Ella is a small hill town in Sri Lanka's southern highlands that punches well above its weight. Perched at about 1,000 metres, it sits in a gap in the mountain wall where the land drops away dramatically to the southern plains — a view that on clear days stretches all the way to the coast. The town itself is little more than a single main street, but the setting is extraordinary.
What draws people here is the walking. Ella Rock, Little Adam's Peak, the Nine Arches Bridge — these are not strenuous hikes, but they reward you with the kind of views that make you understand why the British chose these hills for their tea plantations. The surrounding countryside is a patchwork of tea estates, jungle, and waterfalls — Ravana Falls and the higher Diyaluma Falls are both within reach — and you can spend several days exploring without running out of trails.
The train ride to Ella is half the point. The Kandy-to-Ella railway is one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, winding through tea country, across bridges, and through tunnels for seven hours. Many travellers time their arrival to ride this route, and they are right to do so.
Ella has grown considerably as a backpacker destination, and the main street now has plenty of cafes, restaurants, and guesthouses. It can feel busy in high season, but step off the main road and you are immediately in quiet hill country. The climate is cool and pleasant year-round, a welcome relief after the lowland heat.