Scenic Journeys

Walk the Nine Arches Bridge & Ella Trails

The Nine Arches Bridge, also known as the Bridge in the Sky, is a magnificent 1921 stone railway viaduct nestled between Ella and Demodara stations. Standing 24 metres tall without a single piece of steel, the bridge arcs gracefully across a dense green valley of tea bushes and tropical forest as highland trains rumble overhead.

Nine Arches Bridge in Demodara Ella surrounded by green tea slopes

Location: Between Ella & Demodara Stations
Built: 1921, British colonial era
Engineering: Zero steel: built purely of stone blocks and cement
Height & Span: 24 metres high, 91 metres long

What makes the Nine Arches Bridge an engineering marvel?

Commissioned in 1921 during World War I, the British railway project faced an acute steel shortage because wartime shipments were redirected to Europe. Local Ceylonese builder P.K. Appuhami partnered with colonial engineers to redesign the entire 91-metre viaduct using solely solid granite blocks, bricks, and cement.

Over a century later, the bridge remains in active daily service on Sri Lanka's mainline railway, carrying hundreds of passenger and freight trains each week across the gorge without structural degradation.

How do you reach the bridge and where are the best photo spots?

The most pleasant route begins from Passara Road near Ella town, descending through a shaded pine forest and quiet tea trails for about 15 minutes. Alternatively, tuk-tuks can drop you at the road end, leaving just a 5-minute descent to the tracks.

For the best photography, head to the hillside cafés perched in the tea terraces above the northern curve. From here, you capture the entire sweeping arc of the nine stone pillars with the approaching blue or red train cutting through the canopy.

Hillside tea terrace viewpoints overlooking the eastern arc
The trackside clearing among blooming canna lilies
The curved stone tunnel entrance on the Demodara end
Down in the valley floor beneath the massive central arches

When does the train pass over Nine Arches Bridge?

Trains cross the bridge approximately four to five times per day between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The most reliable daylight crossings are the morning Colombo-Badulla express (around 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM) and the midday passenger train (around 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM).

Because highland trains frequently run 15 to 30 minutes behind schedule, relaxing with a fresh king coconut or Ceylon iced tea at a panoramic viewpoint café is the smartest way to wait.

Practical tips before you go

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before expected train crossing times to find a comfortable viewpoint.
Pair your bridge walk with a morning hike to Little Adam's Peak, just 10 minutes away by road.
Wear footwear with grip: the dirt trails through the woods can be slippery after afternoon showers.
Do not stand on the tracks when the warning whistle blows; always step back onto the gravel shoulders or tea terraces.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee to visit Nine Arches Bridge?

No, visiting the bridge is completely free of charge. You can walk across the bridge, explore the surrounding tea gardens, and photograph the trains without any ticket.

Can you walk across the tracks on the bridge?

Yes, visitors freely walk across the bridge when trains are not present. There are safe refuge alcoves built along both stone parapets where you can stand if a train approaches while on the span.