Elisha
Little Adam’s Peak hike offers one of the easiest ways to soak up incredible panoramic views of Ella and the surrounding mountains. This short and sweet hike in Sri Lanka takes you up to the perfect viewpoint just outside of town, and is an ideal sunrise or sunset excursion.
It’s not to be confused with Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada (a similarly shaped but very different mountain), which is located closer to Hatton and a holy place in Sri Lanka. Adam’s Peak is a much higher and longer hike, while Little Adam’s Peak can be accessed on a well-formed, winding footpath through the tea plantations of Ella.
I woke up well before sunrise one morning to take the stairs up to the small peak and was mesmerised by the orange glow of the rising sun as it peeked over the mountain range and soaked the valley with light. From the top, you can admire the incredible position of Ella against the backdrop of rolling hills and tea plantations.
If you’re spending a few days in Ella on your Sri Lanka itinerary, then this guide will help you plan your ultimate sunrise hike up Little Adam’s Peak. It’s easily one of my favourite things to do in Ella!
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Little Adam’s Peak Hike Overview
- Distance: 1.6 km return from the official trailhead (longer if you’re walking from your accommodation or elsewhere)
- Time: 15-20 minutes one way from official trailhead to summit
- Official trailhead: Little Adam’s Peak Trailhead on Google Maps (V396+M3 Ella, Sri Lanka)
- Highest point: 1, 141 m above sea level
- Difficulty: Easy-moderate (formed paths and stairs)
- Entrance ticket: Free
When to Do the Little Adam’s Peak Hike? Sunset or Sunrise?
Most people try to make it up Little Adam’s Peak at either sunset or sunrise for an incredible view of the mountains with the golden light of the sun. However, I highly recommend sunrise. This is when the locals will tell you is best and I have to agree with them.
Being in a higher elevation, Ella’s weather is usually better in the morning when the clouds are low and the mountain tops are clear. In the afternoon, the clouds can rise and build up around the hills obscuring the views (this happened to me when I attempted Ella Rock at sunset).
Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Ella: Essential Guide
The actual time of sunrise will vary depending on the time of year that you’re visiting. When I was visiting in September, sunrise was just before 6am. I got up at 4.30am at my homestay in town and made it up to the peak by 5.30am (I had to walk nearly 3km). Because the sun rises behind the mountains, it can take nearly 15-20 minutes for the sun to actually appear from behind the ridgelines in the distance.
If you’re not an early morning person, you can certainly hike the peak during sunset too, which is also beautiful and a little quieter. But you may run the risk of getting a cloudy sky.
I would also skip the rainy season, which is split into two: May to July and October to December. You’ll unlikely get any views and the grass will be infested with leeches! But it does rain more often in Ella than other places in Sri Lanka, so check the forecast before planning your sunrise mission because you can get rain at any time of year.
How to Get to Little Adam’s Peak Hike Trailhead?
There are two ways you can reach the Little Adam’s Peak trailhead. On the Ella-Passara Road (one of the main roads in Ella), you can reach it using two different paths that meet at the trailhead. The first option (and one that I used on my way up) is to take Beera Ella Pathana Road that turns off at Ella Flower Garden Resort and heads past Chillout Ella.
The second option is to head through the 98 Acres Resort and Spa which is further down the Ella-Passara Road and marked by a white Buddha statue. Both of these options will lead you to the main trailhead, which has a large sign indicating the footpath up to Little Adam’s Peak and the Flying Ravana Zipline. All of these important landmarks are pinned on the map below.
I opted to walk from my accommodation all the way up to Little Adam’s Peak and then back again. However, many people organise a tuk tuk to drop them at the trailhead, particularly for sunrise as otherwise you’ll be walking in the dark. You can also walk one way and grab a tuk tuk on the way down if you’re feeling tired. It all depends on where you’re staying in Ella and how far you’re keen to walk.
