Joanna James
Home to some of the island's most breathtaking cascades, Nuwara Eliya is a dream destination for nature lovers with a penchant for stunning waterfalls. From well-known hotspots to off-the-beaten-track waterfalls, here's a rundown of the must-visit cascades in Sri Lanka's mountain hideaway.
Tipped to be among the area's most iconic waterfalls, the Lovers Leap Falls is associated with many a romantic legend. Locals believe the cascade earned its name due to a prince in Nuwara Eliya falling in love with a charming village girl and their tragic love story ending in both the young persons jumping off this mammoth waterfall to their demise as they were not allowed to be together by the king. Regardless of this rather harrowing back story, the water from the Lovers Leap Falls is used in a local enterprise of making Nuwara Eliya beer which is brewed in the area itself.
Earning its name from the hero of the epic Ramayana, the Rawana Ella Falls also holds the distinct honour of being the widest cascade in the entire island. Frequented by visitors of all ages, the towering falls gushes down from an impressive height of 25m. Conveniently located a mere 20 minutes away from Ella, this particular waterfall is one of the easiest to reach in Nuwara Eliya.
Surrounded in a shroud of mist and tropical foliage, Glen Falls is perhaps the most aesthetically appealing waterfall in the region. Ideally located within walking distance of the heart of Nuwara Eliya city centre, the waterfall and its immediate vicinity are often used for camping, picnicking and adventure hiking activities. The mysterious ambience of the area is what makes Glen Falls a big hit with travellers in search of a tranquil tropical oasis to enjoy a trekking or hiking excursion.
Named after a coffee planted of the same name, Devon Falls is not only one of Nuwara Eliya's best-loved cascades but also the highest waterfall in the whole of Sri Lanka. Measuring in at 97m the waterfall is encircled by large rocks and is difficult to reach without hiking boots. Locals, however, are aware of easier paths that lead to the foot of the waterfall. Those based at Galway Heights or any other Nuwara Eliya 5 star hotel can join an organized tour to explore the waterfall.
St Clairs Falls is rightly known as the" little Niagara of Sri Lanka" due to the shape of the waterfall and its impressive height of 80m. Ideally situated a mere 3km away from the centre of Nuwara Eliya, the waterfall is surrounded by tea estates.
With water gushing over pink-hued purple rocks, one could hardly conceive of a more picturesque waterfall than the Bakers Falls in Nuwara Eliya. Named after famed English explorer named Samuel Baker, the best time to visit this particular cascade is during the dry season as the rainy months cut off the route to this waterfall while also making the path too slippery and dangerous to navigate.
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