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Photo: MichaelJames2468, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Famous beautiful rock bridge east of the town center. 45 minutes walk from the town center (Passara road, same as Little Adam's Peak and Newburgh Estate), then take a left to walk down to the bridge via a paved road and concrete stairs. Alternatively, walk along the train tracks from Ella railway station (but be careful to listen for approaching trains). If unsure, ask the locals, but not tuk tuk drivers, as they will want to take you along an expensive, circuitous route that will take you to near the bridge at track level. Can be a bit crowded with tourists, come early to enjoy the fresh air. Check the time tables to be able to see a train pass while you are there (but there will be around 4 trains passing between 10AM and 1PM). The bridge and Little Adam's Peak can be combined nicely, from the bridge it's another 5-km walk to the peak.
The Nine Arch Bridge also called the Bridge in the Sky, is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka and one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
A bit further down Passara Road (after Little Adam's Peak path), and 30 minutes from the town center. Quick visit of the tea factory, including green tea tasting at the end.
A relatively easy hike to the east of the town center. Walk along the main road for 20 minutes to reach the path, cutting across tea plantations before the final climb up. Great views on Ella Rock and Rawana Falls. You can see the Newburgh Tea Estate on the other side (north). Busy during high season. There is a zip line near the bottom of the trail, available for a fee, though it won't save you time.
A more strenuous exercise than Little Adam's Peak. About 2 hours (each way) along the railway track (south of Ella) and through the tea plantations, for stunning views across the countryside. The first 1.5 km is along the railway track so keep an ear out for oncoming trains although they travel slowly. The locals who live near the bottom of Ella Rock have come up with the following idea: they obliterate existing tracks up the hill and create new ones every now and then. Tourists following guidebooks get completely lost, and suddenly, a local appears offering to guide them. Use an app that is based on Openstreetmap (Osmand, maps.me, komoot …) and follow the trails marked as Footpath to Ella Rock (or Footpath to Ella Rock (shortcut) for a shorter, but steeper track) and try to avoid walking to closely to the villagers' homes in order not to disturb them.
Visit one of the few organic tea growers in Sri Lanka. You will get a short tour of the tea plantation, being introduced to several spices and fruits that grow there. After that, learn how the different types of tea are made and taste them all.
About 5 km away on the road south through Ella Gap. They're quite spectacular, especially during or after rainfall. Take your swimming costume for a refreshing dip, but beware of the touts selling tourist junk. You can catch frequent buses for about Rs 50, or better still walk (but catch a bus back up the hill). About half-way down the road you can stop off for a look at the small temple and a cave above it where, according to local legend, Sita was kept as a prisoner before being rescued by Rama. You are also quite likely to meet families of langur monkeys by the roadside.