Bambarakanda Falls: A Trek To The Tallest Waterfall In Sri Lanka, Location And Everything You Must Know
BY Sibashree Aug 27, 2026
Most waterfalls in Sri Lanka announce themselves with a roar from half a kilometer away. However, Bambarakanda Falls was different. It has a thin water flow, and as it drops far, I could only hear the sound of the waterfall when I was standing directly under it. However, it is the tallest in the country, and I could not find the top even after craning my neck all the way back. The Story Behind The Name Of The Bambarakanda Falls The name comes from Bambara. In the Sinhalese language, Bambara means wasps. The rock face around the falls was once a prominent colony of wasps. However, before the waterfall became known as Bambarakanda, it was called Bambarakele Falls and Dultota Falls. What struck me more than the etymology was how quiet the setting is compared to its size and fame. This is not a waterfall with restaurants and gift shops crowding the base, just pine forest, a rough access road, and the sound of falling water. Where Is Bambarakanda Falls? Bambarakanda Falls is close to the small town of Kalupahana in the Badulla District. It is also near the boundary of the Horton Plains National Park.  Kuda Oya, a modest stream, is the source of this waterfall. However, it transforms into the most dramatic tributary the moment it reaches the cliff edge above Kalupahana and drops in a single, thin, horsetail plunge. Furthermore, this waterfall is around 200 km away from Colombo. The distance between Bambarakanda Waterfall and Belihuloya is just 18 km. So, Bambarakanda Falls easily fits into the itinerary if you are in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka or on the Ella–Haputale–Horton Plains corridor. How To Reach Bambarakanda Falls? Bambarakanda is easily accessible from Colombo by road and train. Here are the details. From Colombo By Road The most common route is Colombo to Ratnapura to Belihuloya to Kalupahana, following the A4 highway toward Beragala. At Kalupahana Junction, a signposted turn-off leads onto a narrower road that runs for roughly 5 km through Weerakoongama's pine and tea plantations before reaching the parking area. The final stretch is rough enough in places that not every car will manage it comfortably. So a tuk-tuk from the junction is a popular last-mile option if you're not driving a higher-clearance vehicle. By Train And Bus If you're relying on public transport, the nearest useful rail stop is Ohiya. From Ohiya, you will still need a taxi or tuk-tuk to cover the remaining distance. Buses running the Colombo–Badulla A4 route will drop you at Kalupahana Junction, where three-wheelers wait to ferry visitors up the access road for a small fixed fare. The Trek To The Base From the parking area, I had to take a flight of steps to reach the base of the waterfall. The flight took around 10-15 minutes. It was an easy trek as I passed through a pine forest. Also, compared to places such as Sinharaja, the leeches were way fewer in number throughout the route. However, with the pine needles scattered on the ground, it was a bit slippery. So, you need to wear proper walking or trekking shoes. As I reached the base of the waterfall, I found a shallow pool, perfect for wading. Also, if you want to remain dry and want to appreciate the scale of the waterfall, you can watch the waterfall from the concrete viewing platform. Climbing To The Top: The Devil's Staircase If you want more adventure, you can take the steep trail nicknamed the Devil's Staircase, winding up the mountainside to the crest of the falls. Remember that this stretch, leading to the top, is a proper hiking route. It is not like strolling anyway! The elevation here is several hundred meters through pine and mixed forest. So, even if the weather is a little bad, you must not attempt this. The reward at the top is a small natural infinity pool and a miniature waterfall feeding into the main drop, along with sweeping views down the valley toward the eastern plains. A short trek from the base also leads to Lanka Ella, a smaller waterfall nearby whose shape is sometimes said to resemble the outline of Sri Lanka itself. What Is The Best Time To Visit The Bambarakanda Falls? Honestly, the guides on the best time to visit Bambarakanda Falls are mostly confusing. Some sources say that March to May is the ideal time for a visit to this waterfall. Indeed, going for a trek is safest in this season, as the flow is modest and the trails are less slippery. However, if you want to see the most dramatic version of the waterfall, May to September is the ideal window. I am someone who is always in for the later window. Visiting shortly after rain gave me a fuller view of the fall, and it was the most photogenic. A dry spell, on the other hand, makes the waterfall look thinner. What Are The Attractions Near Bambarakanda Waterfalls? Some of the best-known sights of the Sri Lankan Central Highlands are very close to Bambarakanda Waterfalls. Horton Plains National Park and World's End are a scenic drive away. Haputale, with its cooler climate, tea estates, and views toward the southern coast on a clear day. Haputale further makes a good overnight base. Also, if you are continuing along the A4, Belihuloya offers river-adjacent guesthouses and a much gentler pace than the falls themselves. Practical Travel Tips If you are planning to capture the beauty of the waterfall, you should pack wide-angle lenses. The waterfall is so tall that, considering how close you stand, fitting the entire cascade into one frame from the base is genuinely difficult. Furthermore, if you are driving yourself to the waterfall, budget extra time for the access road, which is narrow, occasionally rutted, and best driven slowly regardless of your vehicle. A Few Things I Wish I Had Known It was a mistake on my part to underestimate the remoteness of the final stretch of the road. The stretch was just a few kilometers off the main A4 Highway. Still, once I quickly reached the pine forest, there was no phone signal for the majority of the route leading to the base. Furthermore, you will have to bring cash, as digital payments or cards are not accepted at the entrance or along the trail. Also, barring the odd roadside stall near the junction, you will not find much food. Moreover, if you are on the Devil's Staircase climb to the crest, go early in the day. Clouds tend to roll in by early afternoon and can turn a rewarding view into a very damp anticlimax. Where To Stay Near Bambarakanda Falls You will not find real accommodation facilities right at the falls. As convenient options, you can base yourself in Haputale or Belihuloya. You can reach both locations within 30-40 minutes by car from Bambarakanda. Haputale sits higher up and cooler, with a scattering of small guesthouses and a couple of well-regarded boutique stays that make a good stop if you are also planning to see World's End at Horton Plains the next morning. Belihuloya, down in the valley, has a handful of riverside guesthouses that suit travelers who'd rather relax by moving water than climb toward it after a long day on the road. Either option works as a base for a half-day dedicated to Bambarakanda, with enough flexibility to add Horton Plains or a tea-estate walk without much extra driving.
