Waterfalls in Deraniyagala-Noori road

Deraniyagala area is blessed with number of waterfalls and to visit them was in my to-do list for a long time. I had to postpone this trip in several times due to pouring rain to the area. (Highest rainfall is now recorded in Maliboda-Deraniyagala, not Watawala).
There are two waterfalls routes in Deraniyagala. One goes along Noori road (නූරි පාර) other one is Udamaliboda (උඩමාලිබොඩ) route. Famous Eli Hatha / Seven waterfalls situated along Udamaliboda road but I didn’t pay attention to visit there as it is a separate journey. I have kept some waterfalls around Uda Maliboda to do when I visit at Eli Hatha (ඇලි හත).
Ashan and Sri have done enough waterfall exploration at this area and I just had to follow their footsteps. This was kind of an update of waterfalls in Deraniyagala area after 3years of their visit. I could grab about 15 waterfalls in my visit. Please enjoy it. There might be more.

Day 01
I have reached Dehiowita early morning by bus and joined with Anupama who came by motor bike. From here onwards our waterfall exploration was done with an aid of motorbike.
Prabath and Kasun also joined with us at first waterfall. We have visited following waterfalls in day 01.
1. Kahanawita Falls
2. Bopekanda Kaluwala Ella
3. Kataram Falls (?Oruthota Falls)
4. Deraniyagala Kekuna Falls
5. Kaali Ella / Gonalu Falls
6. Deraniyagala Watawala Falls
7. Hathdinnath Falls
8. Minuwan Falls
9. Budumaloka Falls

Kahanawita Falls/ කහනවිට ඇල්ල
This is situated before Deraniyagala, just after Dehiowita. When you drive along Dehiowita-Deraniyagala road, there is a turn at 10/4 bokkuwa. A foot pathway goes down right at the bend. Follow the foot pathway through rubber patch and get left hand turn to reach Kahanawita Falls.
Kahanawita falls is about 5-6m tall waterfall. There is a deep pond at the base of the fall.

Foot pathway to the waterfall starts right at the bend, shown by black arrow.

Kahanawita Falls

Kahanawita Falls

Kahanawita Falls

Deep base pool

After visiting Kahanawita Falls, we proceed towards Deraniyagala town and passed it. There is a road at left hand side (Sri Saman School is situated there) after passing Deraniyagala police. We had our breakfast at Lihiniya hotel at this road. Our second visit of the day-Kaluwala Falls was situated at this road.
In 2km drive along this road, you will find a foundation stone and get the right downward road from there. It passes a small bridge and road gets divide into two. Left hand side road is blocked by a locked gate and we parked our bikes there and proceed by foot. Bopekanda mini hydropower plant is situated there and this waterfall has scarified her beauty to create electricity.
Easiest way to reach there is to go along the power plant premises after getting verbal permission. You have to cross the fence of the power plant and get into the water stream to see this dry beauty.

Bopekanda Kaluwala Falls /බොපේකන්ද කලුවල ඇල්ල
Kaluwala Falls is about 3-4m tall waterfall situated at Bopekanda area in Deraniyagala. This waterfall has become a dry waterfall due to diversion of water for hydro power production. A deep pond called Kaluwala is situated at base of the fall.

Bopekanda Hydro power plant

Crossing the fence

Dry Kaluwala Falls-water diversion is above this fall

Dry Kaluwala Falls

So called Kaluwala

After visiting dry Kaluwala Falls, we returned back to main road proceed along Deraniyagala-Noori road. Nakkawita (නක්කාවිට) suspension bridge was kind of an extra attraction situated there.

Nakkawita suspension bridge

Seethawaka River (සීතාවක ගග)

Overflow of water when diversion is not there for hydropower production

Wild beauty

Next three waterfalls (Kataram falls, Kekuna falls and Kaali Ella) are situated along the same water stream called Magal Oya (මාගල් ඔය). It was bit difficult to get into the track and finally we found it. When you travel along Noori road, you will pass Maliboda turn in your right hand side. After drive further about 500m along Noori road, you will find a turn to right hand side near a shop. (This road is called Panakura road-පනාකූර පාර). There is a bridge at Panakura road, soon after pass it, road divides into two and follow the right hand side one. (This is called Oruthotupala road). Oruthotupala (ඔරුතොටුපල) road starts as a wide concrete road but ends as a foot pathway covered with bushes. We parked our bikes at the end and further walked to reach Oruthota.
Kataram falls and? Oruthota falls are situated there. I don’t know whether these two names are used for one waterfall. In Sri’s report Kataram falls is named as Oruthota falls. The person who was fishing at the fall told Oruthota fall is situated at Oruthota and this is Kataram Falls.
Once you reach Oruthota, Kataram falls is seen in your left hand side. You can walk there by crossing water stream to right hand side and following the foot pathway at forest patch.

