Things to do in Deniyaya and the suburbs | Sri Lanka

Things to do in Sinharaja and Deniyaya | Patna Sliding Rock adventure  

Patna Sliding Rock, Sinharaja Rainforest and Deniyaya 

Sinharaja Forest Guide - Click Here 

How can I get to Deniyaya?

If you are coming from Colombo, take Welipenna interchange exit on the southern expressway, then follow the directions to Pelawatta, Neluwa, Morawaka, Kotapola, and Deniyaya. If you are coming from Galle, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna or Matara, there is a direct road to Deniyaya via Akuressa or if you are coming from Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Ratnapura or Ella, you need to go to Madampe junction and get directions to Deniyaya via Rakwana which is one of the most stunning roads in Sri Lanka.

Deniyaya Bus Station

Deniyaya Tourist Information Center

This is located next to the Bus Station.

Patna Sliding Rock

This location is located approximately 08 kilometers from Deniyaya town in the direction of Ensalwatta via Kosmulana junction. You can reach very close to Patna sliding rock by using your own vehicle or a motorbike, but it is recommended to use a four-wheel drive vehicle.  

The road is much more difficult to drive. Instead, there are two or three vehicle parking areas on the main road (Updated: May 2024). You can park your vehicle and walk approximately 2.8 kilometers from there. From a specific parking area, there is a shuttle service to the sliding rock if you are unable to walk. You can utilize this service for assistance. If you are walking, you need to continue along the main road and turn right at Kosmulana junction. Then, after the bridge, turn left onto the village road and the destination will be at the end of this road.   

 

You need to purchase a ticket from the ticket counter just before the sliding rock to enter the area. Restroom and clothes changing facilities are available. The entire journey takes at least 3 hours from Deniyaya town.

I highly advise against leaving Deniyaya without visiting Sinharaja.

It's best to spend the night at a cottage or a villa on Pallegama-Mederipitiya road, which is nearly 10 kilometers from Deniyaya town towards Sinharaja. There are numerous luxury villas and cottages in the area. This way, it is easy to start your walk at next day to Sinharaja early in the morning.

Below, will outline the easiest way to explore the rainforest, leading up to Kekuna Ella waterfall, where you can take a refreshing bath within half a day.

Pitadeniya Entrance to Sinharaja

To access this entrance, you need to park your vehicle at a private parking area owned by a villager before the entrance and walk about 200 meters to the Pitadeniya entrance. (Updated: May 2024) Alternatively, if you are staying nearby, you can park at your accommodation and walk to the entrance. The road is a single-lane concrete road.   

 

Pitadeniya Entrance ticket counter

You need to purchase tickets at the counter. Authorized travel guides are available at all the entrances and you must pick up a travel guide even if you are traveling alone.

Starting from Pitadeniya entrance, you will be walking along the border of the Sinharaja rainforest with Gin Ganga (Gin River) on your left-hand side as step 01. Our walking pathways are on the right bank of the river. Along the way, you will encounter small waterfalls, indigenous insects and animals as well.

Step 01 walking path ends at Wathugala entrance which is nearly 1.7 kilometres from Pitadeniya entrance. You don’t need to buy tickets again but you have to show the tickets you bought at Pitadeniya entrance to the ticket counter at Wathugala entrance.

There is a three-way junction on the path approximately 1.4 kilometers from Pitadeniya entrance before Wathugala entrance. You will find the below signboard at the location.

 

Sinharaja Conservation Center

If you take a left turn at the three-way junction, you will find the pathway to Sinharaja Pitadeniya Conservation Centre which is located on the left bank of the Gin River. There is a suspension bridge over Gin River that leads to the conservation center where you can find an information center as well.

Suspension Bridge

Conservation Center

You can even drive your vehicle up to here. You have to drive your vehicle from the unknown junction located on the Deniyaya – Lankagama road. If you are coming from that direction towards Sinharaja, you should park your vehicle at the Pitadeniya Conservation Centre. Then, you need to cross the suspension bridge from the left bank to the right bank of the Gin River and head to the three-way junction mentioned earlier. You need to purchase tickets at Wathugala entrance.

Wathugala Entrance

This is the next entrance to Sinharaja along our walking route, and it is also the entrance for people coming from Lankagama area. Why do we need to cross this entrance? because our route follows the border of the forest, and all the other entrances are connected to the border. We are still going on the border instead going inside of the forest because our destination, Kekuna Ella Waterfall is on the border.

