Nestled among the lush green mountains of the hill country, Maskeliya is one of the most beautiful towns in Sri Lanka. Maskeliya has a unique mountainous beauty adorned by spectacular waterfalls and endless tea plantations. If you love to go waterfall hunting, this is the ideal place in Sri Lanka. Definitely, the lovely Maskeliya town will amaze you with its mind-blowing natural beauty. On the other hand, it is usually overlooked by tourists since Maskeliya is located in a rather rural area. But this town is a hidden paradise blessed with many attractions including captivating landscapes and lush green vegetation.
Maskeliya town locates around 20 km from Hatton. Thousands of pilgrims travel through it every year on their way to Adam’s Peak. Therefore, Maskeliya becomes a busy place during the pilgrimage season runs from December to April. Furthermore, Maskeliya is one of the coldest spots in Sri Lanka. It is comfortably cool and breezy during midday, while it becomes chilling cold at night. If you are visiting this area, you’ll need to pack clothes including jackets and caps to stay warm.
Moreover, it is an amazing place with cultural diversity. You’ll see Maskeliya is brimming with Hindu-dominated shops and religious places. Another noticeable feature in this region is the colonial buildings date back over a century. These British bungalows are still in use as the residences of tea estate superintendents or holiday bungalows. Without a doubt, you can enjoy a quiet and relaxing getaway in these charming places in Maskeliya.
In this post, we are going to show you around this marvelous place and its surroundings. Here we have listed the top 10 attractions, you shouldn’t miss in the Maskeliya area.
1. Castlereigh Reservoir
The picturesque Castlereigh Reservoir is among the most popular attractions in Maskeliya. Encircled by tall green peaks, this stunning reservoir is hidden in a valley between Adam’s Peak and Hatton. The surrounding of the reservoir ranges from alpine forests to well-groomed tea plantations. There is no doubt, Castlereigh Reservoir looks like something straight out of a fairytale and it is considered one of Sri Lanka’s best-kept secrets.
Castlereigh Reservoir is one of the most tranquil locations in the hill country. From a distance, the water in the reservoir is turquoise blue and the vegetation around the reservoir is lush green. This contrasting color combination makes Castlereigh Reservoir one of the most photogenic locations in Sri Lanka.
There are lots of outdoor activities on offer in the area. You can go canoeing along the cool clear waters of the reservoir. Moreover, you can cycle through the surrounding hills, or simply enjoy a picnic on the banks of the lake. There are some charming bungalows along the reservoir’s banks to provide accommodations to visitors.
2. Maskeliya Reservoir
The Maskeliya Reservoir also known as the Maussakelle Reservoir is one of the large lakes you’ll find in Maskeliya. The Maskeliya dam creates this reservoir over the route of Maskeliya Oya. Along with the Castlereigh Dam, Maskeliya Dam makes the highest points of the Laxapana Hydropower Complex. It is one of the main attractions in Maskeliya.
3. Sunken town of Maskeliya
When Maussakelle Reservoir was created in 1968, the old Maskeliya town was submerged in the water. During extreme droughts, the Moussekelle Reservoir dries up and this old town reemerges from the bottom of the lake. This is a rare scenery that happens only in a few years. Looking like a ghost town, these ruins attract large crowds to the Maskeliya area to witness this strange scene.
This sunken town is one of the most famous attractions in Maskeliya town. Getting a glimpse of the remnants of old buildings is a wonderful experience. There are many ruins, including Buddhist temples, Hindu Kovils, mosques, and old stone bridges built in the colonial era. The sad fact is all these priceless treasures are submerged underwater and become invisible during the rainy season.
4. Adam’s Peak
Maskeliya has been a popular destination in Sri Lanka because of its close proximity to the pilgrimage destination, Adam’s Peak. This is the country’s second-highest peak at 2,223 m above sea level. The climbing season runs from December to April of the next year. The view of Adam’s Peak in the background across the beautiful Moussekelle reservoir is wonderful scenery in the Maskeliya area.
5. Seven Virgins Mountain Range
The Seven Virgins Mountain is one of the main attractions in the Maskeliya area. Calls as Saptha Kanya in Sinhalese, this mountain range consists of seven peaks. It is one of the best hiking places in Sri Lanka. Definitely, the sunrise from the peak offers a striking view to the visitors.
