Kurundu Oya Falls: Sri Lanka's Second-Highest Waterfall
Moderate · Nuwara Eliya District · Central Province
Kurundu Oya Falls, also called Maturata Ella, drops 189 m in two cascades about 20 m apart, making it the second-highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is also one of the least visited, hidden in tea country at the end of rough estate roads.
What you’ll walk through
The Kurundu Oya rises on the northern slopes of Pidurutalagala and later joins the Mahaweli. The usual approach is a drive up estate roads, some needing a 4×4, then a walk through tea to the falls: from Kandapola, from Padiyapelella through the Maturata estates, or from Walapane. Paths are unmarked. A small hydropower plant runs at the base.
Estate paths are unmarked and some roads need a 4×4. Go with local guidance.
Access & permits
We could not confirm any access rules or fee. The approach crosses working tea estates.
On the map
Pin 1 is Kurundu Oya Falls. The others are the nearest places in our trail directory.
- Kurundu Oya Falls: The second-highest waterfall, 189 m.
- Pidurutalagala: Military zone: not open to hikers. About 12 km away.
- Lover's Leap Falls: Through Pedro Estate, Nuwara Eliya. About 14 km away.
- Kikiliyamana: Summit, 2,240 m, above Nuwara Eliya. About 16 km away.
Key landmarks & features
- Twin cascades - Two drops about 20 m apart, 189 m in all.
- Maturata estates - The tea estates on the approach.
- Hydropower plant - A small plant at the foot of the falls.
- Kurundu Oya - The stream, rising on Pidurutalagala.
When to go
Dry weather for the estate roads; the flow is strongest in the wet months.
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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.
Nearby in the directory
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