Cascades in Nawalapitiya and Ginigathhena

This is another collection of some waterfalls situated at Nawalapitiya and Ginigathhena areas. Here I have spent four days to get a complete idea of some waterfalls. Following waterfalls and places of archeological interest were visited during my journey.

1. Heightenford Falls / Sudugala Ella / Galpoththa
2. Galboda upper falls (Proper Galboda Falls), Middle segment and Lower falls
3. Hangaran Oya cascades
4. Aberdeen Falls and it’s upper cascades
5. Lakshapana Falls revisiting-Top and Bottom
6. Renu Ella
7. Ambagamuwa Inscription
8. Dutch memorial cemetery

It was a two days waterfall hunting started from Colombo. This was our optional plan as main plan of Eli Hatha-Deraniyagala was cancelled due to heavy rain. Colombo-Awissawella-Hatton road (A7) was the easiest way to reach Nawalapitiya from Colombo. As sky was clear following heavy rain we have stopped at Ginigathhena to enjoy the view of Seven Virgin Hills.

Towards Kehelgamuwa hills

Seven Virgin hills are seen through the gap

On our way to Nawalapitiya from Ginigathhena, we have decided to visit at Ambagamuwa inscription. Ambagamuwa Inscription is situated at Ginigathhena-Nawalapitiya (B319) road. We have turned to left at Ambagamuwa and drove along a by road to reach Ambagamuwa inscription

Ambagamuwa Inscription (අඹගමුව සෙල් ලිපිය) (7.022122, 80.495773)

Route: Colombo->Ginigathhena->Ambagamuwa->Ambagamuwa inscription

Ambagamuwa inscription lies on a small triangular piece of land. This inscription is considered as one of the main sources of information in Polonnaruwa era.
Ambagamuwa inscription has been made on the 36th year of King Wijayabahu 1 (1070-1110). According to chronicles the king rested here en route to Sri Pada with his retinue while on pilgrimage. There are engraved two rocks. This inscription describes the defeat of the Tamil invaders by King Wijayabahu and bringing country under one rule, it also describes the work done by the king to the people and donations made to the Sri Pada Pilgrims and the Sri Pada.
(Quoted from Amazing Lanka)

Historical information

Ambagamuwa inscription

Ambagamuwa inscription

Ambagamuwa inscription

.	The mountain situated behind the land

We stopped at Nawalapitiya for the breakfast and met another waterfall lover-Mr. DV Mervin. He has helped a lot in this journey in providing information about the area. After saying good bye to Mr. Mervin we followed our way to famous Galboda Falls.
We drove along Mapa kanda road in Nawalapitiya to reach Galboda Falls. This road became terrible when it was closer to Galboda area but we were able to pass the old factory and train track. Before about 1km to Galboda falls we have parked the vehicle and started to walk. There was a ticket counter at the beginning of foot path which goes parallel to the water diversion canal. There was about 1km walk from the ticket counter till Galboda falls come in our vicinity.

Snapped with Mr. Mervin (2nd in the row from front)

Galboda church

You will come across a nice view point of rail track on your way to Galboda fall

Ambuluwawa with towers

Heading to Galboda fall.

Some parts of the road is good

At the entrance of the fall

Enjoying their life

Ticket counter and foot path

Foot path is parallel to the canal

There is a hanging bridge over the stream

Galboda fall comes into vicinity

Galboda Falls (ගල්බොඩ ඇල්ල) (6.975591, 80542815)

Route: Nawalapitiya->Mapa kanda road->Galboda Road->Galboda Waterfall

Galboda Fall originates from the Galboda canal (also known as Hanguran Oya). Galboda fall is 30m in height and 3-6m in width. Galboda railway station is situated closer to the fall and coming by the train is the easiest way to reach the fall. You have to walk towards Inguru Oya station from Galboda station and follow the path to the fall. Nawalapitiya-Mapa Kanda road (මාපාකන්ද පාර) is the other way of reaching the fall. But this road is not good to drive a low ground vehicle. You can connect with this road from Rosella as well if you are coming from Hatton side. There is about 1km walk from ticket counter till you reach the base of the fall. There are lot of constructions around the fall for the convenience of travelers including observation flat form.

