Tea Country Trail OLD 18 Ella To Demodera 2

by Miguel Cunat
4 years ago
Near Ella, LK

68 views

This hike is mostly downhill or flat is very family friendly with kids over 10. The hike starts at the Ella Train station and ends at the Demodera Train station. If you were to do the train in reverse its a bit of a climb. Even though you will see people walking on the train line we would strongly advise against this. Anyhow, the walk across the countryside, the paddy fields and the villages is far more interesting.

As you leave Ella town walking along the Passara Road look for a track that forks to the left. Follow the train through the Ella Forrest Reserve for approximately 2 KM at which point you will see the nine arch bridge. This is a popular trail. You will be sure to meet a few other hikers on their way to or from the Nine Arch Bridge. The bridge is hauntingly beautiful.

This exceptional Nine Arches Bridge in Demodara, known as the bridge in the sky is 80 foot high, and 300 feet long. The bridge was built during the colonial period in extremely challenging times as the original materials meant for creating it such as steal were allegedly relocated by Britain to resource the Great War. So instead this Hitchcock like structure that has inspired many an epic photo shoot of trains crossing the Nine Arch Bridge, that was in the end only made out of stone, brick and cement.

You dont need to cross the actual bridge, just cross over the railway line. You will have the bridge to your right and the tunnel to your left. Depending on the time of the day there may be a group of tuk tuk drivers parked there who will no doubt offer you a lift back up to Ella. Follow the trail on your GPRS to navigate your way down through this residential area all the way to the paddy below. The views are fabulous all around. You will loose approximately 100 meters of elevation in 1 KM.

The next 1.5 KM are on a mix of a dirt and concrete road, a little up and a little down through countryside with simple homes to your right and paddy to your left.

At the 4.1 KM point you see a small path to your right that heads off alongside a small canal waterway towards the paddy. Follow the trail but be careful, its very thin. Within 200 meters you will reach a point at which the trail does a right dog-leg and then takes you over a small river. Hike up to the small road which is only 30 meters away. The hike takes you through the backyard of a friendly family home. If the dog barks wait for a minute looking at him directly - the locals will tame it and allow you to cross. As soon as you're on the road you're well on your way. This path takes you all the way to the main Spring Valley - Demodera - Badulla road and then onto Demodera Train Station. One you reach the main road, if you follow this path Demodera Train Station is only 700 meters away.

If this sounds stressful then at the 4.1 KM point head straight and you will soon reach the Spring Valley - Demodera - Badulla. Turn right and head to Demodera which is 2 KM away. Just follow the road.

If you are doing this trail as a day trip from Ella you might want to ask your driver to pick you up at the Demodera Train Station, or take a tuk tuk back. Even better, take the train. You will find the train times here.