The Pekoe Trail: Stage 16

Ella ⇌ Demodara
One of the most popular highland trails

STAGE IS CLOSED – Stage is officially closed due to safety or entrance restrictions.
RECOMMENDED TO AVOID THE STAGE – Refer to the stage profile on the official pekoe trail app for details.
STAGE IS OPEN – signage in place and trail conditions actively monitored.

Today’s hike is one of the shortest and most popular stages of The Pekoe Trail.

This stage begins in the popular hill-country town of Ella where travellers come to enjoy walks through tea plantations, nature, and generally to chill out. You will walk through the Ella Forest Reserve, passing the famous Nine Arches Bridge where you are sure to meet a few other hikers and visitors posing for photos. The trail also cuts across small local villages with stunning views of the Nine Arches Bridge from different vantage points.

Key Points
  • Nine Arches Bridge

  • Village roads

  • Newburgh tea factory

  • Demodara tea estate

  • Demodara railway

The Pekoe Trail hiking map for stage 16 - Ella to Demodara

Climb along more village roads towards the Newburgh Tea Factory and zig-zag towards chena cultivations, tea estates, railway tracks, and a small lake. One of the highlights of the stage includes the Demodara Tea Estate surrounded by tea trails. The stage ends at one of the most scenic train stations in the hill country: the Demodara train station. The station is most notable for its spiral rail line known as the ‘Demodara Loop’, which passes under itself, going around the loop and emerging from a tunnel that runs directly beneath the railway station.

Top attractions along Stage 16 of The Pekoe Trail

Explore the best attractions and points of interest from Ella to Demodara.
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Immersive experiences around the hip hilltowns Ella

Go off the beaten path with these unique experiences: learning to cook Sri Lankan food, taking an exhilarating train ride, and visiting tea estates.

Other Stages to Explore

Hill Towns and Cities along The Pekoe Trail

The Pekoe Trail winds its way across some of the most spectacular towns and cities in Sri Lanka’s central highlands. Make a pit stop in the tea country and explore these charming tea country towns each with their own unique landscape, attractions, and experiences.