An easier option is to arrange a guided hike or join an Ella day tour that includes Little Adam’s Peak. Check out some of these options:
Where to Stay Near Little Adam’s Peak
If you’re looking to stay close to the Little Adam’s Peak hike and the Nine Arch Bridge, then it’s best to stay out of the Ella town centre and along the Ella-Passara Road. There’s some great accommodation options out there for all budgets, check out my recommendations:
Noname Hostel & Cafe | Across the street from both the Nine Arch Bridge trail and Little Adam’s Peak access road, this budget backpackers hostel is a great place to stay, with a shared kitchen and lounge, dormitory rooms, and cafe onsite. Check it out here.
Secret Nest Homestay | Located on Ella-Passara Road, this comfortable homestay offers a couple of double rooms. The friendly hosts are happy to provide local insight and cook delicious local meals for guests. Check it out here.
The Spice Lodge | A wonderful midrange option on the road up to Little Adam’s Peak, this lodge offers double rooms with a balcony and mountain views. With breakfast each morning served by the lovely hosts, it’s a highly rated, small-scale hotel in Ella. Check it out here.
98 Acres Resort & Spa | A famous resort in Ella with direct access to the Little Adam’s Peak trail, this place has safari style suites and rooms with mountain views. An outdoor pool and upscale restaurant make this a top pick in Ella. Check it out here.
Little Adam’s Peak Hike: Trail Notes
I left my homestay still half asleep at 4.45am. I headed down to the main Ella-Passara Road and turned left to start walking away from the Ella town centre. Once I reached Ella Flower Garden Resort, I turned right onto the road heading past The Chillout Ella. It slowly began to wind up to the trailhead past more homestays and tea plantations.
Coming up to the trailhead, I saw a huge sign pointing to the right indicating for Little Adam’s Peak (written as Mini Adam’s Peak, same same). I continued along on the wide, paved trail as it continued through the plantations and tea estate winding slowly upwards, nothing too taxing. There were some stalls all closed up as it was too early in the morning for anyone to be opening their shops.
Eventually, I reached the bottom of the stairs that start just outside of the Ravana Pool Club entrance. It’s clearly marked. I headed up the concrete stairs and climbed the last few hundred metres to the top.
The first viewpoint and official peak is marked by a small shrine and Buddha statue. This has a nice view of Ella town sprawled over a ridge in between towering peaks.
However, I recommend continuing on the trail for a better view. You’ll climb up onto another small peak which offers 360 degree views around the entire area and is the most popular spot for people to watch the sunrise.
You can also continue even further and follow the skinny, uneven dirt trail as it follows the undulating ridge out to further viewpoints. Hardly anyone makes it out to these spots, so it can be really nice to get away from the crowds that build up around the summit at sunrise.
You’ll find several stray dogs hanging around the peak but they’re usually harmless and very friendly. After the sun rose, a couple of locals also made their way up to sell souvenirs and fresh king coconuts.
After spending over an hour at the top taking photos, I headed back down to Ella-Passara Road, passing plenty of tuk tuks trying to score new customers. My next destination was Nine Arch Bridge, so I continued my morning hike across the road and through the forest to this famous bridge (more on this below)!
What to Bring on the Little Adam’s Peak Hike
While it’s not a long hike, you’ll still need some essentials, including:
- Drink bottle filled with water
- Headtorch (if visiting at sunrise or sunset)
- Maybe a snack or two to refuel
- Jumper or jacket as it can get cold and windy at the summit
- Decent walking shoes (you don’t need hiking boots but comfortable walking shoes is ideal)
- Camera or phone for photos
Is it Safe to Hike Little Adam’s Peak Alone?
Yes, it’s completely safe! I hiked Little Adam’s Peak solo from my homestay in Ella town. I had to walk nearly 2km from my accommodation to reach the trailhead in the dark by myself and I felt safe enough. Once I was at the summit, I met many other backpackers and tourists.
There were a couple of tuk tuks in Ella town when I left my homestay early in the morning who offered a ride, but I was happy to walk and allowed enough time for the entire way before the sun would rise. Locals are used to seeing people walking Little Adam’s Peak at sunrise or after sunset, so I don’t think you’ll face many problems.
Little Adam’s Peak vs Ella Rock: Which is Better?
Ella is considered the hiking capital of Sri Lanka. There’s plenty of trails and hikes to do in the hills around Ella offering incredible views over the highlands and tea plantations. The two most popular hikes are Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock, and both are definitely worth doing.
