Laxapana falls – Maskeliya, Nuwara Eliya
This beautiful waterfall is popularly associated with the hydro-power plant as the water from here is used to generate electricity in Sri Lanka. Laxapana Falls is 413 feet high and is the 8th highest waterfall in the country.
Getting to Laxapana Falls is a 4 hour drive from Colombo and the easiest route to get there is to go via Malabe, Avissawella, Ginigathena and then get to Norton Bridge. It is difficult to get there with public transport. An easier option is to hire a private vehicle through one of the many tour agencies in Sri Lanka as there is a lot of driving around involved.
St. Clair’s Falls – Nuwara Eliya
Commonly seen on the Hatton-Talawakelle road in Sri Lanka’s beautiful hill country, the twin St Clair’s Falls is the widest in the country. Cascading over 3 rocky outcrops and surrounded by beautiful tea gardens, this waterfall is a picturesque site indeed.
Ravana Falls – Ella Highway
Another one of the widest falls in the country, Ravana waterfall is also a popular sightseeing attraction in Sri Lanka. The 25 meter high waterfall is visible from the Ella railway station and can also be seen during your hike to Mini Adam’s peak in Ella.
Aberdeen Falls – Nuwara Eliya
The 322 foot tall Aberdeen Falls is very close to the popular Laxapana Falls that we spoke about earlier. But you’ve got to have some intense energy levels if you want to get to both waterfalls in a day. Aberdeen Falls has got two ‘pools’, the more beautiful one being the bottom one. Be extremely cautious when walking through the rocks in each pool as they are extremely slippery.
Sera Falls – Matale
The rainy season is when this waterfall is in full bloom, giving it the best views ever. Getting to Sera Falls is quite easy from Mini World’s End and requires private modes of transport. While the views are picture perfect, the pool is incredibly deep so be careful if you don’t know how to swim. The atmosphere at Sera Falls is quite peaceful actually as the pool is set amidst walls of rock and trees with the water smoothly flowing into rocks below.
Diyaluma Falls – Batticaloa Highway, Koslanda
Hikers will love this location of Diyaluma Falls that is set a little way from Ella. The climb takes you through beautiful fields of lemongrass that acts as a natural air freshener. Stand at the fall head and look down 263 meters for a stomach churning view indeed! A few rock pools connect to the base pool of Diyaluma Falls but it is very dangerous to be in during the rainy season.
Thudugala Falls
This waterfall lies in an estate that was once owned by a British national, wherein which a bungalow still remains. A village known as Thudugala in the Kalutara District is where the beautiful Thudugala Falls are located. Bathing here is very refreshing as the natural swimming pool is surrounded with plants, creepers and birds. Look out for the tunnel here that runs under the waterfall and comes out from the top corner of the falls.