Kekuna Ella waterfall is located just 500 meters away from Wathugala entrance.

How do you reach Wathugala entrance by your own vehicle?

There is a three-way junction next to Lankagama bridge towards Neluwa on Deniyaya – Lankagama - Neluwa road. You can get very close to Wathugala entrance by turning right at that junction. While you can ride a bicycle on that road, but cannot guarantee that a vehicle can pass through.

You don't need to worry about the junctions within the forest because a travel guide will always be there to guide you.

Our Destination, Kekuna Ella Waterfall

This waterfall is nearly 10 meters high and has an elevation of 276 meters above sea level. It is located on the border of both Galle and Matara districts. This is a safe place for swimming and guides will always be available to assist you. People also swim on the upper level of the waterfall, but the path to reach is much more difficult.

From Pallegama junction to Neluwa via Lankagama

This road is one of the most breathtaking routes in Sri Lanka, spanning nearly 25 kilometers.

From Pallegama junction, continue for 2 kilometers along the road and then turn right at a three-way junction onto a single lane road leading to Dambagoda Bridge. Follow this road for about 20 kilometers, passing through Lankagama, Warukandeniya, Madugeta, Thamabalagama Maithree Viharaya, Neluwa Doovili Ella three-way junction and continue on the Kosmulla-Lankagama road until you reach Neluwa bridge. (Make sure to turn right on Madugeta junction because there is a bridge on the left road but it is uncertain whether vehicles can pass through). It is better to ask someone on the road as the road may not be updated on the maps yet.

Tip: Turn on directions from Pallegama Junction to Neluwa and turn the travel mode to ‘Walking’ on Google Maps.

 

The road is safe and not difficult, and it is suitable even for the vehicles with low ground clearances. Along the journey, you will come across Lankagama entrance of Sinharaja and a waterfall called Brahmana Ella Waterfall, which is very close to the road.

Brahmana Ella Waterfall

 

There are three waterfalls near Lankagama entrance within the forest that you can visit: Thattu Ella Waterfall, Gal Oruwa Ella Waterfall and Doowili Ella Waterfall Lankagama. It's worth noting that there are two waterfalls called Doowili Ella in Sinharaja. Gal Oruwa Waterfall is the farthest from Lankagama entrance, located only 500 meters away.

There is a designated vehicle parking area available at the entrance. (Updated: May 2024)

                             

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Sinharaja | Sri Lanka’s only remaining undisturbed rainforest

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rainforest in Sri Lanka | Sinharaja Rain Forest 

The importance of a Rain Forest

Tropical rainforests are primarily found near the equator because the temperature surrounding the equator is high. As a result, the rate of evaporation is great and rainforests experience a lot of rain.  Rainforests can be found in South America, Central America and the island of Asia and Australia. Humans are dependent on rainforests for their survival and the environment is partly founded on rainforests. 

These areas are abundant in medicinal plants, food and forest goods. Rainforests protect 50 percent of the world’s flora, animals, birds, reptiles and insect species. Also it helps to maintain the regular rainfall. They also act as a deterrent to flooding, drought and erosion. It is responsible for a considerable portion of the world’s oxygen supply.

Sinharaja Rainforest

The Sinharaja is centrally located between the districts of Galle, Matara, Ratnapura and Kalutara known as south-west lowland wet zone. In addition, it is a popular tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. This is Sri Lanka’s only remaining undisturbed rainforest. Now it covers an area of 11187 hectares. It used to be 9000 hectares. 

The forest stretches approximately 21 kilometers between its Western and Eastern ends, and approximately 7 kilometers between its Southern and Northern ends. Rathnapura district contains 60% of the forest area.

Natural boundaries of Sinharaja

From the north end there is a waterway called, ‘Nakola Dola’ and a river known as ‘Kosgulana’. From the south end, there is a waterway known as ‘Mahadola’ and a river called ‘Gin Ganga’. A canal known as ‘Kalukandaawa’ and a river known as ‘Pitakele’ can be found at the Western end. And the Morning side state is located in the eastern end of Sinharaja.

There rainforest can be accessed in three ways. 

1) From the ‘Kudawa’ path, which runs between Rathnapura and Weddagala road through Kalawana.

2) From the Morningside path, which runs between Rakwana and Sooriyakanda.

