Devon Falls

Devon Falls is a striking, majestic waterfall located in the Dimbula region of the central highlands, just a short drive from its famous neighbor, St. Clair's Falls. Named after a pioneer English coffee planter named Devon, whose vast plantation once covered the surrounding hillsides, it is widely regarded as one of the most elegant and beautifully positioned waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Dropping an impressive 97 meters (318 feet), it has earned the poetic nickname "Veil of the Valley" due to its delicate, cascading appearance as it cuts through the emerald landscape.

• The Cascade: The waterfall is formed by a tributary of the Kotmale Oya, which is a major branch of Sri Lanka's longest river, the Mahaweli. Unlike the wide, block-style curtain of St. Clair's Falls, Devon Falls features a narrow, graceful, multi-tiered plunge that drops cleanly over a steep, jagged rock precipice before crashing into the deep, boulder-strewn ravine far below.

• The Viewing Experience: Devon Falls is exceptionally accessible and requires no strenuous trekking to appreciate. The absolute best vantage point is from the dedicated viewing platform located right alongside the main A7 (Hatton-Nuwara Eliya) highway. Additionally, the famous Mlesna Tea Castle is situated directly across the gorge from the waterfall, offering an iconic, panoramic view where you can marvel at the cascade while enjoying a freshly brewed cup of premium Ceylon tea.

• Navigation and Tips: Because Devon Falls and St. Clair's Falls are located just a few kilometers apart on the same highway stretch, they are almost always combined into a single, highly photogenic pit-stop. While the official roadside viewpoints offer the most sweeping vistas, adventurous visitors can sometimes find narrow, winding pathways through the nearby tea estates to get a closer, lower-angle perspective of the drop. Keep your camera ready, as the surrounding valleys are incredibly picturesque.