Ranamure's Hiru Falls - also known as Aliya Wetunu Ella
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Hiru Ella close to the Kaluganga reservoir in the eastern region of Matale District is a small waterfall, just a little bit more than head high. However, they are among the few waterfalls in Sr Lanka that are wider than tall. "Hiru" means "sun" in the Sinhalese language. Among locals, the falls are better known as "Aliya Wetunu Ella", which translates to "fallen elephant waterfalls". However, the latter name also refers to a waterfall just at the opposite side of Sri Lanka's central highlands, viz. “Bolthumbe Ella” near Balangoda. So it's not wrong to call them Hiru Falls, as this is the name found in online maps, too.
The waterfalls of Hiru Ella are located at the dead end road from Guruwela Junction (which is at the meeting point of B274 from Hasalaka via Hettipola with the B312 from Naula via Elahera) to Ranamure and Narangamuwa at the northern foot of Lakegala. The distance from Huruwela Junction to the starting point of the short hike to Hiru Falls is only 1.5 km (1 mile). The bank of the Kaluganga reservoir is in only 400 m (a quarter mile) distance west of the Hiru waterfalls. The Kaluganga Dam, very close to Guruwela Junction, is in 1.8 km distance to the north from the said trailhead. Driving distance from Hettipola is 8.3 km (5.2 miles).
The hike is only a 250 meters l(800 feet) long. But the stream has to be crossed. What's even more awkward is that this is an area frequented by wild elephants. It's highly recommended not to visit the falls without being accompanied by a local who has a better guess where the elephants are staying or at what time they could move to the stream.
The waterfalls of Hiru Ella are located at the dead end road from Guruwela Junction (which is at the meeting point of B274 from Hasalaka via Hettipola with the B312 from Naula via Elahera) to Ranamure and Narangamuwa at the northern foot of Lakegala. The distance from Huruwela Junction to the starting point of the short hike to Hiru Falls is only 1.5 km (1 mile). The bank of the Kaluganga reservoir is in only 400 m (a quarter mile) distance west of the Hiru waterfalls. The Kaluganga Dam, very close to Guruwela Junction, is in 1.8 km distance to the north from the said trailhead. Driving distance from Hettipola is 8.3 km (5.2 miles).
The hike is only a 250 meters l(800 feet) long. But the stream has to be crossed. What's even more awkward is that this is an area frequented by wild elephants. It's highly recommended not to visit the falls without being accompanied by a local who has a better guess where the elephants are staying or at what time they could move to the stream.
