Diyaluma Falls
Sri Lanka's second-highest waterfall at 220 metres, crowned by a chain of natural infinity pools that look out over the Koslanda valley.
About an hour's drive from Ella near Poonagala village, water drops roughly 220 meters down a sheer cliff face in Sri Lanka's second tallest waterfall, a genuinely dramatic cascade that unfolds across multiple distinct tiers rather than a single uninterrupted plunge. What sets Diyaluma apart from virtually every other waterfall in the country, though, isn't just its height, it's what sits at the very top, a series of natural rock pools carved directly into the cliff edge, functioning as genuine infinity pools that seem to merge visually with the valley stretching out far below.
Reaching those upper pools takes real effort, the hike from Poonagala climbs through tea plantations, open grassland and rocky outcrops for roughly 45 minutes to an hour, considerably more demanding than the easy roadside access at nearby Ravana Falls, but consistently described by those who make the trip as every bit as rewarding as the climb suggests. At the top, swimmers can wade into crystal clear water sitting right at the literal edge of the drop, and when conditions allow, natural rock slides and even cliff jumping into deeper pools from around 7 meters add a genuine adrenaline element, though currents can run strong and no protective barriers exist anywhere along the exposed cliff edge, a real safety consideration for anyone visiting.
Panoramic views over the surrounding hills and valleys unfold from the summit regardless of whether visitors choose to swim, and the combination of genuine height, dramatic tiered cascades, and those uniquely photogenic infinity pools has made Diyaluma one of the most talked about waterfall hikes anywhere in Sri Lanka's hill country, a fitting, more strenuous counterpart to the easy roadside stop at Ravana Falls closer to Ella itself.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free
- Opening hours: 6:00am to 5:00pm
- Time needed: Half day
- Best time: Morning, for the upper pools in good light
Getting there
About 40km from Ella toward Koslanda. Reach the base by road, or take the trail from Poonagala village up to the pools (around 45 minutes).
Before you go
- For the famous upper pools, allow a hot forty five minute climb from Poonagala. The lower falls are visible straight from the road if you would rather not hike.
- The pools sit right at the top of a huge drop. Keep well back from the edge and do not take risks for a photo.
- Go in the morning for good light, cooler walking and fewer people.
- A local guide is well worth it on a first visit, both for the route and for knowing which pools are safe.
Frequently asked questions
- What makes Diyaluma Falls special?
- It is the country's second highest waterfall, and unusually you can hike to a set of natural infinity pools right at the top and sit in them above the valley. That combination is what draws people from all over the island.
- Is the hike to the upper pools hard?
- It is moderate. Around forty five minutes uphill from Poonagala, hot but not technical. The final approach to the pools needs care, which is why a guide helps first time.
- Is it safe?
- The pools are safe to sit in if you stay away from the edge, but the drop beyond them is enormous and people have died here taking risks. Respect the edge and do not swim toward it.
- How much does it cost?
- The falls themselves are free. You may pay a small amount for a guide or for parking near the trailhead.