Trail Head: Bridge over “Hariyawa Dola” stream, Lankagama, Neluwa

Nearest Town: Neluwa                Nearest City: Deniyaya

Access to Trail head:

Route to Hariyawa Dola, Lankagama

Route1: Colombo-> Kalutara -> Nagoda -> Mathugama -> Horawala -> Meegahathenna -> Palawatta -> Neluwa (Take left turn at bridge overGinRiver, 1 km before Neluwa town) -> Kosmulla -> Lankagama (approximately 130KM)

Route2: Colombo->Galle-> Udugama -> Hiniduma -> Neluwa -> Bridge overGinRiver(1 km from Neluwa town on Palawatta road) -> Kosmulla -> Lankagama (approximately 180KM)

Last few kilometers of Neluwa-Kosmulla-Lankagama road can only be tackled with a serious four-wheel drive at present. Road construction work is underway and hopefully the road will become drivable soon.

Trail End: Ura Wetuna Ella (waterfall)                Total Length: 1 km

Elevation Gain: Negligible (Elevation at Trail Head: 220m | Elevation at Trail End: 263m)

Approximate time: 1.5 hours

Hiking Season: Best months are December to April. July, August is also fairly dry. Avoid monsoon months.

Permit Required: NO

Lankagama is a remote village in southernprovinceofSri Lankasituated at the boarder of sinharaja rain forest. One of the most interesting natural attractions in the area is the presence of a complex of beautiful waterfalls with in less than 1 square kilometer area with in SinharajaForest.

You can see four major waterfalls and one small waterfall during this hike. The waterfalls are Brabhmana Ella, Dhuwili Ella (Lankagama), Gal-Oruwa (Rock Chasm) Ella and Ura-Wetuna Ella.

0 to 350m: The trail starts off from the small bridge (a concrete slab) across the stream “Hariyawa Dola” (waypoint:LG01), in Lankagama village, about 1km before the Lankagama School when traveling from Neluwa towards Lankagama, on Neluwa-Kosmulla-Lankagama road. From this point, one of the waterfalls (Brahmana Ella) can be clearly seen. Starting from the bridge walk about 10m towards the Lankagama village and locate the trail in to forest through a small tea field on the left side (waypoint:LG02).

Continue to walk along the trail. After about 100m from the road, the tea field will end. You can see the stream and the waterfall (the one which was seen from the bridge) on your left side. Trail splits in to two at this point (waypoint: LG03). Walk along the foot path towards the stream (Left branch).

The trail on to your right which goes uphill, climb straight up to the last waterfall “ura-wetuna Ella”. You can use this trail to climb down quickly, once you reach the last waterfall after visiting all waterfalls.

When you walk a short distance along the left branch you will reach an open area (waypoint: LG04). You have now climbed up to the top of “Brahmana Ellla” fall which you observed from the bridge at the trail head. Passing the open area continue to walk along the foot path. The footpath ends at the stream at a place where there is a small dam built across the stream to feed a micro-hydro plant (waypoint: LG05).

Cross the stream along the small dam. When you look up stream from this point, you can see that two streams are meeting at a point which is few meter up stream from the dam. You will also see a small waterfall which is about 10m high, on the left hand side stream out of the two. This is “Thattu Ella”. Walk between the two stream and reach “Thattu Ella” (waypoint: LG06).

350 to 650m: Cross the stream at LG06 and climb up to the top of the “Thattu Ella” fall (waypoint: LG09). Continue to walk about 50m along the left bank of the stream until you reach a large waterfall. This is “Dhuwili Ella” (waypoint: LG10).  After this you should walk back to the bottom of “Thattu Ella”, cross over to the right hand branch of the stream and walk along the right hand branch upstream to reach two more waterfalls.

650m to 1km: Walk along the left bank of the stream on the right side. As you climb you will notice that you are climbing a large, wet slab rock. As you climb about 150m you will see a large rock chasm and a large water fall above crashing in the narrow rock chasm. This is the base of “gal-Oruwa” fall ((waypoint: LG14)

Since it is almost impossible to climb along the edge of the chasm you will have to cross over to the right side bank, climb up a bit in to the forest and walk up until you reach a point were there is an opening towards to stream at a point above the chasm and the waterfall (waypoint: LG16). When you look upstream from this point you can witness the magnificent sight of the “Ura-wetuna Ella” which is crashing on to a large slab rock.

Tips, Notes & special remarks:

• This area of the rain forest is heavily infected with leaches. Take necessary precautions such as wearing leach proof socks or carry a repellent such as soap or Detol.
• Water from streams flowing in the forest is safe to drink without treatment. Water is so plentiful in this trail and you can safely leave your water bottles behind!
• Extra caution must be taken when walking along the flowing streams. Wet rocks can get extremely slippery and an accidental fall can be fatal.
• Even during the dry months occasional heavy showers can be experienced. It is always a good idea to carry rain coats and a plastic bag to protect electronics.

