Dunhinda Falls

Dunhinda Falls, 5km north of Badulla town, drops 64 metres into a pool surrounded by dense jungle, and at high flow its width and the volume of mist it generates make it one of the most impressive waterfalls in Sri Lanka. The name 'Dunhinda' means 'smoky water' in Sinhalese, a reference to the perpetual mist cloud the falls generate even in dry months. The trail from the car park follows the Uma Oya river upstream for 1.5km through lush riparian forest, crossing small footbridges and passing a series of smaller rapids before the main falls appear. Visitors should exercise caution on the wet path and stay behind safety barriers at the viewpoint. A refreshment area at the trailhead sells coconut water and local snacks. The falls are best from May to November when the Uma Oya is running strongly.