“Oh look, a waterfall!” We would hear these words being cheered with the utmost excitement as we take a trip up the gorgeous hillside of Sri Lanka. The rush would remain the same, even as we pass the tenth waterfall cascading amongst the lush greenery of the surrounding. It seems that spotting a waterfall to a naturalist is the rough equivalent of a puppy with a bone. There are over 400 waterfalls in Sri Lanka, so we won’t be able to list all of them, but we decided to cover the most picturesque and famous Sri Lankan waterfalls that you should definitely chase.
Baker’s Falls:
Baker’s Falls is one of the biggest attractions in Horton Plains and in Sri Lanka. It is on a tributary of the Belihul Oya in the famous national park. The falls were named after British explorer and big game hunter, Sir Samuel Baker. Although it is only 20m in height, it is one of the widest in the country, and one of the most breathtaking. While it is an easy climb that doesn’t require any hiking experience, it could be quite slippery in the rainy season, so be mindful of that.
Bambarakanda Falls:
This is a big one. Literally. It is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka, reaching a whopping 263m. It is ranked at number 299 in the highest waterfalls in the world. The waterfall was formed by Kuda Oya, which is a branch of the Walawe River, and is situated in Badulla, just 5km away from the A4 highway. There is no access to the pool at the base of the waterfall but the downpour can be spotted from a little road that climbs up the hill. Bambarakanda looks at its most impressive after the rains but is even harder to get to due to the mud.
Laxapana Falls:
Laxapana Falls is 126m high and the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is situated in Maskeliya area in Nuwara Eliya District. This waterfall is as important as it is beautiful, as it forms a part of the source of energy for the Laxapana water plant. It is wonderfully misty, has a deep base pool and only requires a short hike. What’s more, you could even go to the Laxapana Dam and the Hydro Power Station.
Bopath Ella:
An absolute stunner of a waterfall, Bopath Ella gets its name from its uncanny resemblance to a leaf from the sacred Bo Tree. A fun fact about this waterfall is that there’s mystery tied to it, as locals believe that it is haunted and has a hidden treasure trove. No wonder it’s such a famous tourist attraction in the country. It is situated in the Ratnapura District of Sri Lanka, close to a mining village and is quite easy to reach. It is also safe to swim in the pool at the base.
Ravana Falls:
Another famous tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, Ravana Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in the country. It gushes down a height of 82 feet falling from an oval concave rock. You can walk to the top and take a swim there, but do be careful. The waterfall can easily be spotted from the road too. It has connections to ancient legend, folklore and mythology. If you take a train ride to Ella (and we strongly suggest you do), this will be at the top of your itinerary.
St.Clairs Waterfalls:
Easily one of the most mesmerizing waterfalls in the country, St.Clairs is one that you could watch from afar or take an excursion to, and still enjoy it just the same. It cascades down verdant tea plantations and is truly a sight to behold. It happens to be the 20th tallest in the country. Your instagram followers will all be in envy as you snap photos of this gorgeous waterfall.
Photos sourced from Amila Kanchana, Samantha Weersasinghe, Rebecca W, Reza, Indi Samarajiva, Juavenita
