About Diyaluma Falls
Tucked away in the misty hill country near Koslanda, Diyaluma Falls is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with Sri Lanka all over again. Plunging a dramatic 220 metres down a sheer rock face, it is the second-tallest waterfall on the island, and easily one of the most spectacular. But what really sets Diyaluma apart from the hundreds of other waterfalls scattered across our highlands is what waits at the very top: a string of natural infinity pools perched right on the lip of the cliff, where you can sink into cool mountain water and watch the whole valley fall away beneath your toes.
For years, Diyaluma was a place only the locals knew. These days it has earned a spot on the bucket list of just about everyone heading into the hills, and for good reason. It sits comfortably within reach of Ella, so you can fold it into a day of waterfall chasing without too much trouble. If you are already planning to visit the gentler, more accessible Ella Wala Falls, Diyaluma makes the perfect wilder, higher-altitude companion to round out your trip.
So here is our complete guide to Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka.
How to Get to Diyaluma Falls
Diyaluma Falls is located about 6 kilometres from the town of Koslanda, in the Badulla District, right along the Colombo–Badulla highway. If you are coming from Ella, you are looking at roughly an hour's drive of around 35 kilometres, winding through some of the prettiest tea-country scenery the central highlands have to offer.
The easiest way to get there from Ella is to hire a Tuk Tuk or a car for the day. A Tuk Tuk driver will happily wait for you while you explore, and the open-sided ride down through the hills is half the fun. If you are driving yourself, simply follow the road towards Wellawaya and then on towards Koslanda; the lower falls are visible right from the main road, so you genuinely cannot miss them.
Public buses running between Ella, Wellawaya and Beragala will also drop you near the lower falls if you ask the conductor for Diyaluma. It is cheaper, though slower and a touch less convenient, especially if you intend to chase the pools at the top.
Hiking up through the highland jungle towards the top of the falls.
The Lower Falls vs the Upper Infinity Pools
Here is the thing that trips up a lot of first-time visitors: Diyaluma is really two very different experiences, and you will want to decide in advance which one you are after.
The Lower Falls
The lower falls are the postcard view, the towering single drop you see crashing down the cliff from the main road. There is a small viewing area near the base, and on a clear day with good water flow it is genuinely breathtaking. You can scramble a short way towards the bottom pool for a closer look and a quick dip, though the rocks here are slick and the spray is heavy. For many travellers, simply pulling over, admiring the full height of the falls and snapping a few photos is reward enough.
The Upper Infinity Pools
The upper pools are where the magic really happens, and where you will get those famous photos of someone lounging at the cliff's edge with the valley sprawling below. To reach them, you do not climb the lower falls. Instead, you take a separate route up towards Poonagala village above the falls, where a marked trailhead leads you on a 30 to 45 minute walk through tea estates and patches of jungle to the top of the cascade.
The path from the Poonagala side is the shorter, gentler option, and it is the one we recommend for most visitors. There is also a far more strenuous and harder-to-follow route that climbs all the way up from near Koslanda at the bottom; unless you are an experienced hiker travelling with a local guide, we suggest you skip that one and go in from the top.
Once you arrive, you will find a series of natural rock pools, each one a little lower than the last, stepping right down to where the water spills over the 220-metre drop. The uppermost pools are calm and safe for a swim, while the lowest ones sit on the very edge of the precipice, forming those gorgeous infinity-pool views the falls are now famous for.
Safety at the Pools
We cannot stress this enough: the upper pools are stunning, but they sit at the top of a 220-metre cliff with no railings, no barriers and no margin for error. Tragically, there have been accidents here, almost always because someone got too close to the edge or misjudged the slippery rock.
- Always keep well back from the lip of the falls. The rock near the edge stays wet and is far more slippery than it looks.
- Only swim in the calmer upper pools, away from the drop. Never let the current carry you towards the edge.
- Be extremely cautious after rain. Water levels and flow can rise fast and without warning, turning a gentle pool into a powerful current in minutes.
- Avoid the pools entirely during heavy rain or thunderstorms.
- Going with a local guide is well worth it, both to find the right path and to know which pools are safe on the day.
Treat the place with respect, stay sensible, and Diyaluma will reward you with one of the finest swims of your life.
Best Time to Visit
Diyaluma is at its best during and just after the wet months, when the falls are thundering at full force, but you also want enough dry, clear weather to enjoy the pools and the views safely. Generally, the months from roughly December to March bring the most settled conditions to this part of the hill country.
That said, the highlands have their own moods, and a sunny morning can turn to mist and drizzle by afternoon, so it pays to check the best time to visit before you set off. Aim to arrive early in the day. Mornings are quieter, the light on the valley is gorgeous, and you will have the upper pools largely to yourself before the day-trippers arrive. Mid-afternoon often clouds over, which can flatten the views and make the trail muddy.
What to Bring
Diyaluma is a wild, off-the-beaten-track spot, so come prepared:
- Sturdy shoes or sandals with a proper grip. The rocks and trail get slippery, and flip-flops simply will not cut it.
- Plenty of drinking water and a few snacks. There are no reliable shops up at the pools.
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel for the upper pools.
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone and camera; spray and splashes are guaranteed.
- Sunscreen and a hat. The highland sun is stronger than it feels.
- A small bag to carry out your rubbish. Please, take everything back with you.
Other Places to Visit Around Diyaluma
If you are making the journey out to Koslanda, there is plenty more to fold into your day in this corner of the hills. While you are over this way, it is well worth dipping into the full list of things to do in Ella to round out your itinerary.
- Ella Rock and Little Adam's Peak
- The Nine Arches Bridge
- Ravana Falls
- Buduruwagala ancient rock carvings
- Ella Wala Falls
Diyaluma is one of those rare places that lives up to every photo you have seen of it, and then some. Go early, tread carefully, soak in those infinity pools, and let the whole green sweep of the highlands unfold below you.
Safe travels! And remember, "Take Only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints".