Galboda fall

Galboda fall. Note Sanjeewa has reached middle of the fall. But this is not recommend as it is extremely slippery.

Galboda fall

Galboda fall

Galboda fall.

Full frame view of the fall from observation flat form

Galboda fall

Galboda fall

Monochrome view of Galboda Falls

Enjoy the video of Galboda Falls https://youtu.be/F6zOns1ADRI

The same water stream form the Galboda fall will form another cascades below famous Galboda Fall. Therefore famous Galboda falls can be considered as upper Galboda Fall. The middle Galboda fall is situated over the bridge between twin tunnels of rail track. Here you have to walk towards Inguru Oya station and between 13th and 14th tunnels middle segment of Galboda Fall is seen. (6.984162, 80.538330)

The bridge between twin tunnels. (13th and 14th tunnels)

Galboda middle falls

Galboda middle falls. It is bit difficult to reach the fall.

Galboda Lower Falls (ගල්බොඩ පහළ ඇල්ල)
Galboda Lower Fall is situated closer to the power plant of Galboda. We have followed the Mapa kanda road from Galboda railway station. At the end of concrete section you will come across a cemetery at right side. Then we followed the foot path through tea patch and got down to the stream by crossing a Mana patch. It needs go upstream another 300m to reach the base of this beautiful waterfall. Galboda lower falls is about 15m tall. Actually it is a separate water stream forms Galboda lower falls and it joins with Mahaweli River just after the power station. (Mahaweli River forms Galboda upper and middle segments)

Kabaragala is seen on our way to Galboda lower falls

Galboda lower falls

Galboda lower falls

Galboda lower falls

Galboda lower falls

This place is good for a safe bath. We decided not to follow the same way and walked through another flat Mana area to reach the hydro power station. But it was another strenuous journey to find the way through Mana patch.

Next set of waterfalls are situated at closer to Inguru Oya railway station. Hangaran Oya (හගරන් ඔය) joins with Mahaweli River closer to Inguru Oya station and it forms 4-5 waterfalls as a chain. As it doesn’t have proper name, it gets the name as Hangaran Oya falls.

Here we drove back along the same road to reach Inguru Oya station. (Otherwise you can follow the rail track to reach the station). A big thank should go to Mr. Mervin to direct us to this waterfall. We have crossed Mahaweli River by suspension bridge and walked towards the station. The local called Bandara met on our way and he told some land marks to reach the waterfall. (He was the same guide to Mr. Mervin).

Hangaran Oya joins with Mahaweli River closer to Inguru Oya station. Approximate site of waterfalls is circled.

Crossing Mahaweli River by suspension bridge

There was a foot path closer to railway station and it was a mini hike through Pinus patch to reach top of Hangaran Oya. We have crossed the water stream to it’s right side and followed the stream in it’s right side. On top of first waterfall was like infinity pool of Duwili cascade. Careful descend along right side brought us to the base of third fall of Hangaran Oya cascades.

Along the Pinus patch

Hangaran Oya cascades (හගරන් ඔයේ ඇලි) (7.015234, 80.549641)

We have crossed Hangaran Oya and descend along right side of the stream

On top of first fall of Hangaran Oya falls

First fall of Hangaran Oya falls

First fall of Hangaran Oya falls

With first fall of Hangaran Oya falls

Third fall of Hangaran Oya cascade was the most beautiful out of all. Second fall was also seen there. (We have skipped second falls). There was enough space at base of third fall and base pool was safe for a bath as well.

Second and third fall of Hangaran Oya cascades.

Second and third fall of Hangaran Oya cascades.

Enjoying the beauty….

