9 tips and activities for this beautiful place in sri lanka
Hatton might not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a trip to Sri Lanka, but trust us—this hidden gem is a must-visit. With its breathtaking tea plantations, impressive waterfalls, and challenging hikes, this destination offers the perfect mix of nature and adventure. Whether you want to climb Adam’s Peak, take a relaxing boat ride on a reservoir, or simply enjoy a cup of tea with a stunning view — Hatton has it all! Here’s everything you can do in this beautiful green paradise.
Visit the Devon Waterfall
View the St. Clair Waterfall from the Viewpoint
Conquer the Mighty Adam’s Peak
Marvel at the Impressive Reservoirs
Hike to the Laxapana Waterfall
Admire the Gartmore Waterfall from the Tea Plantations
Gartmore scenic road
Visit Shri Manikka Pillaiar Devasthanam
Experience Tea Culture at Mlesna Tea Castle St. Clair
Where to Stay and Eat in Hatton
How to Get to Hatton
Visit the Devon Waterfall
The Devon Waterfall is an impressive, tall waterfall that can be admired from a viewpoint. To reach the best spot, you take a short hike via a long staircase through the tea fields and along a valley. The trail begins at a temple-like entrance (Kattu Mariyamman Kovil Entrance) and leads you on a short but scenic walk to a stunning viewpoint. You can choose to follow the entire trail, but there are several viewpoints along the way where you can take beautiful photos.
If you're traveling by tuk-tuk or with a private driver, you can easily park at the top near the entrance, allowing you to start the walk right away. Don’t forget to wear proper shoes and bring a bottle of water. We visited the waterfall in the late afternoon and were almost the only ones there. And the best part? This waterfall is completely free!
In Sri Lanka huur je gemakkelijk een tuk-tuk om zelf het eiland te kunnen ontdekken. Bekijk hier alle opties!
View the St. Clair Waterfall from the Viewpoint
St. Clair Waterfall is also known as the “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka” and, with its wide, double stream, it’s one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in the country. You can easily spot it from the road. Want to enjoy the view in a relaxed setting with something to eat or drink? Then the St. Clair Waterfall Viewpoint Restaurant is the perfect place to take in the stunning view of the waterfall. It’s an ideal spot to unwind and soak in the beautiful surroundings. The area around the waterfall is beautifully green, with views of tea plantations and hills stretching across the entire region. This is an ideal stopover if you're traveling between Nuwara Eliya and Hatton, or vice versa.
Conquer the Mighty Adam’s Peak
Looking for a challenge? Then climbing Adam’s Peak is a must! The hike consists of a staggering 5,500 steps and starts from the village of Dalhousie (Nallathanniya). Between December and April, it gets particularly crowded due to pilgrimages, with locals of all ages making the journey to the massive temple at the summit.
Starting at around 2:30 AM, you begin the hike to catch the sunrise from the top. The climb takes about three hours and consists of different phases. The first hour is relatively manageable, with alternating stairs and flat sections. After that, it becomes increasingly challenging, culminating in steep, narrow stairs that will burn your legs and leave you breathless. After the sunrise, you begin your descent before it gets too hot. The descent takes an average of one and a half to two hours but can be tough on your knees.
Save time in Sri Lanka: all hotspots on one map
Geen tijd kwijt aan zelf uitzoeken welke plekken de moeite waard zijn. Onze Google Maps-kaart bevat al onze Sri Lanka-hotspots, van de bekende bestemmingen tot verborgen pareltjes door het hele land. Open ‘m in je Google Maps-app en je hebt alles wat je nodig hebt binnen handbereik.
Marvel at the Impressive Reservoirs
In the Hatton region, several dams have been built to create two water reservoirs: the Maussakelle Reservoir and the Castlereagh Reservoir.
The Maussakelle Reservoir has a unique history, as a submerged town lies beneath its waters. Here, an old hospital, a bus stop, and a temple can only be seen when the water levels are low. Additionally, gemstones can be found in the water, attracting local seekers when the levels drop—though collecting them is officially not allowed. You can take a boat ride or walk along the shore, enjoying the tranquility and the view of Adam’s Peak. We stayed at Butterfly Mountain Lakesidenear this reservoir, a top location to fully embrace the serene environment.
The Castlereagh Reservoir offers an equally impressive landscape, surrounded by endless tea fields and winding roads. It’s a perfect spot for a drive or walk through the green hills, occasionally passing a tea factory or small village along the way. In the early morning, there’s often a light mist hanging over the water, adding an extra magical touch to the view of the reservoir.
