Kanneliya: Walking the Southern Rainforest
Moderate · Galle District · Southern Province
Kanneliya is one of three forest blocks that make up the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 2004. It is mature wet evergreen rainforest, multi-layered and species-rich, an hour inland from Galle.
What you’ll walk through
The trails start at the information centre on the Udugama-Hiniduma road. They lead under the rainforest canopy to streams and waterfalls: Anagimale Ella lies near the entrance, Narangas Ella deeper in. The wider reserve spans 25,393 hectares between the Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga.
Wet-zone rainforest: bring leech socks and rain protection, and stay on the trails.
Access & permits
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. We could not confirm the managing body, any permit or any fee from an official source.
On the map
Pin 1 is Kanneliya. The others are the nearest places in our trail directory.
- Kanneliya: The rainforest reserve inland from Galle.
- Sinharaja, Kudawa entrance: Trail guide: the rainforest. About 22 km away.
- Bopath Ella: The Bo-leaf falls at Kuruwita. About 62 km away.
- Adam's Peak: Sri Pada, 2,243 m. About 65 km away.
Key landmarks & features
- Information centre - Where the trails begin.
- Anagimale Ella - A waterfall near the entrance.
- Narangas Ella - A waterfall deeper in the forest.
- The canopy - Multi-layered wet evergreen rainforest.
When to go
Early morning. Expect rain in any month.
Walk it with Hike Lanka
You can take this as a guided day trip, link it with nearby destinations into a multi-day trek, or build it into a custom Sri Lanka hiking itinerary. We handle transport, permits and the logistics; you walk. For a bigger rainforest, see our Sinharaja guide.
Nearby in the directory
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 TreksPlan a Custom Route