Nine Arches Bridge, Ella

The Nine Arches Bridge spans a steep, forested valley at Demodara, just outside the hill town of Ella. Built during British rule and opened in the early 1920s, its curving brick-and-stone arches carry the main hill-country railway, and the setting among jungle and tea bushes makes it one of the most photographed spots in Sri Lanka.

Short trails lead down to viewpoints and onto the bridge itself, and many visitors time their visit to watch a train cross. The ride to Ella from Kandy or Nuwara Eliya is an experience in its own right, winding past waterfalls, tea estates and misty valleys.

Check train times with your guide, as they change, and stay off the tracks when a train is due. Pair the bridge with the easy walk up Little Adam’s Peak for views over the Ella Gap. We reserve observation or reserved-class train seats where available.