මහගඟ දිගේ Waterfall trail

This journey for a change was an idea of Irantha. He persuaded us to join us in a venture to explore the unexplored and the eager to explore the unexplored was enough of a reason for us to join in. Our main obstacle was the transport mode so we had to hire a trishaw all the way from Chilaw to Lebonon estate early in the morning. From Lebonon we tackled the mana covered path to Reach Rathnagiriya. From Rathnagiriya it was clear path to KMP. Just before KMP we reached “Maha ganga” where we re united with Irantha who had stayed the previous day at KMP.

Rathnagiriya

off we go

beauty

Kuda ela maga

regrouping

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From Maha ganga crossing point of KMP trail we decided to go along the stream and within 20 minutes we reached the first obstacle which was the first fall. This provides some fascinating views towards Ethanwala, Rambukoluwa and beyond. Since Irantha has done the initial stretch previously he guided us from the left sided foot path towards “Kuda ela maga” and we descended along foot path towards the bottom. There were two waterfalls formed by “kuda ela maga” at this point and after forming those cascades it joined Maha ganga. After enjoying those two waterfalls we walked towards the main waterfall of Maha ganga and Irantha decided to name it as Enasal waththa ella. This was a gorgeous beauty which we leaned back and enjoyed the view for some time. There was a foot path from the base of this waterfall which would lead towards KMP too. From here on wards we descended along the river and we came across another footpath to the right which led us towards a burnt down “Wadiya”.

.	Silent early stages of maha ganga

cascades

cascades

Top of 1st fall

Top of 1st fall

view from the top

reverston

kalu ganga reservoir seen above manigala

ginikeliya pathana and aswedduma pathana

Kuda ela maga fall 1

Kuda ela maga fall 2

එනසාල් වත්ත ඇල්ල ( Cardamom estate fall)

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එනසාල් වත්ත ඇල්ල ( Cardamom estate fall)

abandoned

Next beauty was called Majestic falls and we descended from the right side to reach its middle level and the base. Not so far away from the base of the Majestic falls was a steep drop which Irantha couldn’t get down on his previous attempt. We took a considerable deviation towards the right to get down to the stream and crawl back up to have a look at this beauty. (one could get down from the left too). Not so far away from the steep fall lies the most beautiful fall of this river and we named her Knuckles Paradise fall. One could easily camp at its base because there is a wide rocky slab area. At this point we decided to get a group picture too.

yakkunge hela

sudu gala

“neeththewa”

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cascades

demodara

.	top of majestic fall

.	මහේශාක්යය ඇල්ල – Majestic fall

full length

top of steep fall

drop of steep fall

steep fall

නකල්ස් පාරාදීස ඇල්ල – Knuckles paradise fall

us

lower fall

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While descending further we came across a stream which originates from Hemachandra Wadiya plain and it joined Maha ganga forming a huge waterfall which we named as Hemachandra waththa ella. From here onwards Maha ganga formed many cascades before meeting Naranaththa oya. Though we reached Naranaththa oya we back tracked along Maha ganga to build up our camp since it was already 6pm.

Dinner was not a problem because Irantha had cooked and brought some rice packets so we only had to prepare some tea. The camp site was a safe location since it was separated from the river bed.

cascades

හේමචන්ද්ර වත්ත ඇල්ල – Hemachandra estate fall

remains

top of another

more cascades

our camp site

Next day morning at around 6am we were searching for the sun but it wasn’t a pleasant morning. The gloomy skies started to weep and we only could manage to boil a cup of tea and have some bread plus jam as breakfast. If it rained the journey would be tougher and the risk of flash flood was our other main concern. So we took of until we reached the junction where Naranaththa oya and Maha ganga met. Its a lovely location since Maha ganaga divides in to many branches and forms 3/4 waterfalls while uniting with Naranaththa oya which it self forms a mini waterfall at that point.

Though we started trekking along Naranaththa oya it was very slippery and the boulders were increasing in size which was a huge obstacle. There was a 800m stretch where the river ran through a rocky abyss and we had to decide whether to proceed along the stream(with risk of flash flood) or take a detour. We decided to climb towards the forest patch on the right hand side and walk close to the river until we skipped the abyss part. Somehow at one point “Maussa” touched my skin I had to suffer the painful sensation for 24 hours despite taking medication. At the end of the Abyss we reached the river and relaxed a bit at Naran Wala ella. It was a very short Walk from here towards the Duwili ella trail cross over.

cascades of upper reaches of naranaththa oya

cascades of upper reaches of naranaththa oya

final cascades of maha ganga

maha ganga meeting naranaththa oya

maha ganga divided to four parts

naranaththa oya

crossing the steep section

නාරං වල – Naran wala ella

නාරං වල – Naran wala and the abyss at the backdrop

ටාසන්ගේ මල්ලී

After reaching Naranaththa oya cross over I decided to stay back while other went on to visit Infinity pool and Sansun ella. After they returned we headed along the trail to reach the top of 9th fall where few of us descended towards the base of it to have some snaps.

From the top of 9th fall we descended along the Duwili ella trail until Weddahena oya where we refreshed our selves and started marching along the Rambukoluwa trail. We didn’t have much time since it was already 4.30pm so it was almost like a walking race. When we reached Rambukoluwa it was 6.20pm and we found an abandoned house with electricity which was a great relief for us. After cooking some noodles and preparing tea we camped at the warendha of that house until the next sun rise.

naranaththa oya

top of 9th fall

top of 10th

9th fall

Pulli dathketiya

Rambukoluwa trail

Rambukoluwa edanda ella

crossing rambukoluwa edanda

gal poththa

kalu ganga

water tank

rambukoluwa school now abandoned

Next day early morning after having a tea we got on to a Mahaweli department double cab (which provides transport to the remaining villagers to reach a main road) so we could get to Dambulla and return to our destinations. Future travelers please keep in mind that there wont be anyone left at Rambukoluwa in few months and it would be a totally abandoned village in near future.

morning view of yakkunge hela from Rambukoluwa

morning view of sudu gala from Rambukoluwa