How to hike Ella Rock by yourself

If you are looking for a place to leave behind the noise of the city traffic, the smell of fuel and smoke while treating yourself to a stunning view with the type of weather that feels like a comforting hug, then you are looking at the right option to head to Ella. There are some activities in life that you must try on your own to be able to make the best of it and hiking Ella is definitely one of those activities.

How to get there

If you planning on taking public transport your best option is to take the train to Ella. This will start your journey on a lovely note as you will get to see the stunning view as the train guides you to the upcountry of the island. Ella Sri Lanka is a popular tourist destination so there are bound to be several people who might be visiting Elle in order to go on a hike. However, if you are travelling alone there are many signs and guided posts that will make it easy for you to find Ella rock once you disembark the train at the Ella railway station.

What to expect

There are many places to visit in Ella such as the Nine Arches Bridge, the Rawana Falls, and the Little Adam's Peak but the hike to the Ella rock is undoubtedly the most common activity. There are two ways you can take in order to start the hike to the Ella rock. One of the options is quite underdeveloped even though the hike is rather popular among tourists and locals so, you need to remember that the pathway is not groomed and tidy. There is high grass growing on either side of the footpath and there are some locations where the path is not visible and you will have to make your way through the bushes and trees. While this is not a location that is maintained well there are some helpful souls who have marked the directions on trees and rocks so the next bunch of travellers can find their way. If you do wish to take the more trodded on the route you can go to the Ella city and then take a walk across the This is going to expose you to the locals and their culture as well as allow you to enjoy time trying out some local food and drinks.

Remember

The best time to embark on the journey is in the morning hours. If you are staying the night in the area then you are at an advantage as you can take on the hike in the morning hours and reach the summit before the sun reaches its peak. When the sun is out the surrounding is rather hot and humid and will tend to make you feel tired faster than usual, so climbing down can be done in the sun but make sure to climb the rock in the morning hours around 6 to 7 am. Like on any hike remember to pack the essentials such as plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellant. While there might be locations at the beginning where you could have a cup of tea or a snack this will depend on the route you decide to take. Wear long clothing and take jackets and coverups that can be zipped up. This will come in handy when you have to walk through tall grass patches so you can zip the jacket on but remove it when required. If you are planning on taking up the task during the rainy season you must be cautious of leeches. It is possible that you may encounter many leeches during the rainy months of the year but you will hardly come across any of them during the sunny days in Sri Lanka. While you are on the hike, remember to take plenty of pictures and make sure you have a wonderful time enjoying the stunning view.