Aberdeen Falls
A 98 metre waterfall in a forested gorge near Ginigathena, reached by a short jungle walk and a long flight of steps, and far quieter than the roadside falls nearby.
Aberdeen Falls drops around 98 metres into a deep, rocky pool in the hills near Ginigathena, between Hatton and Kitulgala. It is one of the larger waterfalls in the hill country, yet it sees a fraction of the visitors that stop at St. Clair's Falls and Devon Falls, because you cannot see it from a main road. That is exactly its charm.
Reaching it is part of the experience. From the end of the Ambatale road you walk roughly a kilometre through forest and then down a long flight of steps into the gorge. The sound of the water grows louder with every turn until the fall appears, a tall white column dropping between dark rock walls. A viewing deck near the base lets you feel the spray without getting too close.
The pool looks inviting, but please do not swim. The water is deep and cold, the rocks are slippery, and there have been drownings here over the years. Stay on the path and the viewing areas, and take extra care on the steps after rain.
The fall is at its fullest during and just after the rainy months, when the Kehelgamu Oya is running high. Go in the morning, before the afternoon mist and showers, and wear shoes with good grip. Aberdeen pairs well with Laxapana Falls, a short drive away, or with a stop at the tea country waterfalls on the road to Nuwara Eliya.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free
- Opening hours: Daylight hours
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours, including the walk
- Best time: Morning, during or just after the rainy months when the flow is strongest
How to get there
Near Ginigathena, between Hatton and Kitulgala. Drive or take a tuk tuk to the end of Ambatale road, then walk about 1km through forest and down the steps to the falls.