25 February 2009

Laxapana Falls


Laxapana waterfall and its surrounding is a perfect location for hiking and camping.

To reach here, you have to travel along Avissawella - Nuwara Eliya Road (A7) and turn towards Norton Bridge after Ginigathhena (Sri Pada road via Nallathanni). After traveling about 8km from Norton Bridge towards Maskeliya you have to turn to your right to Seven Hill Farm. Then, you have to proceed further 3km on this road to reach this waterfall. Alternatively you may turn from Kalugala on A7 (About 5km after Kithulgala) and again turn to the right towards Maussakelle/Maskeliya before Norton Bridge. The waterfall is formed by Maskeliya Oya which is a tributary of River Kelani.

The fall is about 125m tall and it is a magnificent creation of Mother Nature. There is a huge flat rock formation on top of the fall and you can get to both the top and the bottom of the fall easily. One advice: You have to be very careful as the water levels in this area changes quite rapidly with even the slightest of rain. One of the most striking views is the Saptha Kanya Mountain Range from top of the waterfall. You can travel to Laxapana and camp near the falls and visit many places from there. If you are climbing Saptha kanya you need to come prepared and it will take a full day.

There are quite a few waterfalls in this surrounding area and I will bring details on those later.

You can view this photo in this wonderful Dutch Website - in their guest photo section.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

has Laxapana been affected by the hydro-power project?

Kirigalpoththa said...

@ Anonymous,

I guess you meant the effect on the water flow of the fall. I'm not an expert on this but this is how I look at it.

Laxapana is a complex of power plants (Old Laxapana/Wimalsurendra and New Laxapana). Wimalasurendra is in kehelgamu Oya and New Laxapana situated well above the falls towards Maskeliya (Fed from Canyon Pond).

In any hydro power project there will be certain % of water is diverged towards the turbines and the same water flow is reconnected at a lower level. So there should be some impact towards the flow of the waterfall but I think it has been minimized.

In addition Laxapana power house is fed from Kehelgamu Oya as well via tunnel from Norton Bridge Reservoir (Norton Pond). So it is not only Maskeli Oya which is feeding Old Laxapana.

Hope someone will correct me if I’m wrong :)

Thanks

mick said...

Beautiful waterfall and your photograph is great.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Hi Mick,
Thanks for dropping by and for your encouraging comments :)

Unknown said...

the sight of a waterfall always relaxes me. thanks for sharing this photo.

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

You posted just before us so we are Watery Wednesday neighbors. I would love to be in this spot in your photo right now! So beautiful!

floreta said...

great shot! have a nice day.

Regina said...

Fantastic!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Luna,
They always do :)
Thanks for your comments.

GreensboroDailyPhoto,
Glad we became neighbours thanks to Watery wednesday. I like the lake in your blog and it reminds me Bolgoda lake here in Sri Lanka.
Thanks for dropping by and for your comments.

Floreta,
Thanks for dropping by and for your comments.
Have a nice day!:)

Regina,
Thanks for your comments, I really appreciate it.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful photo & great capture! Very nice!

Have great week!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Tricia,
Thanks a lot for your comments!

Judy said...

What a wonderful waterfall! I imagine the sound would be great as well!

Tammie Lee said...

This place sounds wonderful and your photo shows its beauty~

Spirithelpers

Kirigalpoththa said...

Judy,
Thanks for dropping by and I'm very impressed with your blog:)

Tammie,
Thanks for your compliments and it is such a wonderful waterfall!