Trail Difficulty: Easy | Moderate | Strenuous | Tough

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