St. Clairs Falls – සාන්ත ක්ලෙයාර් ඇල්ල

Height :	80 meters
District :	Nuwara Eliya

Most conveniently seen by the travelers on Hatton – Talawakelle Road, the twin waterfalls of St.Clairs cascades over three rock outcrops into a massive pool. The beautiful and most popular fall, located among tea gardens, carries a large volume of water, and is the widest waterfall in the country. The fall is situated over 500 m. away from the road, and one needs to walk down among the tea bushes at a steep gradient in order to reach it.

Located on the Kotmale Oya, this fall will be affected by the proposed Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project, but for the benefit of the public a limited quantity of water will be released to prevent complete disappearance of the fall.

Downstream to the main fall is a second waterfall of 50 m in height called Kuda Ella, which is best visible at the curve near 90 km post. At this point, though far, complete fall of St. Clairs is visible including the last section that was partly hidden.

The main fall is located 3 km from Talawakele.

Unfortunately the recently commissioned Upper Kotmale Hydro power project has effected seven waterfalls out of which 5 are major tourist attractions in the country. These are

1. Devon Falls
2. St Claire’s Falls
3. Puna Oya Ella Falls – ( 70% reduction in the water flow)
4. Ramboda Ella Falls – ( 50% reduction in the water flow)
5. Dunsinane Falls ( Pandalu Oya Falls)
6. St. Andrews Falls (50m) – expected to disappear altogether
7. Hollywood Falls (25m) – ?

St Claire’s Falls waterfall will be one of the most effected waterfalls and the Government has ordered relevant authorities that enough water will be released so that the St. Clair’s waterfall will maintain a continuous flow of 47,250 m3 (1,668,618 cu ft) of water for 10 hours and 30 minutes daily, between sunrise and sunset. But the water has dwindled to such an extent that it has lost all its glory now.

Also See

• Waterfalls of Sri Lanka
  • –  indexed by name
  • –  indexed by location
  • –  indexed by height
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Map of St. Clairs Falls

St. Clairs Falls Video

An informative video clip by Nade Gura Travel & Conservation Society

Travel Directions to St. Clairs Falls

The waterfall lies on the main route to Nuwara Eliya from Colombo after passing Hatton. You can view the fall from the main road itself or climb down the tea estate for a better view.

Route from Colombo to St. Clairs Falls	Route from Nuwara Eliya to St. Clairs falls
Though : – Avissawella – Hatton Distance : 136 km Travel time : 3.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Though : Hatton Road Distance : 29 km Travel time : 1 hour Driving directions : see on google map