Ella to Demodara
9.50 km · Easy · 3 hours · Badulla district
Stage 16 is the famous Nine Arches stage - the trail passes the colonial-era Nine Arch Bridge and the Demodara Loop, where the Badulla railway line spirals back over itself. Rated Easy. A short, high-reward day.
What you’ll walk through
Out of Ella town through Ella Forest Reserve, then onto village paths and small tea estates. The Nine Arch Bridge is the visual highlight - most walkers stop for the train passing through (check the schedule). The descent into Demodara follows the railway track to the loop.
Landmarks on this stage
- Ella Forest Reserve - Wooded section out of town.
- Gotuwala Ella - Small waterfall en route.
- Nine Arches Bridge - The colonial-era stone railway bridge - Pekoe Trail's most photographed structure.
- Railway Loop Demodara - Where the line spirals back over itself to gain elevation.
- Tunnel No 42 - A short railway tunnel the trail passes.
- Newburgh Tea Factory - Working factory mid-stage.
- Nine Skies Bungalow - Restored planter's bungalow near Demodara.
- Demodara Station - Stage finish at the loop station.
When to walk
Year-round - short distance, low elevation, easy grade. The Nine Arches train schedule is on the trail authority site.
Walk it with Hike Lanka
You can pick this stage as a day hike, link it with the adjacent stages as a section trek of three to seven days, or walk the entire 22-stage end-to-end trek with our small-group fourteen-day guided expedition. We handle lodging, permits, transport, and the on-the-ground logistics; you walk. You can also walk it with a guide as part of our five-day Haputale to Ella section, Stages 12 to 16.
Walk Stage 16 with us
Pick this stage as part of a custom section trek, or join the full end-to-end Pekoe Trek. A real guide responds to every enquiry.
Browse every Sri Lanka hiking tour we run, from Kandy day hikes and the Knuckles traverse to the full 22-stage Pekoe traverse.
Book the Full Trek Plan a Custom Route