Little Adam’s Peak is a much easier and shorter trail on a well-formed, signposted path. It’s also more accessible from Ella town and offers the perfect sunrise mission without too much hassle.
In comparison, Ella Rock requires a much longer hike (most of which is along the train tracks) and can be difficult to follow in the dark (if you’re planning a sunrise or sunset hike). But it is a nice way to get outside of town and explore the rural communities around Ella. Ella Rock also has an entry fee, whereas Little Adam’s Peak remains free (for now!).
Both peaks offer incredible views. Although, I personally preferred the view from Little Adam’s Peak, because you had almost an unobstructed panoramic view of Ella, Ella Rock, Ella Gap towards Udawalawe National Park, and the surrounding valleys. If you’re short on time, I would definitely recommend doing Little Adam’s Peak. But, if you enjoy walking and have time, then why not do both? Both hikes offer a great way to explore Ella.
What to Do After Little Adam’s Peak Hike
After you’ve finished your sunrise hike to Little Adam’s Peak, you can head off on more adventures around Ella with a whole day ahead of you. I recommend:
Go Ziplining at 98 Acres Resort
On the way back from your sunrise hike, I recommend stopping in at the Flying Ravana Zipline part of the 98 Acres Resort or the Ella Swing located just further down at Ravana Pool Club. This offers a completely unique way to see the tea plantations and soak up the incredible views around Ella.
Take Photos at Nine Arch Bridge Without the Crowds
The famous Nine Arch Bridge is one of the most highly anticipated attractions in Ella. This means that it’s always crowded any time after 9am. But due to it’s convenient location not far from Little Adam’s Peak, it’s a great idea to quickly head to the bridge after a sunrise mission at the peak.
Simply head back down from Little Adam’s Peak to the Ella-Passara Road. There’s a couple of ways to get to the bridge from different angles. You can find one of the main access points and trails to the bridge just up the road from Ella Flower Garden Resort. It’s marked as Nine Arches Bridge Path on Google Maps and takes you to the west side of the bridge near the tunnel.
Another trail to the bridge can be accessed heading down from Ella Flower Garden Resort. There’s a side road on the left which is marked by a small shrine and temple. You’ll pass a few small homestays and lodges on the way to the bridge. It provides access to the east side of the bridge.
I’d already visited the bridge on my first day in Ella, but decided to go back after my sunrise hike up Little Adam’s Peak. While I didn’t catch the train going over it like my first visit, it was a lot quieter with just a handful of people wandering about. If you want nice photos on the bridge without the crowds in the background, then definitely head there early in the morning.
Take the Ella to Badulla Train and Back
If you want to enjoy the beautiful train journey in the highlands without the crowds of the Kandy to Ella ride, then I suggest taking the short trip from Ella to the end of the line in Badulla.
The journey from Ella to Badulla is only about an hour one way. I recommend taking the first train in the morning from Ella to Badulla which is the Night Mail Train departing Ella at 6:35 am (when I did, it was an hour delayed so it left at 7:35 am). However, if you’ve been to Little Adam’s Peak for sunrise, you might not make this train on time. You could otherwise take the 13:24 pm or 15:09 pm train instead.
The train carriage was completely empty when I got on at Ella, so you can enjoy the ride with just a few locals. I could sit in the doorways, walk around with ease, and admire the views in peace. This section also includes the train going over the famous Nine Arch Bridge, which is between Ella and Demodara station.
To head back from Badulla to Ella, you can take the 8:30 am, 10:15 am, 11 am, or 17:50 pm train. If you have time in Badulla before the next train, jump in a tuk tuk and head to Dunhinda Waterfall, just 7km or 20 minutes down the road.
It’s about 1.5 km or a 30 minute walk to the viewpoint of the waterfall. Allow two hours for the total visit to and from the train station. Entrance to Dunhinda Waterfall is 350 LKR (USD $1.50) for foreigners. Expect to bargain around 1500-2000 LKR (USD $5-7) for a tuk tuk to and from the train station.
Want More Things to Do in Ella? Essential Guide to Ella, Sri Lanka
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