If you love to hike and find yourself in Ella, Sri Lanka, then you should definitely check out the hike to Ella Rock. This hike takes you to one of the highest points in Ella with breathtaking views both along the way as well as at the summit. This post covered everything you need to know about hiking to Ella Rock
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Table of Contents
What is the Ella Rock Hike?
The Ella Rock Hike brings you to one of the highest points in the town of Ella where you can see all of the surroundings hills and valleys. This hike is considered to be one of the best things to do in Ella. The hike takes you through some beautiful scenery, from lush rice fields to verdant tea estates. You will climb up some gradual slops and rocky terrain until you come to a turpentine forest and finally the summit of Ella Rock.
How Long is the Ella Rock Hike?
This depend on where you start the hike from. I will cover more about this in the step by step section below.
- Ella Station – 10 KM out and back
- Kithal Ella Station – 5.5 KM out and back
It took me 45-50 minutes to get up to Ella Rock starting from Kithal Ella station but I am a fast hiker. It was definitely a fast hike up and we didn’t stop for any breaks. 1.5 hours is a reasonable time for most people starting from Kithal Ella station. Most people take 3-4 hours for the round trip including time spent on top.
Best Time to Hike Ella Rock?
The best time to hike Ella Rock is during the dry season which runs from December to March. This being said, Ella is located at what is considered Sri Lanka’s hill country and it can rain anytime, so check the weather app before you go even during these dry months. It’s definitely possible to hike Ella Rock during the other months too. I hiked Ella Rock in April and picked a morning when it was not raining to hike up. There was of course water on the trail and small streams flowing down from the rocks but just be careful and you should be fine!
From a time of day perspective, it is best to hike Ella Rock either at sunrise or just after. It get’s very hot by mid-day so try to avoid going at that time. I was sweating even at 4:45 AM!
Cost to Hike Ella Rock
The cost schedule for the Ella Rock Hike is as follows:
- Local Adult – Rs. 75
- Local Child – Rs. 40
- Foreign Adult – Rs. 930
- Foreign Child – Rs. 470
The payment booth is right on top and unfortunately there is no way around it. You have to pass this booth to get to the most scenic part of the hike (the very top).
Ella Rock Hike – Step by Step
Step 1
Getting to the Trail Head:
You have 2 choices when it comes to getting to the trail head. You can either start at the Ella station or at the Kithal Ella station. Starting at the Ella station 1. adds more time and distance to your hike and 2. adds more time you will spend walking on the railway track.
Ella Station – At the station, turn left and walk to the end of the platform. Then get down to the tracks. If the gate to enter the train station is closed, then head to the left side of the tunnel outside the station and head to the tracks from there. Keep walking on the tracks until you get to the Kithal Ella station.
Kithal Ella – From this station, turn right onto the tracks and keep walking on the tracks for a bit.
Lookout for the way markers on the left side of the track. Just past 166 1/2, you will need to make a sharp left.
Step 2
Keep walking until you pass a small foot bridge with gushing water on either side. Once you cross this bridge, you will have to take the path to your left (you can take the right too but the left is slightly more straight forward).
Step 3
Continue walking past all the tea plantations.
Step 4
The path will begin to gently climb now and you will find yourself stepping on a rocky path through a covered forest.
Step 5
You know you are almost at the top, when you pass a forest of turpentine trees.
Step 6
At the top of the turpentine forest is the booth where you will have to pay the fee. Once you pay the fee, you can go to the open area and you are now on top of Ella Rock.
Sunrise Hike to Ella Rock
If you are planning on doing the Ella Rock hike during sunrise, then I highly recommend that you start at Kithal Ella station. Sunrise is around 5:45 AM to 6:15 AM depending on the month and you will have to start early in the morning. I started a little past 4:30 AM and got to Ella Rock around 5:15 -5:20 AM and waited for the sun to rise. I’ve done challenging hikes like the Inca Trail and Everest Base Camp and I am an experienced hiker and can hike with little to no breaks. You may want to give yourself a little more time if you are not an experienced or fast hiker.
One reason I recommend starting at Kithal Ella vs. Ella is because you will be hiking on a railway track in the pitch darkness for several kilometers if you start in Ella.
Once you starts walking on the tracks just passing Kithal Ella station, make sure to keep an eye out for the 166 1/2 way marker on the left hand side of the track. You will have to swing a sharp left just passing that mark.
Please be careful on the way up in the dark. The terrain is uneven with tree roots, rocks, and if it has rained mud, and even streams of water.
One thing about the sunrise hike is that you miss all the beautiful scenery on the way up because it’s dark so keep some extra time on the way down to enjoy the views!
Is the Ella Rock Hike Hard?
As I always say, “it’s relative”. The hike is considered challenging but it’s relatively short (meaning it’s not a full-day or multi-day hike). You should be more than fine if you have a decent level of fitness. Even if you don’t, just take it slow and take breaks. It’s not technical by any means. If you can put one foot in front of the other, you should be more than fine!
Do You Need a Guide?
Well it depends on your comfort level. If you are by yourself and hiking in daylight then I don’t think you need a guide. If you are hiking for sunrise but with other people, you may be ok also. I was by myself and did the sunrise hike and I was SO glad I had a guide with me. I absolutely would have never found my way up the hill in the absolute pitch darkness without the guide who took me up.
My guide was also able to find an alternative route when a villager told him the regular path was closed due to a tree that had fallen across the path. Again, not something I would have been able to navigate on my own in the dark.
My guide’s number is +94769475663. He is a very nice and kind soul and will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation too. He was eager to show me various spots and lookouts and took lots of pictures for me. Overall I had a very pleasant experience with him.
Your accommodation provider can also find you a local guide too.
Alternatively, you can also book the tour below.
What to Wear and Pack
- You definitely need a good pair of sturdy shoes. Sneakers should be fine but I always prefer to hike in proper hiking shoes. It had rained quite a bit when I went and it was muddy and there were streams of water flowing through the trail making the rocks very slippery.
- You may want to bring rain gear like a rain jacket if it’s rainy season.
- Plenty of water
- A snack or two
- Sunscreen and a hat or cap
- If you are hiking for sunrise, you may also want to bring a light hoodie or jacket
- A headlamp or flashlight or a well charged phone with a flashlight app for sunrise
Tips for the Ella Rock Hike
- Start from Kithal Ella train station to shave off some time off the hike (and save your legs some walking).
- If you are hiking during sunrise, and starting from Kithal Ella, you may have to arrange for transportation the night before from Ella to the Kithal Ella station.
- Check the weather app before you hike and go prepared.
- Download offline maps.
- Take cash for the entry fee.
- Be on the lookout for leeches, especially if it’s rainy season – long pants wouldn’t be a bad idea!
- Take plenty of water .
- Be careful on the train tracks. Don’t walk with your airpods or music on.
- Be careful of touts who may misguide you or try to send you down the wrong track.
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