Seven Virgins Mountain trail suits travelers who would love to add some adventure to their trip. Although it is a fairly strenuous hike, you’ll adore this unique unspoiled place. Since this area is filled with lavish natural vegetation, adventurers who are hiking the mountain need to walk through thick green bushes and steep slopes.
As well, you can camp near the mountain and continue climbing the next day. It’s a good idea to take a local guide with you since there aren’t well-defined pathways to hike Seven Virgins Mountain.
6. Martin Air Crash site
The Seven Virgins Mountain range became a well-known place after the tragic incident of a plane crash at the fifth mountain peak. The crash of Dutch Air charter Martinair Flight 138 occurred at this mountain range on 4th Dec 1974. This was the first and worst air disaster in Sri Lanka.
The plane was a DC8 Jetliner carrying Indonesian Muslim pilgrims who were flying to Mecca. The plane crashed at Seven Virgins Mountain in Maskeliya killing all 191 passengers & crew. A recovered tire from the plane is displayed and a small memorial has been built in the town of Norton Bridge.
7. Laxapana Falls
Maskeliya is famous as a splendid location with plenty of waterfalls. One such beautiful waterfall is Laxapana Falls which is a famous abseiling spot in the country. 126 m high, the remarkable Laxapana waterfall is the 8th highest in Sri Lanka. It is situated about 16 km from Maskeliya town on Norton Bridge Road. In the background of the mighty Seven Virgins Mountain range, this fall is a treat to the eye.
8. Gartmore Falls
Gorgeous Gartmore Fall call as Sri Pada Falls, as it is located close to the top of Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada. This is a 25 m high, stunning waterfall. It is located in Gartmore Estate and there are viewing booths on the way to visit it. Gartmore Fall is fed by two streams that join above the falls. Each of these two streams creates waterfalls named Upper Gartmore Falls and Lower Gartmore Falls. In combination, they are called Gartmore Falls.
You can experience its true beauty and adventure by reaching the upper Gartmore falls. You may need to travel about 6 km that runs through the tea estate. The Upper Gartmore Fall is quite famous as a camping spot. Due to the scenic beauty of the area, it is becoming more popular among the locals.
9. Moray Falls
Moray Falls is another waterfall that joins the Maussakelle Reservoir. This 40 m high waterfall breaks into three cascades creating a remarkable view. It is located in the Moray Estate and can be reached by the footpaths along the estate.
One of the most striking features of beautiful Maskeliya is the majestic view of the combination of Gartmore & Moray Falls. These two falls are located less than 500 m apart and cascade down into the Maussakelle Reservoir on different sides. If you go to the middle of the lake, you can enjoy the beauty of these pair of waterfalls from the same angle. Definitely, the view of two beautiful waterfalls in the same place is one of the major attractions in Maskeliya.
10. Aberdeen Falls
Aberdeen Falls is a 98 m high stunning waterfall in the Maskeliya area. This is one of the tallest, iconic waterfalls in Sri Lanka. It was named after Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland. This gorgeous fall is located amidst lush forests in a surreal landscape. There are large granite boulders behind the fall. The Observation platform at the end of the path provides a magnificent view of the fall. It is possible to swim in this large pool during the dry season.
Accommodation in Maskeliya
If you are looking for accommodation in Nuwara Eliya or Maskeliya, there isn’t a better place than CeylonTea Trails. This is a wonderful hotel complex that comprises 5 bungalows. These bungalows are located around the Castlereagh Reservoir. In fact, these bungalows are former British colonial tea planters’ houses.
Hiking and trekking between these bungalows is a famous activity among the guests of Ceylon Tea Trails. without a doubt, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the area while enjoying the premium facilities of this world-famous hotel.
Visiting Maskeliya will be a wonderful experience, whether you’re traveling alone, with your family, or with friends. Remember to visit these major attractions in Maskeliya while touring in the area. You’ll see the sceneries are incredible with shimmering reservoirs and mountain ranges looming in the distance. Moreover, you can enjoy the fresh mountain air and the inspiring views of the peak wilderness area. If you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway, Maskeliya will be the ultimate idyllic destination in Sri Lanka.
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Facebook & Twitter. All copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
