In this article, we mention two alternative vehicle routes to upcountry hills via Karawanella, Kothmale, and Pundaluoya, starting from Colombo, rather than the traditional Nuwara-Eliya route via Kandy or Ella.
Route Number 01
1. Colombo
2. Awissawella
3. Dehiowita
4. Karawanella
5. Kithulgala Water rafting
There are
several water rafting spots in Kitulgala. You can have a better water rafting
experience from the experienced experts here, who conduct rafting on this
Kelani River.
6. Laxapana Waterfall
This is one of the stunning waterfalls in Sri Lanka. There are two ways to reach it.
1. From Diyagala junction
Diyagala Junction is located in Watawala area on Colombo-Ginigathhena-Hatton main road. At Diyagala Junction, turn towards Norton Bridge Road. Along this road, you will encounter Dehigastenne, Norton Bridge, Kiriwaneliya and the 04th Mile Post Junction. Turn right at the 04th Mile Post Junction towards Laxapana Waterfall, and continue for approximately 2.2 kilometers to reach your destination. Between Norton Bridge and Kiriwaneliya, you can find a unique and remarkable landmark known as the 0’s milepost. It is the only 0’s milepost tower in Sri Lanka. The journey consists of nearly 17 kilometers from Diyagala junction to the waterfall.
2. Kalugala junction
This junction is located between the towns of Yatiyanthota and
Ginigathhena on Colombo-Hatton main road. Turn towards Polpitiya road at
Kalugala junction. Continue along the road and turn right at Bodigara junction
in Polpitiya. The road is much more challenging. It's nearly 18 kilometers to
the destination from Kalugala junction.
Kelani
River flows through Laxapana waterfall, originating from Samanala Mountain also
known as Sri Pada mountain. Laxapana waterfall is the 8th highest waterfall in
Sri Lanka, standing at 126 meters in height.
7. Ginigathhena Town
Ginigathhena
is one of the most stunning towns in Sri Lanka.
8. Nawalapitiya
9. Ulapane Fool’s bridge
This is one
of the most valuable bridges in Sri Lanka, built-in or around 1904.
Why is this bridge so special? It features a rare upside-down design, making it unique in the world. However, some people believe that the uncommon bridge structure presents a problem, leading to its nickname, "fool’s bridge". Mahaweli River is flowing under the bridge. No one is crossing the bridge, it has become difficult to even enter.
10. Kothmale Dam & Information Centre
You can
view the dam from both Thispane and Kadadora mountains. However, in this article,
we will focus on the information from Kadadora viewpoint, located on the road
towards Ranamune and Pundaluoya from Ulapane junction.
The dam,
which spans 600 meters and connects Kadadora and Thispane mountains across
Kothmala Oya, is a remarkable feature of this route. At the midpoint of the
dam, you can see Ramboda waterfall and Karnagala mountain peak point which is a
very popular camping spot.
Kothmale Dam information center is located approximately 600 meters away from the dam towards Ranamune on Ulapane - Pundaluoya main road. All the information about the project is available at the center.
11. Dehadukadulla Historical Point
This is a historical place, further, a historical gate. When Prince Dutugemunu entered Kothmale village through this gate as a single person, it is said that he hid his sword at this gate. The gate is situated nearly 200 meters away from the information center towards Ranamune.
12. Ranamune Raja Pihilla
What a beautiful place!
Visitors are also allowed to bathe there.
13. Dunsinane Falls
This
waterfall is one of the most stunning and attractive waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
It is located in Pundaluoya village, just 3 kilometers away from Pundaluoya-Kothmale
main road. The waterfall is formed by Pundaluoya River, which is a tributary of
the Kotmale Oya.
14. Upper Kothmale Dam
This hydroelectric power station is the third largest in the county, with a capacity of 150MW generated by two 75MW turbines. The water released from the Upper Kothmale reservoir flows directly into the Kothmale reservoir. The dam was opened in 2012.
15. St.Clair Falls viewpoint
The St.
Clair waterfall is one of the stunning waterfalls in Sri Lanka, located a short
distance from Thalawakelle town towards Hatton. Following the Upper Kothmale
Dam’s completion, the waterfall’s water level dropped. However, it currently
releases a single water outlet to function the waterfall.
16. Nanu-Oya Waterfall
What a beautiful scenery!
Situated in
Nanuoya village. Nearly 1.3 kilometers away from Nuwara-Eliya – Hatton main
road. You can see the railway track above the waterfall.
17. Glassaugh falls
Just a few away from Nanu-Oya waterfall.
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Here are some breathtaking spots that you can
see along the road.
Route Number 02
How does
this route differ from the 01st route?
This route
has an amazing waterfall path between Karawanella and Nawalapitiya towns,
but is otherwise the same as the first one.
In the first route, we headed to Kitulgala from Karawanella junction. But on this route, we are heading to Bulathkohupitiya from Karawanella junction. Turn onto Dedugala road at Bulathkohupitiya junction and you'll encounter one of the most wonderful roads in Sri Lanka, adorned with numerous waterfalls.
1. Weladha Ella waterfall
2. Rikili Ella waterfall
3. Nalagana Ella waterfall
4. Rukmal Ella waterfall
5. Dedugala town
6. Diyagiri Ella waterfall
7. Palampitiya Viewpoint
8. Windsor forest waterfall
9. Dolosbage town
10. Dethiri Ella waterfall,
then,
11. Nawalapitiya town
In this
route also we pass through Nawalapitiya once again, just like on the first route.
