Waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya – Mother Nature's most fascinating creations

Baker's Falls is a fine example of why height does not really matter when it comes to the beauty of a waterfall. Located inside the eerie Horton Plains National Park – en route to Worlds End - the waterfall has many levels to it and watching the water cascade from rock to rock is certainly a mesmerizing sight. On a lucky day, you might even come across the elusive purple faced monkey which lives in the vicinity of the waterfall. A visit to Baker's Falls and Horton Plains are definitely one of the top things to do in Nuwara Eliya.

Towering to almost one hundred meters in height, the Aberdeen Falls are a sight to behold. While the Norton Bridge Dam has reduced the influx of water to the waterfall, it still has enough of a volume to put on a show, unless of course, you are dropping by during the droughts. Named after Aberdeen, the 3rd largest city in Scotland, the path to the waterfall is a bit bad and you might have to walk up to the last bit. Poisonous snakes such as vipers reside in the area so be careful of yourself.

The tallest of all waterfalls in Sri Lanka, the Bambarakanda Falls rise up to a height of two hundred and fifty-one meters. Surrounded by lush foliage and pine trees on all sides, the falls seem right out of a novel and is quite easy to get to. It is located around five kilometres from the A4 Highway, so getting there should not be too difficult. Most hotels such as Amaya Langdale should not have any difficulty arranging a tour of the waterfall should you wish to take a peek at it.

Although only thirty meters high, the waterfall is quite ferocious and nerve wrecking to look at. Fed by streams from the tallest mountain in the country, the water of the waterfall is used as drinking water by the locals. The name of the waterfall is derived from an ancient folklore which says that a prince and his lover immortalized themselves at this very waterfall. The superstitious villagers avoid the area after nightfall.

Referred to "Little Niagara Falls" by the locals, St. Clair's Falls is one of the most charming waterfalls you will come across. Cascading over multiple levels, it is considered the widest waterfall in the country. It is a bit away from Nuwara Eliya and can be spotted by anyone passing through the Hatton – Talawakelle highway. Surrounded by tea estates on all sides, one has to walk through tea plantations to get to the foot of the waterfall. Although the proposed Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project will affect the influx of water to the St. Clair's Falls, the government has agreed to supply a limited volume to preserve the waterfall.