Third fall of Hangaran Oya cascade

At base of Hangaran Oya fall

On top of fourth fall

After enjoying third fall we have followed the same side of the stream and viewed fourth and fifth parts as well. Now the stream flows through a tea patch and we assumed reaching to a by road would be easy from there. After following about 500m through tea estate we met a lady who strongly objected to go through her estate. Therefore we followed the same path to return to Inguru Oya estate.

Fourth fall of Hangaran Oya cascades

Hangaran Oya cascades- from second to fourth fall

2nd, 3rd and 4th falls of Hangaran Oya cascades.

Here you can view the fifth fall as well

We wanted to wind up the day with a bath at Heightenford falls at Nawalapitiya. I have been there once from the base of the fall, but this time we have reached the top of the fall.

Heightenford Fall / Sudugala Ella-සුදු ගල ඇල්ල/ “Galpoththa”-ගල්පොත්ත (7.031139, 80.531064)

Directions: Nawalapitiya->Mapa Kanda road->Heightenford falls

Mahaweli River forms this waterfalls by flowing over a slanting rock bed near Heightenford station. It’s length is about 50m and width is about 60m. The fall end with a shallow pool which is about 2ft deep. Water has diverted from Mahaweli River before forms this waterfall.
The base of the fall can be approached from by Mapa kanda road in Nawalapitiya. (Same road to Galboda Falls). To reach the top of the fall you have to turn at the junction where ten start hotel is situated.
It is one of a popular places of Nawalapitiya and a lot of people come here for bath as approach is about 2km from Nawalapitiya.

Top of Heightenford falls. Note water diversion tunnel runs on side of the stream

Heightenford falls from above

Mahaweli River-above the fall

Enjoying at Heightenford fall

Heightenford fall

View of Kabaragala from Heightenford falls

Heightenford falls from base. There is a foot path from Mapa Kanda road to reach the base of the fall.

Heightenford falls from base

Different view of the fall

Base pool of Heightenford fall

Heightenford fall

With Hieghtenford fall

After spending enough time with the fall we have moved to our accommodation at Hatton. Next day we target some travel destinations around Ginigathhena.

Weather was good for the second day as well. We have stopped at Rosella for the breakfast on our way to Ginigathhena from Hatton. At Diyagala junction we have turned to B71 road (Carolina-Norton-Wanaraja) to reach Norton bridge town. Kehelgamu Oya (කෙහෙල්ගමු ඔය) is dammed at Norton bridge town to make Norton bridge reservoir. Then we turned to right (B328-Norton/ Maskeliya road) and followed Kalawaldeniya-Ginigathhena road in next junction to reach Aberdeen Falls.

Day 02
Aberdeen Falls (ඇබර්ඩීන් ඇල්ල)
Aberdeen is one of a popular and classy waterfall in Sri Lanka. As it is situated at the area called Aberdeen, it is named as Aberdeen fall. Before it gets this colonial name, locals called this waterfall as Eladona Ella / Kehelgamu falls (ඇලදෝනා ඇල්ල/ කෙහෙල්ගමු ඇල්ල). Aberdeen falls is created by Kehelgamu Oya which gets start from north east slope of Kehelgamuwa mountain range.
Height of Aberdeen fall is 98m and it is ranked as 20th highest waterfall of Sri Lanka.
There are two pathways to reach the base of Aberdeen falls from Ginigathhena town:

1. Ginigathhena-> Ella Uda Gama road
2. Ginigathhena-> Kalawaldeniya road

I have reached the base of Aberdeen falls in both ways. If you use public transport, you have to get Ella Uda Gama (ඇල්ල උඩ ගම) bus from Ginigathhena and get down where bus turns. It is about 1km distance to the base of the fall and cement steps can be seen at some places. If you come by your own vehicle, park the vehicle at the end of carpet road and walk from there.
On your way to Aberdeen falls along Ella Uda Gama road, you may come across a bend called Hulang Wanguwa (හුoල වන්ගුව) where upper part of Aberdeen falls is seen well. You may observe another three small waterfalls above proper Aberdeen

Aberdeen fall is visible when you descend along the path

Top of the Aberdeen falls

Lowest part of the fall

Full view of Aberdeen Falls

Aberdeen Falls

How it ends

View from ground level

Base pool of Aberdeen fall

Front view of Aberdeen Falls

There is a cave like place behind the water stream of Aberdeen.

