantastic sights
Mar 2020
Although the owner of the hotel explained it well, we succeeded in missing the right path alongside the raiway track to start our way up. Anyway, each path to the left of the railway track (after 3 kms) goes up the mountain and you entcounter the right way.
As we both are 69 years of age, we did it slowly and had to wait many times to have our heart beat a bit slower. There are so much nice views and things to see in the woods that the trip as such is also very nice. Once on the rock, it is worthwhile to walk another 10 minutes to see another fantastic sight and a Buddha.
Written March 29, 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.
Tom M
2 contributions
Worth to see
Jan 2020 • Solo
Summit not so hard as most people declared. Just download a map with hike tracks and enjoy they journey :) be careful for train when You walk part of the road by railway. Also try to avoid help in guiding. Some locals can try to show You the shortest way. It will be shorter but After all they will ask for up to 5000 rumplies for this help even if it wasn’t You who asked for their help.
Written January 15, 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.
Stefana M
Cluj-Napoca, Romania33 contributions
Beautiful views of Ella hillside
Mar 2020
This place was really beautiful, we enjoyed it a lot. You have a lovely panorama of Ella and the hillside area. The hike itself is not very difficult, if you are in a good shape and love walking/hiking. In total it takes about 4h, depending on how fast you move and how much time you spend on pictures, resting, etc. The only issue we had was with the signs, which were kind of missing.
You need to go around 40 min along the train tracks, from Ella train station, to Kithalela train station, then another 10 minutes on the train tracks until you see a small shop on the left side which sells juices & fruits. After that store, you need to go another ~400m and take left, cross a bridge and walk through a tea plantation. The path gets a bit steep afterwards as you walk through an eucalyptus forest. From there in about 30-45 minutes you should get to the viewpoint. You should recognize it easily, as it's quite crowded and there are also some locals selling fresh juices.
Written March 15, 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.
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Ella Rock - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Ella Rock
Ella Rock is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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