Demodara Loop Sri Lanka
Witness an engineering marvel: the Demodara Loop, a spiral railway track where trains pass under themselves near Ella, Sri Lanka.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
See the loop in action!
Demodara Loop Sri Lanka
Best Time
See the loop in action!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Witness an engineering marvel: the Demodara Loop, a spiral railway track where trains pass under themselves near Ella, Sri Lanka.
"The Demodara Loop is a unique and memorable experience, offering stunning views and an engineering feat."
🎯 Check Train Schedules First
The loop is most impressive with a train! Check schedules before you go.
🚗 Rough Road? Tuk-Tuk it!
The road to the viewpoint is rough. Tuk-tuks or 4x4s from Demodara Station are recommended.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Demodara Spiral Loop
Demodara Railway Station
Witness an engineering marvel where the train track spirals, passing under itself through a tunnel.
Panoramic Viewpoint
Private property near Demodara Station
Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the loop and surrounding mountains, perfect for photography.
Nightmail Train
Demodara Loop
Experience the iconic Nightmail Train as it enters the fascinating Demodara loop and tunnel.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for the Loop
Viewpoint Access & Fees
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Check Train Schedules First
The loop is most impressive with a train! Check schedules before you go.
🚗 Rough Road? Tuk-Tuk it!
The road to the viewpoint is rough. Tuk-tuks or 4x4s from Demodara Station are recommended. +1
☕ Relax at the Viewpoint Cafe
Enjoy a king coconut or tea while waiting for the train and soaking in the views.
💰 Small Entrance Fee
The viewpoint is on private land; expect a small fee per person.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Check Train Schedules First
The loop is most impressive with a train! Check schedules before you go.
🚗 Rough Road? Tuk-Tuk it!
The road to the viewpoint is rough. Tuk-tuks or 4x4s from Demodara Station are recommended. +1
☕ Relax at the Viewpoint Cafe
Enjoy a king coconut or tea while waiting for the train and soaking in the views.
💰 Small Entrance Fee
The viewpoint is on private land; expect a small fee per person.
📸 Drone Views are Epic
Capture stunning aerial shots of the loop with a drone.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the Demodara Loop as a unique engineering marvel and a must-see near Ella. The panoramic views from the viewpoint are consistently praised, offering a stunning perspective of the spiral railway. While the journey to the viewpoint can involve rough roads, the experience of seeing a train navigate the loop is considered well worth the effort.
"A must-visit spot if you’re in Ella or Demodara! Only the last part of the road is a bit rough, but we took a tuk-tuk from Demodara Station (both ways cost 2500 LKR), which made the trip easy. The ride is about 20 minutes with no need for walking, as the tuk-tuk can go all the way up to the top.
At the viewpoint, there’s a small café where you can relax with a king coconut, tea, or some snacks while enjoying the stunning view of the famous Demodara Railway Loop. From here, you can see around 10 km of the train’s journey, with breathtaking scenery all around. Watching the train curve around the loop from above is truly worth the trip. A unique and memorable experience!"
Isuru Jayasundara
"Awesome view. You think go there to see the train. Please look before the train time table."
Lahiru Sandaruwan
"I had the opportunity to view a train crossing Demodara loop. Tuk tuk may charge Rs.2500+ to climb to the top. Road is narrow & not well maintained. Viewpoint is located in a private property, owner charge a fee of Rs.50 per head. You can enjoy tea from the owners tea shop for a reasonable price."
Suneth Fernando
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Demodara Loop is located near Ella. You can take a tuk-tuk or a 4x4 vehicle from Demodara Railway Station. The road can be rough, so a vehicle with good ground clearance is advised. Some travelers mention tuk-tuk rides costing around 2500 LKR for a round trip. +1
Yes, the road leading to the viewpoint is described as narrow and not well-maintained. It's recommended to use a tuk-tuk or a 4x4 vehicle rather than a low-ground clearance car. +1
While possible, walking might be challenging due to the road conditions. Many visitors opt for a tuk-tuk or 4x4 for convenience, especially if they want to reach the viewpoint directly without much walking.