Kataram Ella / කටාරම් ඇල්ල
This 3-4m tall waterfall is situated at Magal Oya. As there are some deep holes (“Kataram”-කටාරම්) situated closer to this waterfall, it is called Kataram Ella. Hingurana (හිගුරන) rock is seen behind this waterfall. After visiting Kataram falls we returned along Oruthota road to visit Deraniyagala Kekuna Falls.

At the end we have reached Oruthota

Kataram Falls is situated at left hand side

Crossing the water stream with aid of branches of the tree

Mushrooms

Kataram Falls and few Kataram around it

Kataram Falls

View of Magal Oya from top of Kataram Falls

Hingurana Rock is seen behind Magal Oya

Wild beauty

As I told before Kekuna Falls is also situated downstream of Magal Oya, we had to return back along Oruthota road. There is a fainted foot pathway to Magal oya once the concrete section is over. (Better ask from villagers as Kekuna falls is popular among locals). This foot pathway brings you to the top of Kekuna falls.

Deraniyagala Kekuna Falls /දැරණියගල කැකුණ ඇල්ල
This 3m tall waterfall is formed by Magal oya which is a branch of Seethawaka Oya. It has two wings. Villagers have used Kakuna (කැකුණ) instead of coconut and there were ample of Kekuna trees around the fall, therefore it is called Kekuna Fall.

Deraniyagala Kekuna Falls-right wing

Deraniyagala Kekuna Falls-right wing

Deraniyagala Kekuna Falls-right wing

Deraniyagala Kekuna Falls-left wing

Close up…

Further downstream along Magal Oya will form Kali Ella/ Gonalu Ella. We walked back along Oruthota road and followed the next foot pathway into a tea patch. This foot pathway starts at the end of first concrete section of the road. There is a small hut at tea patch and you can hear the roaring of Kaali Ella there. Then we reached the river through bushes to get the real view of this beauty.

Kaali Falls /Gonalu Ella (කාලි ඇල්ල /ගෝනලු ඇල්ල)
Kaali falls / Gonalu Falls is 5/6m tall waterfall formed at Magal Oya.

White arrow shows the beginning of foot pathway to Kaali Ella/ Gonalu Falls

Lateral view of Kaali Ella

Lateral view of Kaali Ella

Kaali falls / Gonalu falls

Kaali falls / Gonalu falls

Kaali falls / Gonalu falls

After visiting triple waterfalls at Magal Oya we returned back to Noori road and proceed till Keerihena. Closer to 22km post of this road there is a by road to left hand side (which goes to an ancient temple). We followed that road and passed a bridge. The road on left hand side of the bridge will bring you to famous Watawala falls. Seems this falls is popular as a bathing and drinking place.

Deraniyagala Watawala Falls / දැරණියගල වටවල ඇල්ල
This waterfall is situated at Keeriyana area of Deraniyagala. It is about 3m in height but fairly wide fall.

This is the turn on left to reach Watawala Falls.

Watawala Falls

Watawala Falls

Watawala Falls. It is a wide waterfall.

On top of Watawala Falls

We returned back to Noori road and further proceed. Meanwhile we were able to get a pilot view of Watawala Falls in left hand side. After about 1.5-2km ride we were able to notice Hathdinnath fall which is falling on right hand side at opposite mountain.

Pilot view of Watawala Falls

Hathdinnath Falls/හත්දින්නත් ඇල්ල
This 30m tall water fall is visible as two steps. Seven princes have suicide by jumping from the fall was the reason for name Hathdinnath.

Hathdinnath Falls.

Hathdinnath Falls.

