Diyaluma Falls & the Upper Pools
5-6 km round trip to upper pools · Moderate · 3-4 hours · Badulla District · Uva Province
Diyaluma is the second-highest waterfall in Sri Lanka - 220 m (720 ft), fed by Punagala Oya. What makes it a hike rather than a roadside stop is the network of natural rock pools at the top, fed by the same river just before the cliff. Reaching them is a steady 2.5-3 km climb from the village near Koslanda through tea-estate and forest terrain. The name “Diyaluma” means “liquid light” in Sinhala.
What you’ll walk through
The base of the falls is visible from the Colombo-Badulla A4 highway near the 207 km marker. The hike to the upper pools starts further up the road at a small trailhead near the Poonagala plantations. The trail climbs through tea estates and small forest patches, gaining roughly 400 m. The upper pools are a sequence of natural rock basins on the river just upstream of the cliff edge. The lower pools are wadeable and a known swim spot; the cliff-edge pool is dangerous and we do not recommend it.
The cliff-edge "infinity pool" has killed people. We do not approach it on guided trips. The lower pools are the safe swim.
Key landmarks & features
- A4 Koslanda viewpoint - The roadside view of the falls from below - full 220 m drop visible.
- Punagala Oya - The river feeding the falls - also feeds the upper pools.
- Tea-estate climb - Mid-trail Poonagala estate paths.
- Forest passage - Short section of secondary forest before the pools.
- Upper rock pools - Natural basins on the river above the cliff. Lower ones are safe swims; cliff-edge pool is hazardous.
When to walk
Year-round but the pools are most pleasant in Dry Season (January-March). The cliff approach is dangerous in heavy rain - pools fill fast and water flow accelerates.
On the map
Pin 1 is Diyaluma Falls. The others are the nearest places in our trail directory.
- Diyaluma Falls: Trail guide: the upper pools.
- Lipton's Seat: The viewpoint above Dambatenne. About 6 km away.
- Ravana Falls: Roadside falls below Ella. About 12 km away.
- Thangamale: The bird sanctuary ridge near Haputale. About 13 km away.
Nearby in the directory
Walk it with Hike Lanka
You can pick this hike as a guided day trip, link it with adjacent destinations into a multi-day trek, or build it into a custom Sri Lanka hiking itinerary. We handle transport, permits, and the on-the-ground logistics; you walk.
Walk this trail with us
Join a guided day hike, plan a multi-day itinerary, or ask us anything about Sri Lankan trekking. A real guide responds to every enquiry.
Browse Guided Treks Plan a Custom RouteSources, with our guides’ own knowledge of the route. Conditions change; ask us before you go.