3) From Deniyaya, take the Pitadeniya path.

What is the Annual Rainfall of Sinharaja?

The annual rainfall ranges between 3000 and 6000 millimeters. The rainforest has an average temperature of 19 to 25 degrees Celsius.

What are the waterways originated from Sinharaja?

From this stage, many waterways emerge. One of them is Gin Ganga’ River, which has an estuary in Galle. The rivers that originate in the south part of the forest are connected to the Gin Ganga. Simultaneously rivers originate in northern part of the forest, such as the aqueducts known as the ‘Kosgulana’, ‘Kudawa’ and ‘Pitakele’ are connected to the river known as ‘Kalu Ganga’ which is an estuary from Kalutara in Kalutara District. 

Sinharaja Rainforest is Sri Lanka’s largest rainforest reserve. In addition it serves as a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. This became a crown Property in 1840. The Sinharaja was designated as a national wilderness area in 1988. And added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1989 as the first National Heritage of Sri Lanka. 

Many rare species, birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles and trees can be found in here. Since the climate is hot due to heavy rainfall, ferns and mosses thrive. Also the Sinharaja’s conversation is extremely important. It ensures that water supplies are protected. It also prevents floods, which are a constant threat in the region due to heavy rainfall. 

The Vegetation of Sinharaja

Several of the plants are extremely rare. In Sri Lanka, over 60% of tree species are only present in the lowland wet zone. Sinharaja is home to at least 139 endemic plant species. Among them, 16 species on the site are designated as rare.   

Trees, shrubs, herbs and woody climbers all fall under the category of vegetation. The average height of trees in the Sinharaja varies between 35 to 40 meters. However some reach higher than 50 meters. If these tree species are allowed to perish, the entire world will perish with them. As a result, it is critical that significant efforts be made to protect this diverse, valuable and vulnerable ecosystem.  

The animals, fish and the birds of Sinharaja

Animals can find a home in Sinharaja. 50 percent of Sri Lanka’s endemic animal species can be found here. They get their food from seeds. There are also large and small mammals living here. The purple faced monkeys are clearly visible. They travel in small groups around the forest. Herbivores, carnivores and mixed feeders are among the different types of animals. The Sinharaja is home to a variety of animals like wild pig, sambur and mouse-deer and barking-deer. As per the evidence, the leopard has also been seen here. Among others are the rusty spotted cat and the fishing cat. Small mammals come with a wide range of species.

A total of 147 species of birds have been identified through research. Some endangered species of birds are found in the Sinharaja. Additionally, In Sri Lanka, there are 33 species of native birds. Among them, 25 birds can be seen in Sinharaja. Blue magpie, the white-headed starling and the ash-headed babblers are only a few of them. Sinharaja rainforest is home to three species of freshwater Sri Lankan indigenous fish. 

There are several Elephant herds walking in the Eastern part of the park. Leopards and elephants can also be found here, but unfortunately both of which are endangered species. 

Reptiles  

According to research, there are 45 different types of reptiles. Snakes, lizards and tortoises are among them. Venomous species include the viper and the cobra. 

Waterfalls in Sinharaja   

Several waterfalls can be found here. They include the waterfalls of Brahmana, Uran Wetunu, Gal Oruwa, Thattu, Kekuna, Pathan, Malmora and Duvili.

Village People 

In Sinharaja, there are 22 villages. Plantations are the primary source of income in the villages. The Tea, particularly. Furthermore, pure water from hundreds of streams is the primary source of water for everyone living in the reserve’s neighborhood. 

Surrounding Facilities

The Divisional Forest Officer of the Forest Department is in-charge of this land. In terms of tourist amenities, Kudawa in Weddagala village has resorts for them. The circuit bungalow on the Morning side and holiday resorts in Pitadeniya in Deniyaya also cater to the requirements.

Legendaries of Sinharaja

According to Sri Lankan legends, this forest once housed a lion. The ‘Lion’ is referred to as ‘Sinha’ in Sinhalese. This is why the forest is called ‘Sinharajaya’. There was a stranger named ‘Lankaanaatha’, who killed the lion because of the village’s persecution. The village where that person lived was called ‘Lankagama’. Still we can see that village in the area. According to historical evidence, a road leading from Galle to Sripadasthaanaya (Adam’s peak) passed through the Sinharaja Rain forest.