Our next target was to reach another beauty called Minuwan falls. Again it was difficult to reach the falls due to different directions from villagers. We have passed Mudugalla (මුඩුගල්ල) and then got right hand turn just next to a bus halt. This road connects with a nice carpet road. Then we got a right turn along the carpet road and climb a steep section of the road (It is a concrete section) and entered a tea patch. There were two huts on left hand side at this tea estate. We have parked our bikes there and followed the foot pathway along the tea estate to reach the water stream which forms Minuwan Falls. Once we reached the river, we proceed further downwards to be on top of Minuwan falls-1. Then we had to tackle steep section through the forest to reach the base of the fall. Again we were on top of Minuwan falls-2, followed the same way to get down the fall.

Minuwan falls /මිනුවන් ඇල්ල
Minuwan falls has the height of 26m, which falls as three sections. A branch of Seethawaka River forms this beautiful waterfall. Minuwan Ella has become a dry fall following diversion of water to Minuwan Falls hydro power plant.

Crossing the water stream

Minuwan falls with it’s three sections

Upper and middle sections of Minuwan fall.

Minuwan falls

View of Minuwan Falls from the power plant.

After visiting another victim of hydro power production, we moved to the power plant premises and followed the road towards Minuwan Ella estate. Then we crossed the canal and got into the water stream back to reach the place we parked our bikes.
If you come through Minuwan Ella estate it is very easy to reach the power house by vehicle. Then you can enjoy the view of the fall from power plant premises. But the problem is the gate is closed!

Return journey

Last attraction of the day was Budumaloka falls which is situated at Nilgala (නිල්ගල) area. We further proceeded and passed Basnagala (බස්නාගල) and got left hand turn to reach Nilgala. (Right hand turn is to Noori). A bridge was situated just before the primary school of Nilgala. There was a foot pathway on left hand side of the water stream to reach the top of the fall. Then we followed some steep and slippery steps to get down to the base of the fall. Other way is follow the foot path at right hand side of the water stream and get down to the water stream. Then you can come upstream to get the superb view of Budumaloka Falls.

Budumaloka Falls /බුදුමාලෝක ඇල්ල
6m tall this water fall got this name as follows: A deaf man called Buda (බුදා) has used to bath at this fall. He was clever in diving and stayed underwater about 15minutes. Once he has noticed a treasurer underwater. He has fallen from the fall while he was trying to tell it to a nearby person. The fall where Buda has fallen became Budumaloka Ella.
The water stream plunges into a narrow steep space to at this waterfall.

Foot path to reach Budumaloka Falls.

On top of Budumaloka Falls

Lateral view of the fall.

Here she is…

Budumaloka Falls

Budumaloka Falls

River after forming the fall….

At the end of the day we were rewarded. Toddy

Day 02
We were able to visit at following waterfalls in second day.
10. Mineemaru Ella
11. Bisopani Ella
12. Rakka Falls
13. Kaluwala Falls-Polgaswaththa
14. Weekotana Ella
15. Ella Uda Ella

Second day was started from the point where we stopped on day-01. We proceeded along the same road further 1.5-2km. There is a boutique on left hand side (Amal kade) and got the bend just after the shop. A small road can be seen at right hand side. We parked our bike at first house of that road (road condition is too bad to drive along) and walked further. This small path gets a hill and directed to a house. The house owner was very helpful and he gave us directions to reach Mineemaru falls as well as Biso Pani Ella.
The path deviates to left hand side further and will closer to a tea patch (In 50m walk). We were asked to follow the small foot pathway at tea patch (right infront of “Wal Del tree”-වල් දෙල් ගහ) and turn to left and go towards the water stream. At the end of the tea patch you can hear the roaring of the fall. We turned right and went down through the forest to get into the base of Mineemaru Falls.

Direction to the by road at the bend

Gravel road is directed to the house (yellow arrow) and left hand turn (white arrow)

Further along the road. White arrow shows where you have to enter to tea patch infront of “Wal Del” tree

Mineemaru Ella/ මිනීමරු ඇල්ල
This waterfall flows in two steps and it has about 10m height. A man has died by fallen from the waterfall was the reason for the name, Mineemaru Falls. Maha oya forms Mineemaru Ella, Bisopani Ella (upstream) and Budumaloka Ella (downstream).

Lower part of Mineemaru Falls

Mineemaru Falls

Mineemaru Falls

We returned back to the gravel road and followed it further. It became narrow and ended up at the water stream. A bridge was there to cross and new well paved road started again. Just before the first house along this road, we turned to left towards the water stream and followed the path of pipe. (There was a fainted foot path with the pipe). This ended up at base of Biso Pani Falls.