Way Points

Trail Head: Pitadeniya Conservation Centre, Deniyaya

Nearest Town: Pallegama                     Nearest City: Deniyaya

Access to Trail head:

Route to Pallegama

Route1: Colombo -> Rathnapura [100km on A4] -> Pelmadulla [19km on A4] -> Madampe [13km on A18] -> Rakwana [11km on A17] -> Suriyakanda [19km on A17] -> Deniyaya [37km on A17 & 1km on B99] -> Pallegama [5km]

Total distance from Colombois 205km

Route2: Colombo -> Galle [120km on A2] -> Deniyaya [81km on A17 & 1km on B99]  -> Pallegama [5km]

Total distance fromColombois 207km

From Pallegama, two routes are available to PCC.

Route1: From Pallegama take right turn to Mederipitiya Road, drive 4 km along Mederipitiya road to reach Mederipitiya (N: 06° 20‘ 51.1” E: 80° 29‘ 58.1”). Cross a narrow bridge and drive 1.5km. You cannot drive beyond this point (N: 06° 21′ 19.0’’ E: 80° 29′ 29.5”). Park your vehicle here and walk 1.5 km along Lankagama foot path and cross “Gin Ganga” river to reach PCC.

Route2: From Pallegama continue along the same road 2.7km further without turning right to Mederipitiya road. At this point there is an anicut (irrigation canal gate). Take the right turn to the jeep track from this point. This 10.2 km jeep track will take you to PCC.

Note that the last 5 km of this track is an extremely challenging and you should NOT attempt this route without a serious 4WD (or a farm tractor!) and a very experienced driver. There is a stream crossing which is impossible to pass during when it rains. We do not recommend this road simply because it is much easier and faster to take route1 even though it involves some walking.

Trail End: PathanOya Falls            Total Length: 2.1 km

Elevation Gain: Negligible (Elevation at Trail Head: 238m | Elevation at Trail End: 331m)

Approximate time: 1 – 2 hours

Hiking Season: Best months are January to March. July, August is also fairly dry. Avoid monsoon months.

Permit Required: YES. Permit can be obtained from the Pitadeniya Conservation Center (PCC).

Trail to “PathanOya Ella” falls is one of several nature trails from the Pitadeinya Conservation Centre in the southern tip of Sinharaja Rain forest. This area of Sinharaja forest encompasses several beautiful waterfalls. Walking the trail described here will let you observe two of them, “Kekune Ella” falls and “PathanOya Ella” falls.

The trail goes along the bank of the Gin Ganga, which boarders PCC, for a brief length and then along PathanOya River, a branch of “Gin Ganga” river, up to the waterfall. PathanOya merges with “Gin Ganga” slightly upstream from PCC.

0 to 300m: To enter the trail, cross Gin Ganga from PCC (waypoint: KP00) and get on to the Mederipitiya – lankagama foot path. As you enter the Lankagama foot path (waypoint: KP01), take left turn towards Lankagama village (the right turn will take you to Mederipitiya). Walking 300m along the footpath, the trail divides in to two branches (waypoint: KP011). The left branch is to Lankagama village and you should continue along the right branch.

300m to 600m: As you continue along the right branch, the foot path will gradually become a narrower nature trail. You are surrounded by the Sinharaja rain forest, one of the bio-diversity hot-spots in the world. This 300m section is pretty much flat and fairly easy to walk.

At about 600m from the trail head, you will reach another “Y” division of the trail (waypoint: KP02). While both right and left branches will take you to the waterfall (they merge 200m from the fall), taking the left branch, which goes along the river bank, will let you see another smaller waterfall called “Kekuna Ella”. Therefore the rest of this guide will describe the trail along the river bank (left branch).

600m to 1.1km: As you walk forward from KP02, trail becomes more irregular. From this point onwards there will be small climb ups and climb downs. There will be obstacles such as tree roots and boulders typical for trails in ever green rain forests.

At 1.1 km from the trail head, you will reach a point where you can see another stream merging with pathanoya creating a small waterfall called “Kekuna Ella”. (Waypoint: KP03).

1.1km to 2.0km: Passing waypoint KP03 walk further along the trail. The trail continues along the bank of PathanOya for about 500m more from KP03. At this point (waypoint: KP04) you have to cross a small stream. After crossing the stream, trail start to move away from the river bank and climb towards the waterfall. About 200m before the waterfall (way point: KP041) the two trail split at KP02 merge.  200m from KP04 you will reach PathanOya falls (waypoint: KP05).

