View of St. Clair Falls and surrounding tea estates

St. Clair’s Falls – A beautiful river that truly captivates you.

St. Clair’s Falls – A beautiful river that truly captivates you.

✈️ Why should you visit Sigiriya?

St. Clair’s Falls, often called the “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka,” is a magnificent and wide waterfall nestled amidst the lush tea estates of the Central Highlands.
  • “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka”: St. Clair’s Falls is widely known as the “Little Niagara” because it is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, offering a magnificent and broad cascade of water.
  • Visible from Road and Rail: Travelers can easily see the falls from the Hatton-Talawakele Highway and even from passing trains on the Kandy-Badulla railway line, providing convenient viewing opportunities.
  • Runs Through a Tea Estate: The waterfall flows through the scenic St. Clair Tea Estate, which also gives the falls its name, creating a picturesque setting amidst lush tea plantations.
  • Comprises Two Falls: St. Clair’s actually consists of two distinct waterfalls, “Maha Ella” (the Greater Fall) and “Kuda Ella” (the Lesser Fall), cascading over separate rock outcrops into a large pool.
  • Affected by Hydropower Project: Unfortunately, the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project has significantly reduced the water flow, despite government efforts to maintain a daily release of water.

Entity

Government

Entrance

Free

Wheelchair Access

Yes

Water

Available

Restaurants

Available

Toilets

Available

District: Nuwara Eliya

Reach

Any vehicle, Train

Road Quality

Good

Public Transport

Available

Scenic view of St. Clair waterfall surrounded by tea plantations
St. Clair Falls cascading through lush green hills in Sri Lanka
Majestic waterfall in the central highlands of Sri Lanka
Famous St. Clair Falls located in the Nuwara Eliya district

Guidelines

Visit during the monsoon season: The government limits the amount of water released into this waterfall, so visit during the monsoon season from April to June and from October to December.