Ella Rock is one of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque vistas. We knew we wanted to go hiking when we arrived in Ella, and as soon as we saw photographs of Ella Rock, we knew we had to go.
Ella Rock, on the other hand, is a difficult trek to complete, owing to the absence of clear path guidance. We hiked Ella Rock without a guide, following the directions provided by our accommodation, but it was still a difficult walk.
I’ve explained the exact twists and routes you’ll need to take to reach the Ella Rock top in this guide. You’ll be able to hike Ella Rock without getting (too) lost if you follow these directions. So let’s get started!
The Ella Rock walk is around a 10km round trip that might take anywhere from 3-5 hours to complete. The terrain isn’t very difficult, but the difficulty comes from following a route that isn’t properly indicated.
Our hostel really advised us not to heed the signs since they had been purposefully placed to lead us astray.
The plan is that you will follow the wrong signals, become lost, and then a kind local will volunteer to take you to the summit in return for money.
The path he subsequently chooses is usually lengthier and more difficult, so you don’t realize how simple it may have been even without a guide. It’s a challenging trek, but the wonderful panoramic views make it well worth it.
Ella Rock should be hiked early in the morning or late in the afternoon. It is really hot in Sri Lanka throughout the day, and you don’t want to be hiking in the sun.
But don’t leave it until late in the afternoon. We set off at 3 p.m. and ended up rushing back down because we didn’t want to be caught on the railway tracks in the dark.
Ella Rock may certainly be hiked without the assistance of a guide. You may be perplexed at times, but simply follow these directions and you will be OK.
The trek was separated into three major components by me. The first segment takes place on the railroad tracks. You leave Ella train station and walk along the railroad tracks to Kithalella.
When they originally informed me I had to walk on the train tracks, I was a little concerned, after all, trains pass by here all the time! You do not, however, need to be concerned.
The train to Ella is quite picturesque, which means it moves slowly and is not particularly often. You’ll be able to hear it long before it happens.
If a train comes by while you’re on the tracks, simply leap off the tracks and into the grass on the sides. Locals and tourists alike walk on the tracks, and you will encounter a large number of other people.
After roughly 20-30 minutes of walking on the rails, you will arrive at Kithalella station. Continue down the railroad tracks.
The first fork in the road will be after the bridge. There is a trail on the left that climbs sharply through tea bushes, and a path on the right that round this little hill.
There are signs pointing to the proper road that state “This way to Ella Rock,” “The RIGHT Way to Ella Rock,” and other similar messages. I know it is counterintuitive, but disregard these!
These are the signals I stated before that will lead you astray, causing you to become lost and necessitate the hiring of a local guide.
Instead, follow the left way through the tea plants. The tea bushes will soon be replaced by thick grass. Keep going, you’re on the right track!
The path across the dense grass is very straightforward. You should take the main track, which is slightly more trodden and wider. Smaller pathways and branching go into people’s homes and farms.
You’ve accomplished the most difficult section of the hike once you’ve passed through the thick grass! The third leg of the Ella Rock trek is more physically demanding, but geographically clear.
After around 30 minutes of walking through the long grass, you will reach a more rocky environment with trees. Continue upward through the woods until you reach a level area.
This is a middle-ground point of view. It isn’t as high as the summit and doesn’t offer complete 360° views, but it’s still a wonderful place to rest.
Take a deep breath and a sip of water; you’re nearly there!
From the intermediate viewpoint, you will be at the bottom of a steep hill with many trees. All you have to do is keep moving higher. There is one major path at the bottom, but as you climb, the pathways become more tangled.
There isn’t a single route, but rather a network of small trails that zigzag up among the forest. As long as you’re heading upward, you’re on the correct track.
You’ll know you’ve made it when you’re out of the trees and onto the next plateau. The pinnacle of Ella Rock is marked with a small cottage and a Sri Lankan flag. Now sit back and take in the scenery.
It took us two hours to reach the top of Ella Rock. We made a few false turns, but we always rectified ourselves before going too far.
We may have squandered some time here and there, but we were mainly on the right track. Ella Rock was a favorite of mine.
Despite the challenges in locating the path, I appreciated the challenge and sense of adventure. The views from the summit of Ella Rock were spectacular and well worth the effort.
What struck me the most about the sights was how near the other mountains seemed. It didn’t seem like a typical trek where you’re elevated above the surrounding hills and sceneries.
When you look down over the edge of Ella Rock, you can see the valley and other hills surrounding you.
We walked Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak on the same day, and I honestly don’t know which was better. Both treks were very magnificent. Overall, it was a fantastic day!
In general, no, you can walk Ella Rock without a guide. We did it without a guide, and even though we got lost in the tea fields, we ultimately found our way.
We were, nevertheless, a group of four persons. If I had been traveling alone, I would have either joined a tour or sought out a local guide.
It’s ultimately up to you whether you want to go on a solo adventure or avoid getting lost in the Sri Lankan countryside.
In addition to trekking Ella Rock with a guide, it also takes you to Little Adams Peak and Nine Arch Bridge, Ella’s other key attractions.
It’s a wonderful alternative for folks on a short schedule who want to see all of the key Ella attractions without getting lost on one walk.
Finally, you don’t want to pack too much on this trek because it might be difficult. However, you must bring the following items:
Solid hiking shoes – you should always wear suitable footwear when hiking, but especially on this terrain. At one point, a scorpion crossed the walkway in front of me, and I almost stepped on it; it wouldn’t have been great if I’d done it in flimsy shoes.
Make sure your water bottle is filled! The stainless steel bottles are my favorite since they keep the water cool. There are a few shacks offering food and water here and there, but bring enough with you.
Snacks — As mentioned above, there are several shacks along the railroad lines and in the early tea bushes parts of the path, but bringing your own is preferable.
Sunscreen — the Sri Lankan sun is merciless, no matter what time of day you take this trek. While hiking, you don’t want to get sunburned.
Hat – As mentioned above, pack a hat to provide shade and protection from the sun.
We slept at the Hangover Hostel in Ella. We liked it so much that we changed our reservations later in the trip to stay at another Hangover Hostel in Mirissa.
The dorms are spotless, with nice mattresses, large lockers, and a large communal area. It’s also conveniently positioned near the Ella railway station, making it ideal for all of your walks and evenings in town.
Mountain Heavens is an excellent choice if you don’t want to stay in a hostel. This hotel boasts an infinity pool with a view of the hills and is also half way down the tracks. A fantastic starting point for your Ella Rock walk!
We hope you will be able to reach the Ella Rock top on your own by following these directions.
