Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge

From Ella railway station the way crosses the town by its lanes and the Ella-Passara road, then climbs through tea on hiking paths to the west end of the Nine Arch Bridge at Demodara, a stone railway viaduct built in 1921 between Ella and Demodara stations. From the bridge the 'Footpath to Little Adam's Peak', a lane and the estate track lead to the 'Hiking trail to Little Adam's Peak', which climbs the grassy ridge to the top, about 4.9 km from the start. Uva Tourism calls the peak Mini Adam's Peak (punchi Sri Padaya), 1,172 m high with a 360 degree view and Ella Rock in sight across the valley; OpenStreetMap gives 1,151 m. The way back is the way out.

It is 9.9 km there and back with 269 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours of walking, more with time at the bridge and the top. The grade is Moderate: half the line is path, about a quarter lanes and roads in the town and beside the Ella-Passara road, and the rest track. Uva Tourism's own directions to the peak are shorter, along the Ella-Namunukula road for about 1 1/2 km and then onto the Mini Adam's Peak road; this line takes in the bridge on the way.

The bridge carries the Badulla railway line, on which Newsfirst reported four train services a day between Nanu Oya and Badulla from 20 June 2026. The path crosses beside the line at the bridge: keep clear when a train is due and never stop on the bridge. There is traffic on the town lanes and the main road. Sri Lanka Tourism says it often rains in Ella in the afternoon for an hour or so; the tea paths are slippery wet. The FCDO warns of venomous snakes and insects in many parts of the country.

Ella is a few stops before Badulla, at the end of the railway line through the Hill Country (Sri Lanka Tourism), and the walk starts at the station.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.