Trekking Rathna ella along Haslaka Oya

Rathna Ella is a beautiful waterfall located at Haslaka. The Waterfall can be reached easily from Hasalaka. Hasalaka to Rathna Ella Wasama and from there 2-3 Km walk to reach the falls. This is the popular route to the falls. But, we tried a different route which we started from Popitiya (18 Bends Viewing Area).

In our journey we also planned to visit the Seetha Kotuwa which is located at Gurulupotha. So we started early around 7 am from Kandy and reached Gurulupotha at around 9:30 am. There is a 1 km foot path to reach Seetha kotuwa from main road.

History

Rathna Ella – “Superstitious villagers say that there were seven vessels filled with precious stones hidden close to the fall, but five of them have now been found. However, anyone attempting to find the final two will meet an untimely death at the bottom of the fall”

-Amazinglanka

Seetha Kotuwa – “This is the place where the city of Lankapura once stood. The city had a beautiful palace for queen Mandothari surrounded by waterfalls, streams and varieties of flora and fauna. Seetha Devi was kept in this palace until she was moved to Ashoka Vatika. Seetha Kotuwa means Seetha’s fort and got its name because of Seetha Devi’s stay here.”

-Ramayanatours

Direction

Path

Seetha Kotuwa

Seetha Kotuwa

Seetha Kotuwa

Stairs

Stairs

Stairs

The Water stream is located near the Seetha kotuwa. We followed the stream up and we found the lime stones and waterfalls which we wanted to see.

Lime Stone Formations

Lime stone formations

Lime stone formations

Lime stone formations

There are around 4 waterfalls can be seen at the top. Our timing was not good and water levels were low. But we could imagine the beauty if it is with full flow.

Waterfall 1

Waterfall 2

Another View

Return to Seetha Kotuwa

After Seetha kotuwa we came back to Gurulupotha and got in to a bus and got down at popitiya. Popitiya is the place where we have the 18 bend viewing area. The road to Hasalaka oya starts just opposite to this. We hired a 3 wheeler and travelled 4 km to reach the Suspension bridge over hasalaka Oya. A new bridge is under construction. We started our trekking along the haslaka oya around 11.45 am.

New Bridge

In to the Hasalaka Oya

Beautiful path

Natural Beauty

Searching for GPS signals

Beauty with Low water Level

Easy Walk?

Path

Reflection

Nice place to rest

Top of a cascade

Cascade

Only Fall

Obstacle in the path?

After walking around 1-2 km we reached Na kanda wala (as per google). We couldn’t go along the stream due to this barrier. So we took an alternative route skipping this and reached a paddy field above the stream.

After this we got back to the track along the stream. At this place also able see another beautiful cascade.

Paddy fields – No Cultivation

Na kanda wala cascade

Na kanda wala cascade

Journey continues

Difficult paths

Difficult paths

Path – Only through stream

Another Cascade

Better view

Our Path

Can you see water prints?

Reaching close- another cascade

Rathna Ella? No

Here we go.

Top of upper rathna ella falls

from the bottom

Team

We reached the upper rathna ella falls around 2 pm at average speed and frequent breaks. This waterfall is a beauty. Descending this falls will take you to the top of rathna ella.

From Bottom

Best View – Galpadihela?

Even Better

Upper Rathna Ella Falls

Upper Rathna Ella

Time for a fish therapy

Searching for a path to descend.

Any chance?

Rathna Ella top part

Perfect view

From top

Team

Rathna Ella

Resting time

We found a path to descend the fall. But it’s very steep. After reaching the base there is a nice base pool. We had nice bath there and had some biscuits for lunch. At around 5 pm we packed things and started on our way to Hasalaka. There is a 3-4 km walk to the village and we took a 3 wheeler to Hasalaka. From Hasalaka we caught the bus to Kandy. It was another memorable trip.

View from Far

Rathna Ella

Zoomed

Usual Known Path

Canal

Happy Journey

Thanks For Reading…