Train journey over the mountains of Sri Lanka to Ella

Train journeys are always fun, and I had another one here in Sri Lanka. And it was a joy. It started in Kandy and I got off in Ella after 8 hours of travel.

The landscape passing by the window was spectacular once again. It was the journey over the highest mountain range on the island. Past Adams Peak, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka (2243 m). Past Horton's Plain, where you can hike to the end of the world. Then Nuwara Eliya, the highest place in Sri Lanka, which reminded me of the Black Forest. The beautiful tea plantations passing by the window again and again. And eventually, when it was already dark, we reached Ella. The last mountain town before you reach the beaches in the south.

If you forget about the tourist crowds that overflow the town from the train, it is a nice little place where you can go hiking. That's what I did the next day, I hiked up to Ella Rock. It can be quite confusing, as I had read before. There are several forks in the road where you can easily get lost before finding the right path again. There are also self-proclaimed guides who, if you don't book them, are happy to lead you in the wrong directions. But once you reach the summit, the amazing view makes up for the sweaty climb.