The road ends at water stream and bridge.

Left hand turn at gravel road.

Biso Pani Ella/බිසෝ පැනි ඇල්ල
This 3m tall waterfall is situated about 500m upstream to Mineemaru Falls.

Biso Pani Ella

Biso Pani Ella

Biso Pani Ella

Wild beauty

It ends waterfall hunting at this area. Our next targets were situated at Polgaswatta where we have visited for Minuwan Falls. We returned back along same road and followed the short cut to reach Polgaswatta. As I mentioned earlier there is a by road with bus halt and it brings you to a carpet road. Right hand side road towards Minuwan falls and left hand side drive towards Polgaswatta. After 4-5km drive we came to an end of carpet road at three way junction where new tarred road starts. Right hand road directs Polgaswatta and if you go by left hand road, it directs you to Ella Uda Ella.
Rakka falls, Kaluwala falls and Wee Kotana falls are hidden gems of Kadiran oya situated at Polgaswatta. As Ashan mentioned in his report a mini hydro power plant is built crossing Kadiran Oya (කදිරන් ඔය) above these waterfalls. We expected to see dry waterfalls but still these beauties persist. There is a road to right just before Polgaswatta junction. Again it comes to a four way junction where you can see a board mentioning Polgaswatta Hydro Power project. Follow the middle road closer to the board and drive about 2km along this gravel road. Again it comes to a junction where you have to follow downward left hand road which ends at river. You will come across one house at this road where we park our bike and got directions. At the end of the road a foot pathway starts and goes under a large iron pipe. We met workers at this construction site and they said only one waterfall is there and you can get into the river from there. Small foot pathway starting from there will bring you to the left bank of Kadiran Oya. Kadiran Oya is the border of Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya Districts. The waterfall they mentioned was Kaluwala falls situated right there, but we walked upstream about 50m to reach the first cascade called Rakka Falls. As Ashan mentioned, it reminds Nanu Oya falls.

Rakka Falls/රාක්ක ඇල්ල
Approximately 6m tall this waterfall falls in step wise manner. It is a wide waterfall formed by Kadiran Oya.

Rakka Falls at Kadiran Oya.

Rakka Falls.

Rakka Falls at Kadiran Oya.

We crossed Kadiran Oya from the base of Rakka falls and followed the foot path at right bank of the river. (Now we are at Nuweraeliya district). We were able to reach the top of Kaluwala Falls with aid of cement canal built across the fall as well as base of the fall.

Polgaswatta Kaluwala Falls/පොල්ගස්වත්ත කලුවල ඇල්ල
This is the second of strings of waterfall made by Kadiran Oya. It is approximately 4m in height.

Kaluwala Falls from it’s top

Kaluwala Falls-Polgaswatta

Kaluwala Falls-Polgaswatta

Kaluwala Falls

Further walk parallel to Kadiran Oya directed us to top of Wee Kotana falls. Getting to the base of Wee Kotana falls is bit slippery but we were able.

Wee Kotana Falls/වී කොටන ඇල්ල
This is the last fall formed by Kadiran oya. It is about 5m in height.

Wee Kotana Falls

Wee Kotana Falls

Wee Kotana Falls

Wee Kotana Falls at Kadiran Oya.

We crossed Kadiran oya at the base of Wee Kotana falls and traced the same foot path we followed. I don’t know these waterfalls would remain for how many years further. Seems still project is not finished.
Last visit of the day was Ella Uda Falls. We drove along the tarred road back passed the turn to carpet road as well. With further 1km drive we passed a water stream (after passing Polgaswatta School) and there was a gate in left hand side just after this water stream. It directs to the top of Ella Uda falls. (Please just inform the house owner as we are crossing their land.) From the top of this waterfall, a foot path will descend with a pipe. We followed it and then directly reached the base of the fall.
We had a bath at top of Ella Uda falls and finished the day.

Deraniyagala Ella Uda Ella/දැරණියගල ඇල්ල උඩ ඇල්ල

This beautiful waterfall situated at Deraniyagala-Polgaswatta area. It is about 20m in height.

On top of Ella Uda Ella

On top of Ella Uda Ella. Waterfall gets water from a tank and a stream.

Ella Uda Ella-Front view

Ella Uda Ella

Ella Uda Ella

Ella Uda Ella-Lateral view.

As a summary