The most convenient way is to hire a tuk-tuk or a 4x4 from Demodara Railway Station. This avoids the difficult road conditions and takes you directly to the viewpoint. +1
Demodara Loop is a short distance from Ella, typically a 20-minute ride by tuk-tuk from Demodara Station.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The primary viewpoint is located on private property, and there is usually a small entrance fee, often around Rs. 50 per person, charged by the owner.
No, advance booking is not required for the Demodara Loop itself. However, it's crucial to check the train operating times to witness the loop in action.
The Demodara Loop is a railway track and is always accessible. However, to see the train navigate the loop, you need to align your visit with the train schedule.
Yes, there is a small cafe at the viewpoint where you can purchase refreshments like king coconuts, tea, and snacks while enjoying the view.
While the loop is always there, visiting at night might limit visibility for the panoramic views and train spotting. Daytime visits are generally recommended for the best experience.
📸 📸 Photography & Views
The best viewpoint is on private property near Demodara station, offering a nearly 360-degree view of the loop and surrounding landscapes. +1
From the viewpoint, you can see approximately 10 km of the train track, the spiral loop, the Punagala mountain range, Ella Rock, Little Adam's Peak, and Namunukuna mountain. +1
Absolutely! The unique spiral track and the stunning surrounding scenery make it a fantastic spot for photography, especially when a train is passing through. Drone photography is also popular here. 
Daytime offers the best light for photography. Ensure you check the train schedule to capture the loop with a train for the most dramatic shots.
Yes, drone videography is popular at Demodara Loop, offering incredible aerial perspectives of the engineering marvel.
🎫 🚂 Train Experience
The Demodara Loop is a unique spiral railway track where the train passes under itself, emerging from a tunnel directly beneath the Demodara railway station. It's an engineering marvel designed to manage steep elevation.
Various trains, including the popular Nightmail Train, pass through the Demodara Loop. It's part of the scenic railway line in Sri Lanka.
You can ride the Sri Lankan Railways and experience the loop firsthand. However, to see the loop from above, visiting the viewpoint is recommended.
Yes, the design of the Demodara Loop allows the train track to pass directly over itself via a tunnel beneath the station.
The tunnel that runs beneath the Demodara railway station as part of the loop is approximately 300 meters long.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
To make the visit comfortable, consider hiring a tuk-tuk or 4x4 from Demodara Station to reach the viewpoint directly, avoiding any strenuous walks on rough terrain.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1To capture the best shots, aim to visit during daylight hours and, most importantly, time your visit with the train schedule. Seeing a train on the loop is the ultimate photographic prize. Drone photography is highly recommended for capturing the full scale and ingenuity of the loop from above.
🚂 Train Buffs & Engineering Admirers
While riding the train through the loop is an option, visiting the dedicated viewpoint offers a superior perspective to truly grasp the scale and complexity of the engineering. Consider hiring a local guide or driver who can explain the history and significance of this remarkable structure.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Engineering Marvel of the Demodara Loop
+1Constructed to maintain a manageable gradient for the Ceylon Government Railway, the loop is approximately 900 meters (3,000 ft) long. The tunnel itself is about 300 meters in length. This intricate construction ensures that trains can navigate the challenging terrain without compromising safety or efficiency. Travelers often express awe at the sheer cleverness of the design when they witness it.
Seeing the Nightmail Train enter the tunnel and disappear beneath the station is a particularly memorable experience for visitors. The loop is not just an engineering feat but also a picturesque element of the Sri Lankan railway journey, offering stunning views from dedicated viewpoints.
Experiencing the Demodara Loop: Viewpoints and Practicalities
Accessing the viewpoint can be a bit of an adventure. The road is described as narrow and not well-maintained, making it challenging for standard vehicles. Many visitors opt to hire a tuk-tuk or a 4x4 from Demodara Station, which can cost around 2500 LKR for a round trip. This ensures a smoother journey to the top.
Crucially, to truly experience the loop's magic, checking the train operating times is essential. Seeing a train navigate the spiral is the highlight for most visitors. Drone footage has also become popular, offering unique aerial perspectives of this engineering marvel.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit