Length12.7 kmElevation gain501 mRoute typePoint to pointExperience this 12.7-km point-to-point trail near Ella Rock house, Badulla. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 13 min to complete. This trail is great for backpacking, hiking, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.This stage begins at a point easily visible from the Demodara train station, unique with its spiral shape and a tunnel that runs beneath the railway station. The first part runs along the fairly wide Demodera-Spring Valley Road. Heading northeast, it wraps around the small hill where Nine Skies Bungalow is located - a delightful old planter’s house, restored and operated as a small boutique hotel by the Teardrop Collection. Next up is a crossing of the Badulla bridge, followed by a sharp left turn up a gradually-ascending, concrete trail that twists and turns up to tea fields, in a decidedly northern direction. The track arrives at the office and tea shed of the Demodara Tea Estate of the Oetumbe Division. From the office, there is a sharp right turn past a few houses and then back onto a tea trail that gently descends to a small bridge crossing. Over a creek and up to a large, flat playground it continues on. Here, it gets a little tricky because there are several paths leading up from the playground. The track on the right climbs straight and begins the push up the hill ahead. The next bit is a gradual and very pleasant ascent to the trail that circumvents the top of the hill. The flat playground rises gently to the highest point along the wide and clear tea trail, wrapping around the hill as it goes. At the highest point of the stage there are fabulous views back towards Demodara and Ella. This is definitely the place to stop for those snacks and a refreshing drink. The trail for nearly the rest of the stage is clear and the views on the gradual descent towards Hali-Ela, are idyllic. This is a very rarely visited part of the tea country, yet adorable. It is fairly straight and all downhill for a bit, then there is a junction beside a gigantic purple Bougainvillea. The second option, leading straight down a leafy path, is the one to take here. There is plenty of well-deserved shade, as the trail runs through a patch of forest with enormous trees. Next up is a large tea-weighing station and the trail turns back on itself, while descending further. A short distance later is the village of tea workers that serve the Rosette Estate. The stage is coming close to the end. As it exits the village, the narrow tarmac road heads towards the Unugalle Estate. There is a shortcut trail on the lefthand side that can save some distance by connecting to the same road below, but those more comfortable on the road can continue straight. The path arrives at the Uva Planters’ Club, a truly historic landmark of the Uva region. Known at its inception as the Uva Gymkhana Club, it was founded in 1880 before th