Elgin Falls

Elgin Falls as seen from the train.

Situated around 1 900 m above the sea level, within the boundaries of the Elgin Tea Estate, the Elgin Falls is bit of an elusive scenery to a railway passenger in Sri Lanka. This, picturesque waterfall can be seen (on the right side of the track) for a brief moment when travelling from Nanu Oya to Ambewela by train. However, one has to be in the right time of the year to see the full capacity, since this waterfall tends to dry up more and more with deforestation.

Elgin Falls consists of three stages (arguably considered as three separate waterfalls sometimes) and only a part of one of those stages is visible to the railway track. For hardcore waterfall enthusiasts, it is possible to see this beauty in few more different angles by trekking down through the tea estate. The nearest train-halt would be Parakumpura and the nearest railway station is Ambewela.

Quick Facts

	Total height	25 m (82 ft.)
	No. of drops	3 (or 1?)
	Watercourse	A tributary of Dambagasthalawa Oya
	Altitude	About 1 900 m above m.s.l.

Travel Notes

Following are based on the observations from the train, on 2007-01-02.

• Getting a clear view of the waterfall from the moving train would not be that difficult on a bright day. However, taking a clear photo would be completely a different challenge.
• Chance of seeing the waterfall is much higher when you are travelling up-hill (towards Ambewela from Nanu Oya) since it is in an angled direction from the railway track.