Hike to the Laxapana Waterfall
Visiting the Laxapana Falls is located in a peaceful area and is perfect for a short hike. The waterfall has two viewpoints. Want to see the upper part? Then just descend about thirty steps to reach the ‘upper viewpoint.’ For a breathtaking view of the entire waterfall from below, take a longer descent of around five hundred steps to the ‘lower viewpoint.’ From the spot where you park your scooter or tuk-tuk, a trail takes about twenty minutes to reach the lower viewpoint.
Along the way, you’ll hardly encounter other travelers—perhaps just a few locals. You might spot some curious monkeys, but don’t worry—they’re not as bold as the ones in Bali. If you’re up for a refreshing dip: you can swim at the bottom! Just watch out for leeches, especially after rainy days. The 500 steps back up take a bit longer—around thirty minutes.
TIP: Apply insect repellent against leeches and bring saltwater to remove any that latch on.
Admire the Gartmore Waterfall from the Tea Plantations
To reach this waterfall, you’ll have to endure a very bumpy road of about two kilometers—without a doubt the worst road we encountered in all of Sri Lanka. It’s therefore advisable to get dropped off a bit earlier or park your tuk-tuk halfway and walk the rest of the way on foot.
From the parking lot at the top of the road, you follow a short but beautiful hike to two different viewpoints: one at the top and one lower down near the base of the waterfall. Both spots offer spectacular views of the waterfall cascading down in several tiers. The best place to enjoy the view of the waterfall is from above, in the tea fields.
Gartmore Scenic road
The road to Gartmore Waterfall is no ordinary road. The route itself is stunning. Along the way, you'll be amazed by beautiful reservoirs and vast tea fields. Then the road takes you past a huge rock face with several small waterfalls cascading down the stones. Even if you don’t do the hike itself, the drive there is more than worth it.
Visit Shri Manikka Pillaiar Devasthanam
In the busy city of Hatton lies the colorful Hindu temple Shri Manikka Pillaiar Devasthanam. This special temple is dedicated to the elephant god Ganesha and is a place where locals daily offer flowers, coconuts, and oil lamps. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing—covered shoulders and knees—so you can enter via the stairs and admire the impressive interior. At the top of the stairs, you’re greeted by two enormous statues, and inside you’ll see beautifully painted pillars, colorful ceilings, and a prayer room.
The temple was fully renovated a few years ago, which is why the colors are still very vibrant. If you’re lucky, you might hear ritual chanting in the background or see a local priest performing a small ceremony. The temple is freely accessible.
TIP: Navigate to the front of the temple, at the curve of the main road opposite the gas station. Otherwise, Google Maps may lead you through a residential area with narrow and steep streets to the back of the temple.
Experience Tea Culture at Mlesna Tea Castle St. Clair
If you’re in a region full of tea plantations, a tea experience is a must! This tea castle is built in a medieval Scottish style as a tribute to James Taylor, pioneer of Ceylon tea. The building is enormous and offers a wide variety of delicious teas. It’s the perfect place to relax with a fresh cup of local tea and enjoy the view over the green hills.
The castle not only has a large shop but also a museum about the history of tea and a restaurant where you can taste fresh Ceylon tea. This is often served with cake or sandwiches. From here, you can see Devon and St. Clair waterfalls in the distance.
Where to Stay and Eat in Hatton
We recommend staying outside the town of Hatton, near the reservoirs, to fully enjoy the natural beauty and peaceful surroundings. Hatton itself is quite large and busy. One of the best places to stay is Butterfly Mountain Lakeside at the Maussakelle Reservoir. Here, you can not only stay overnight but also enjoy fantastic food. This hidden gem isn’t officially listed as a restaurant, but the food here is the best in the entire area!
The owners and staff are super friendly and helpful, the rooms are simple but clean, and the view over the lake with Adam’s Peak in the background is magical. Moreover, it’s a convenient base if you want to explore the surrounding waterfalls.
All the places from this post — and the rest of Sri Lanka — can also be found on our Sri Lanka Google Maps map.
How to Get to Hatton
Hatton is located on a beautiful route through the Sri Lankan hills and is easily accessible in several ways. From Nuwara Eliya, it takes about three hours, and from Kandy around four to five hours, depending on traffic and the type of transportation. You can drive yourself with a rental tuk-tuk for the ultimate sense of freedom, but keep in mind that the roads after Hatton towards the reservoirs can be quite bumpy and narrow.
An easier option is to hire a private driver, which is ideal if you prefer not to drive yourself through the winding mountain landscape. The train is also a great option: Hatton lies on the famous railway line between Kandy and Ella, one of the most scenic train routes in the country. From Hatton station, you can easily take a tuk-tuk or a local bus to your accommodation.
TIP: Book your train ticket in advance via 12go to secure a good seat on the train.
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Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
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About us
Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
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