Those who have visited or planned to visit Sri Lanka are no stranger to Adam’s Peak, a 2,243 m tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. But no, today I’m going to talk about Little Adam’s Peak which is located 130km away in Ella. Stands at only 1,141m high, Little Adam’s Peak is nowhere near its more famous big brother whether in terms of height, difficulty or religious significance. In fact, Little Adam’s Peak is not a sacred religious site.
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Then why exactly is it named, “Little Adam’s Peak”?
Generally, the locals started naming this small mountain due to its shape resemblance to its big brother, and the name stuck with it ever since. And since Ella is such a popular tourist destination, Little Adam’s Peak unsurprisingly garnered the attention of these foreign backpackers since it’s a fairly easy hike but offers rewarding panoramic view at the top. It stands just opposite Ella rock, another popular hike among tourists.
Like many other travellers, we did intend to climb the more challenging Adam’s Peak but we change our plans after realising that our trip clashes with the country’s Wesak celebration. So, when we were in Ella, we decided to climb Little Adam’s Peak as a consolation.
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| Our tuk tuk driver dropped us at a road side and we had to walk pass this barricade towards the trail head |
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| View along the way |
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| Sign board to remind us of social responsibility |
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| That should be Ella Rock |
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| Path towards 98 Acres Resort Heli Pad |
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| Reaching the trail head soon |
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| I think of this stairs as the trail head |
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| Plenty of stairs to take |
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| View of Ella resorts |
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| From stairs to this path |
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| Final push to the first summit |
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| Some shelter on the summit |
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| Altar for praying? |
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| Panoramic view |
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| The sight of another summit but we did not go there since the sun was setting soon and we didn't have head lights with us |
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| Valley view |
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| Other hikers making their way towards the other summit |
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| I wanted to go there but Fung and MJ weren't interested, so I stayed put with them |
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| Only a couple of hikers were there |
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| I reckon about another 10-20 minutes to the other peak |
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| Would look a lot better if it's in golden colour |
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| Making our way back to the first summit earlier |
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| Sign board pointing us towards some cafe but we didn't go there |
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| We found a resting spot for some photograph |
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| Nine Acres Resort |
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| Solo shot |
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| My signature #sexyback pose |
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| Wondering whether that is Ella Rock |
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| Please be careful when sitting on the edge, it's steep and deadly |
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| Another pose |
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| And another |
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| My favourite view of the day |
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| View of another angle |
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| Don't fall |
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| One last photo before we left |
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| Our only wefie that day |
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| The sun was setting so we quickly left before it turned dark |
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| Saw these dogs on our way down |
Getting To Ella
Coming from Nuwara Eliya
The train ride from Kandy bound to Badulla is well known for being the most scenic train in Sri Lanka, but the prettiest section is the stretch from Nanu Oya to Ella, specifically as it is approaching Ella. Therefore, even though it is possible to take a bus from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, I would still recommend taking the train from Nanu Oya. It takes 2 and a half hours to Ella, so be sure to board the morning or noon train, in order to not to miss the scenic view (it turns dark early here in Sri Lanka).
Train from Nanu Oya to Ella: 2 hours 30 mins (train bound for Badulla, alight at Ella), LKR 110 per person (second class)
Coming from Haputale
Instead of going straight from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, you may also break your trip by adding a stop at Haputale which sits right in the middle (6 stations from Nanu Oya, 7 stations from Ella). The train ride from Haputale to Ella takes only approximately 1 hour.
Train from Haputale to Ella: 1 hour 15mins (train bound for Badulla, alight at Haputale), LKR 25 per person (third class)
More about the scenic train ride here >> Sri Lanka | From Kandy to Ella – One of The World’s Most Scenic Train Ride
Ella Railway Station
Address: Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway, Ella, Sri Lanka
Getting To Little Adam’s Peak
The easiest way to get to the trail head of Little Adam’s head is to hit the trail right next to Ella Flower Garden Resort. You will see a big sign of Flying Ravana Mega Zipline and Little Adam’s Peak, which is 500m away. Alternatively, you can also get to the same trail head from 98 acres resort. Both trail will lead you to Flying Ravana Mega Zipline as well as the stairways to Little Adam’s Peak, the trail head.
Little Adam’s Peak trail head
Address: 98 Adventures (Pvt) Ltd, Little Adams Peak Uva Greenland Estate, Ella - Passara Rd, Ella 90090, Sri Lanka
GPS Coordinates: 6.866071, 81.062155
Admission fee: Free
Tuk tuk from Ella to Little Adam’s Peak trail head: 20 mins, LKR 1000 round trip including Little Adam’s Peak (sharing by 3 persons)
Time needed to complete the Little Adam’s Peak: 1-2 hours
The Hike
I wanted to describe the hike in more words, but there really isn’t much to talk about. It’s clearly marked, and I don’t think anyone would get lost there. There’s a bit of stairs to climb but it doesn’t take long before you reach the first view point. From there, you can hike further towards the second peak which offers more or less the same view.
Let the photos do the talking, shall we?
Best Time To Hike
The best time to hike Little Adams Peak is in the early morning or in the evening when the temperature is lower. If you start early before dawn, you may even get to see sunrise at the summit. Just make sure to bring along head lights to shine the way in the dark. If you’re not an early riser, you can also hike the peak during sunset, but similarly, bring along head lights so that you can hike back down safely after the sun has set.
I don’t recommend hiking Little Adam’s Peak during the day, as it can get incredibly hot.
Getting out of Ella
After a couple of days in Central Sri Lanka for the lush plantation and misty mountains, you should be making your way towards the southern coastal beach town. But not before you make a trip to the safari, something you certainly shouldn’t miss while in Sri Lanka.
If you are looking for a safari tour in Sri Lanka, chances are you are looking at either Udawalawe or Yala National Park.
To Udawalawe
There is no train from Ella to Udawalawe National Park, but there are buses you can take. You would want get to Udawalawe latest by afternoon to make it for the afternoon safari tour, in which case you would need to board a morning bus since the journey requires one transfer at Thanamalwila and the total journey will take you around 4 hours including the transfer.
Bus Stand Passara Balla Ketuwa
Address: 39 Passara Rd, Ambagollapathana, Sri Lanka
Bus from Ella to Thanamalwila: 2 hours, LKR 110 per person
Thanamalwila Bus Station
Address: A2, Thanamalwila, Sri Lanka
Bus from Thanmalvila to Embilipitiya: 1 hour 15 mins, LKR 90 per person
To Yala
If your choice is Yala, you would need to take a bus to Tissamahara, the launching point of Yala safari tour. The journey also normally requires a transit in Thanamalwila.
Bus from Ella to Thanamalwila: 2 hours
Bus from Thanmalvila to Tissamahara: about 1 hour
Final Words
Little Adam’s Peak is a fun half day hike for those looking for a little outdoor activities that is easy yet rewarding. The hike is not challenging, which gives you the opportunity to take in all the spectacular views. You’ll get a much better idea of the landscape, and get the chance to photograph the amazing surroundings, without the effort of climbing the more challenging Adam’s Peak.
So the next time you visit Ella, why don’t include the hike to Little Adam’s Peak into your itinerary?
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