Set in the Badulla District and just a little way off Ella and Wellawaya, the Diyaluma Waterfall is a must-visit for avid hikers and fall hoppers.
The climate is perfect (because Badulla is literally quite cool), and the hour plus long ascension doesn't tire you out.
The Climb
There are apparently three different ways to get there, but we had an experienced guy take us through the Uda Diyaluma track.
It goes through fields and fields of lemon grass, so you have this citrusy tinge in the air. Like very authentic and natural air freshner. You also get wild nelli trees — Lankan gooseberries — dotting the area.
The Fallhead
Random irrelevant trivia, but I kept hearing this as forehead instead of 'fallhead' and wondered why it was called that. Second only to the Bambarakanda Falls (263m) in height, Diyaluma cascades down a massive rock slab before tumbling frothily down 220 metres to its base.
There are a few rock pools just before the fall, some in which you can get into.
We wouldn't advise going there during the rainy season though because that would be insanity — you can't predict how the water will swell and if or if not the water would flood where you're at in a matter of minutes.
Also, though the wind was bearable when we were there, I've heard it can get super rough, in which case you're also at risk of getting buffeted over the edge if you stand too close to it.
The End.
Diyaluma is pretty amazing, especially when you're standing right at the top and looking down.
I was also told that it's a campable spot, and there's enough of flat space to pitch a tent in. It's a picturesque, uncluttered and unpolluted space, so if you visit please do keep it that way.
