From Kandy, I took a train to Nanu Oya, where I hopped off to visit Nuwara Eliya, a small town located between Kandy and Ella with great hiking places. I was originally planning to head straight to Ella, but all the train tickets were sold out so I ended up staying a couple of days in Nuwara Eliya but it actually turned out to be a great decision. :)
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya was beautiful. I didn't expect to see tons of tea plantations and waterfalls. My homestay was very close to one of the waterfalls, called Lover's Leap Waterfall. I saw a lot of tea plants on my way up and saw people harvesting tea plants. Some people were handpicking tea plants. It was a rural area, but I loved how I was able to see "the real" Sri Lanka in the rural area. I also visited local markets and stores and saw the daily life of Sri Lankans. Nuwara Eliya is underrated and I highly recommend visiting while heading to Kandy or Ella.
Train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
Traveling from Nuwara Eliya to Ella by train was not as great as I expected. Many people told me that it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing to do in Sri Lanka, but it is overestimated. I took the train on different routes, and they were just as good as the one from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. To avoid crowds, I think it is fine to take the bus. Sometimes buses run more frequently and are on time than the trains, making them more reliable. Make sure though to take a train at least once when you are in Sri Lanka. An unforgettable experience!
Ella
Ella Rock
This was one of my favorite hikes in Sri Lanka! The hike itself was easy, but the views were stunning. I couldn't catch the sunrise since it was a 45-minute walk to get to the trailhead from my homestay, and I would have to walk on the railway in the dark, which is NOT safe. (I didn't want to get hit by the train at night.) I had to walk on the railway to get to most of the hiking places that were on my list but I couldn't find any paved pedestrian paths. Other than that, walking around in Ella felt very safe and getting to the trailhead was easy!
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Cost: Pay at the top; 930 lkr for adults, 470 lkr for children; I think you don't need to pay to get good views. There are some great viewpoints along the way to the top.
Notes: Cute puppies and goats on the way up! It's a super animal-friendly trail!
Little Adam's Peak
I tried catching the sunrise here. I didn't have to walk on the railway, so it was safer than other hikes. Unfortunately, it started raining when I reached the top so I couldn't catch the sunrise. It rained heavily on my way down, but I was so lucky to have an umbrella that I borrowed from my homestay host the day before my hike. I still enjoyed my hike and the views.
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Cost: None
Notes: Some stairs to hike up to the top, but it is not too bad. Catch sunrise or sunset here!
Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge was built during the British colonial era, so the bridge had a European vibe, which was very interesting. I had to walk on a railway to get here, but I felt safe as many people were also walking on the railway. I saw a train on the bridge when I was exploring! What a perfect timing!
Hiking in Ella was a great experience. My homestay host was very welcoming and it was close to the hiking areas. It was a bit touristy than I thought but being in nature was an awesome experience.
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