Tips, Notes & special remarks:

• This area of the rain forest is heavily infected with leaches. Take necessary precautions such as wearing leach proof socks or carry a repellent such as soap or Detol.
• Water from streams flowing from the forest is safe to drink without treatment.
• Even during the dry months occasional heavy showers can be experienced. It is always a good idea to carry rain coats and a plastic bag to protect electronics.

Way Points

Trail Head: Kosmulla Ticket Office, Neluwa

Nearest Town: Neluwa                Nearest City: Deniyaya

Access to Trail head:

Route to Kosmulla Ticket Office

Route1: Colombo-> Kalutara -> Nagoda -> Mathugama -> Horawala -> Meegahathenna -> Palawatta -> Neluwa (Take left turn at bridge over GinRiver, 1 km before Neluwa town) -> Kosmulla Ticket office (approximately 120KM)

Route2: Colombo->Galle-> Udugama -> Hiniduma -> Neluwa -> Bridge overGinRiver(1 km from Neluwa town on Palawatta road) -> Kosmulla Ticket office (approximately 170KM)

Kosmulla Ticket office is accessible by any kind of a vehicle

Trail End: Siththara Gal-Lena (Cave)                  Total Length: 1 km

Elevation Gain: Negligible (Elevation at Trail Head: 103m | Elevation at Trail End: 262m)

Approximate time: 1 hour

Hiking Season: Best months are December to April. July, August is also fairly dry. Avoid monsoon months.

Permit Required: YES. Tickets should be bought from the Ticketing office at Kosmulla

The southern boarder of Sinharaja rain forest has a large number of waterfalls and beautiful streams hidden in it. Kosmulla – Duhuwili Ella – Siththara Gal Lena (Cave) trail is a walk along a stream which create one of the largest waterfalls in Sinharaja, the “Kosmulla Dhuwili(duwili)-Ella”.

Note that there are four waterfalls in Sinharaja with the name “Dhuwili Ella”. They are “Kosmulla Dhuwili Ella”, “Morning Side Dhuwili Ella”, “Lankagama Dhuwili Ella” and “Kudawa Dhuwili Ella”

Even though this trail is a short one (just 1 km) the sections where you have to walk along the stream can be quite interesting and challenging.

0 to 400m: As you start the hike, you will have the luxury of a paved trail with neat cement steps leading you to the top of the water fall (Dhuwuli-Ella). The water fall has three distinct levels (drops). The paved trail takes you up to the top of the third level on the right hand side bank of the stream. At the top of each level there is an observation walk way where you can reach water (waypoint: KD02, KD03, KD04). The climb is steep but the cement steps make it easy to climb.

Once you are at the top of the third level of the waterfall (waypoint: KD04) you have walked 100m from the starting point. From this point locate the narrow trail towards your right with a steep climb. Once you climb up for about 40m you will reach somewhat flat open area (waypoint: KD06).

From this point onwards you should walk along the trail through scrub/open area until you reach a small dam constructed across the stream (waypoint: KD08).

400m to 680m: From the point you reached the stream, you have to walk about 250m up stream. Walking along the stream can be quite challenging. Occasionally you will have to climb on fair sized rocks and boulders in the stream. Walk until you reach a point where two streams combine in a “Y” formation (waypoint: KD11). Once you reach KD11, walk along the left branch of the stream for another 30m until you find a trail moving in to the forest on the left bank of the stream. At this point get out of the stream and start walking along the trail.

680m to 1km: When you walk about 50m from the point you got out from the stream, you will pass a small cave (waypoint: KD12). Walk about 30m passing the small cave and cross a small stream (waypoint: KD13). After you cross the stream the trails enters an open area. Walk through the open area for about 30m. The trail again enters a forest patch from the open area. As you walk about 30m more in the forest patch you will have to make a right turn  after a slight ascend to keep on the trail (waypoint: KD16).

As you walk about 100m more through the forest, the trail will move close to a stream again. Note that the trail does not go a cross the stream at this point. Instead it continues in to another open area towards left. (Waypoint: KD17). Walk across the open area from about 40m, walk another 40m through the forest and find the cave on the right side after crossing a small stream (Waypoint: KD19).

Tips, Notes & special remarks:

• This area of the rain forest is heavily infected with leaches. Take necessary precautions such as wearing leach proof socks or carry a repellent such as soap or Detol.
• Water from streams flowing in the forest is safe to drink without treatment. Water is so plentiful in this trail and you can safely leave your water bottles behind!
• Extra caution must be taken when walking along the flowing streams. Wet rocks can get extremely slippery and an accidental fall can be fatal.
• Even during the dry months occasional heavy showers can be experienced. It is always a good idea to carry rain coats and a plastic bag to protect electronics.

Way Points