Cave like place

Upper part of Aberdeen Falls

How it starts

Posed with Aberdeen Falls

Posed with Aberdeen Falls

Sand reef at base of Aberdeen Falls

Here you can see three upper cascades of Aberdeen falls. This picture was taken at Hulang Wanguwa.

A hotel situated at top of Kehelgamuwa mountain range.

Aberdeen Falls along Kalawaldeniya road
There is a foot pathway to reach the base of Aberdeen falls from Ginigathhena-Kalawaldeniya road (කලවැල්දෙනිය). Starting point is (6.948278, 80.498856).
Cement steps were built for the comfortability of travelers and pathway ends at an observation desk. Ginigathhena-Kalawaldeniya-Norton bridge road is not in much good condition compared to Ginigathhena-Ella Uda Gama road. Kalawaldeniya side of Aberdeen falls is more developed than Ella Uda Gama side. We have observed a lot of hotels and camping sites around the foot path. They will organize mini boat tours at the pool at upper Aberdeen falls.

Cement steps at Kalawaldeniya road to reach Aberdeen Falls

Aberdeen Falls with it’s observation point

Aberdeen Falls with it’s observation point

Aberdeen Falls

How it hits the floor

Base of the fall and sand reef

Upper part of Aberdeen Falls

Aberdeen Falls

Enjoy the beauty of Aberdeen falls https://youtu.be/0796WXnlwnE

Upper waterfalls of Aberdeen Falls also can be reached from Kalawaldeniya side. (You can reach upper falls from Ella Uda side as well). We could notice three upper cascades above classic Aberdeen falls. Entrance point to upper cascades is situated through a private premises. (6.947497, 80.501134)There is a clear foot pathway through this land and it will bring you to upper Aberdeen Falls-2. Upper Aberdeen Falls-2 has few steps and a base pool. Then we have gone down a bit to view Upper Aberdeen Falls-1 which is closer to proper Aberdeen Falls. After few meters we could notice the place where proper Aberdeen falls origins.

Upper cascades of Aberdeen falls (ඇබර්ඩීන් ඉහළ ඇලි)
There were three mini waterfalls situated above the proper Aberdeen falls. (There might be more but we could observe only three falls).

Top of Aberdeen Falls

Top of Aberdeen Falls

One of a hotels at Ella Uda side is seen to the top of Aberdeen falls

The exact point where Aberdeen falls plunges out

Upper Aberdeen Falls-1. This falls is about 10m tall and closest to the Aberdeen falls.

Upper Aberdeen Falls-1.

Upper Aberdeen Falls-1.

With Upper Aberdeen Falls-1.

Upper Aberdeen Falls-2. This can be considered as two separate falls. It has a nice pool where people ride boats.

Upper Aberdeen Falls-2. Closer view. Note it has two steps.

Upper Aberdeen Falls-2.

Upper Aberdeen Falls-2.

With Upper Aberdeen Falls-2.

After enjoying second steps we moved to the third fall. It is about 15m tall similar to Manna Kethi Ella. There is a base pool at bottom of this fall as well.

Upper Aberdeen Falls-3.

Lowest part of Upper Aberdeen Falls-3.

Upper Aberdeen Falls-3.

On top of fall No.2.

Video of Upper Aberdeen Falls-3: https://youtu.be/B34FLIhbSVw

After spending enough time with Aberdeen falls we have moved back to previously mentioned junction and followed the Norton-Maskeliya road (B328) to reach Lakshapana waterfall. Saptha Kanya range was standing our right hand side. At double cutting junction we turned to left. You can notice zero kilometer post at double cutting junction. At 4th mile post we have turned to Hangarapitiya road (හන්ගාරපිටිය පාර). This is the same road we have used to reach the trail head of Saptha Kanya pathway.
Lakshapana falls is the other majestic waterfall situated in Ginigathhena area. When you go along Hangarapitiya road, first you will come across the path to top of Lakshapana falls after about 3km from 4th mile post.

Zero kilometer post at double cutting junction.

Saptha Kanya range is seen at 4th mile post.

Lakshapana Falls / ලක්ෂපාන ඇල්ල (6.899249, 80.500780)

This massive waterfall of 115m height is formed by Maskeliya Oya after forming Maussakele reservoir. Maskeliya Oya origins from south west slope of Kehelgamuwa mountain range. This is one of the first waterfalls used for hydropower generation in Sri Lanka. Earlier it was named as Waddahiti Ella (වැද්දාහිටි ඇල්ල) and Wadihiti Ella (වැඩිහිටි ඇල්ල).
King Nissankamalla has stooped at this waterfall on his way to worship Sri Pada. He has lightened one hundred thousand of oil lamps (Lakshayak) here for God Saman. It is one reason for the Name of the waterfall.
Other reason is it flows over rock slab with bronze (ලාක්ෂා) mixed.
It is the 8th highest waterfall of Sri Lanka.
Maskeliya Oya later becomes Kelani River and joins with Kehelgamuwa Oya at Kalugala.
This is my third visit to Lakshapana falls. (Read about my second visit to Lakshapana Falls)

On top of Lakshapana Fall.

On top of Lakshapana Fall

Water plunges out to form Lakshapana falls.

Driving along the same road would come across the entrance to base of Lakshapana falls. It is a small junction with few food stalls and cement steps are there to reach the base of the fall.

Lakshapana fall through woods.

Lakshapana fall through woods.

Lakshapana Falls.

Lakshapana falls also has a base pool but reaching there is bit difficult due to boulders. This base pool seems fairly deep and not safe for bath.

Enjoying the fall from distance

Base of Lakshapana Falls

Lakshapana Falls.

Lakshapana Falls.

Large boulders obstructing the way to Lakshapana Falls.

This is my third visit to Lakshapana Falls.

This is my third visit to Lakshapana Falls.

After enjoying this massive beauty we returned back to the road and continued for another 1km. Seven Virgin hills were in our left hand side and we have stopped just after Virgin Hills Holiday bungalow. Virgin Hills Air crash memorial is situated about 200m away from main road. The foot pathway is not much clear as less number of visitors visit there now.

Aulanda Sohona / Dutch Memorial / Virgin Hills Air crash Memorial (6.899282, 80.492293)
This memorial was built for the passengers and crew who dead at Martin Air flight crash in December 04th 1974. There is another memorial built next to Norton Bridge Police station. But this memorial was built much closer to the place of air craft crash. It is situated at middle of a tea estate and it was unveiled by Indonesian and Maldives diplomats on 22nd July 1979.

Dutch Memorial was built closer to plane crash.

Seems nobody has given attention to it for a long time.

The plaque mentioning it’s opening

Renu Ella was the last destination of the day. Continuation along this road brought my memory one year back as we have used this road to reach Seven Virgins Hill. Renu Falls is situated at Jambuthanna which is another village come across in Hangarapitiya road.

Renu Ella (රේණු ඇල්ල)
Renu Ella is also formed by Kelani River. It is about 12m in height and popular among locals.

Renu Falls

Renu Falls

Renu Falls

Renu Falls

We refreshed from Renu Ella and headed to Kalugala where Hangarapitiya road joins with A6 road. Morahenagama Gerandi Ella (මොරහේනගම ගැරඩි ඇල්ල) is situated at another by road near Kalugala .But I decided to keep it for next time due to lack of time. It ended up two days journey to Nawalapitiya and Ginigathhena to enjoy waterfalls.
           

Thanks for reading