Belihuloya

Is Belihuloya worth visiting?

Quick answer: Yes, if you like waterfalls, cool streams and quiet green hills. Belihuloya is a small town at about 625 m on the main road from Colombo to Badulla, about 15 km past Balangoda. It makes a calm stop between Colombo and Haputale or Ella, about 52 km from Ella. Waterfalls like Pahanthudawa are close to town.

The provincial tourism site says the town is also known as Galagama, in the Imbulpe division of Balangoda, and that it takes its name from the old Belihuloya rest house. It calls Belihuloya the start of a short-cut to Horton Plains. Sabaragamuwa University is here too.

What is there to do in Belihuloya?

Pahanthudawa Falls. The provincial site says to walk about 1.5 km up the Ihala Galagama road from the rest house toward the mini hydro plant, then cross the stream. It calls the crossing challenging, so wear shoes with grip.

Surathali Falls. The site places it between the Halpe kilometre post 169 and the Marangahawela post 170 on the Colombo to Badulla road.

Silogama Community Tourism Village. Run under the provincial tourism ministry, it offers homestays with views of Nonpareil and the lower edge of World's End. Listed activities include bird watching, rock climbing, cycling, boat rides and fishing.

Duvili Falls and Kuragala. Duvili is reached by turning at the 16th mile post on the Balangoda to Kaltota road, then about 4 km through jungle. Kuragala is 2.25 km from the 14th mile post on the Balangoda to Uggal Kalthota road. The site warns of wild elephants and vipers at Duvili, and says not to bathe there.

How do you get to Belihuloya?

By bus. NTC fares from 6 July 2026 that help with Belihuloya:

Belihuloya is on the road between Balangoda and the hills, but the NTC list gives fares between end points only, not stops. Ask the conductor before you board. There is no railway station in Belihuloya.

Road note, 27 October 2026: a landslide on the Colombo to Badulla road at Ellepola, between Pelmadulla and Balangoda, may disrupt the drive from Colombo or Ratnapura. See the landslide section below, and do not rely on a bus timetable alone.

When is the best time to visit Belihuloya?

There is no WMO station in Belihuloya. These are 1991 to 2020 normals for the two nearest stations, one lower and one higher:

Ratnapura, on the lower side, is driest in January and February. Bandarawela, higher up, is driest in July and August. February is fairly light at both. October and November are wet at both, which is when waterfalls are fullest but paths are slippery.

Is Belihuloya affected by landslide warnings?

Sometimes, in heavy rain. The NBRO landslide bulletin valid from 10 pm on 21 October to 10 pm on 22 October 2026 (published by the Disaster Management Centre) put Imbulpe, the division that includes Belihuloya, and Balangoda at level 1 (watch). Warnings change daily, so check the latest landslide early warnings before you go, and avoid streams and waterfall paths after heavy rain.

Where does Belihuloya fit in a trip?

• Colombo to the hills by road: stop for a night on the way to Haputale or Ella.
• Hills and safari: the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home is about 60 km away. See our Udawalawe vs Yala guide.
• Gems and rainforest: Ratnapura is about an hour west.