The route to Paria Beach from Blanchisseusse is approximately 5 and a half miles and begins from the Spring Bridge. This route is mainly a coastal hike that begins on a gravel road and then continues along a forest trail. The hike is has a series of uphill and downhill portions interspersed with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. During the early part of the hike you will pass two small beaches known as Ti Delma and Laspor.

Paria Bay has a wide white sand beach that is the nesting site for leatherback turtles. A short trail from the beach of about 15 minutes duration leads to Paria waterfall where there is a deep clear pool below the falls surrounded by heliconia, fringed lilies, and philodendron.

The route to Paria Waterfall from Brasso Seco is an 8 mile forest walk. Along the Arima-Blanchisseuse Road at the 12 1/2 mile-post,and then eastwards for about four (4) miles (6.4 km), lies Brasso Seco. The Paria-Morne Bleu Road and the Sansi Trace are located along this route. A (60 degree) trail at the 4 3/4 mile-post signals the entrance to the forest. The trail is good and clear with no turnings off, and it winds towards the north. The route takes one past the Jordan River and over a hill. The beach is an hour away after this hill.

The most popular starting point for this hike is along the Blanchisseuse-Arima Road. Approximately 5 miles from Blanchisseuse is an old agricultural road on the eastern side of the Blanchisseuse-Arima Road, bordered by 6 pomerac trees and a chain-link fence. On entering the road you can park your vehicle at the first house for a small fee. The road continues to the Marianne River and at the river you turn north (left) and follow the river down stream. There is a well beaten path that follows the river, at times crossing the river. On the last leg of the hike the path rises up a hill. The waterfall is actually on a tributary of the Marianne River that flows in a westerly direction and joins the main river shortly after the waterfall. The last leg of the hike which goes up the hill is just before the joining of the two rivers and is on the east bank of the river.

The direct hike to the waterfall is approximately 30 minutes. Along the hike you can usually see kingfishers, trogons, honeycreepers and other bird life. At the base of the waterfall is a small but deep pool that allows for an invigorating swim.

A visit to this waterfall can be combined with swimming at the Three Pools , which is further downstream on the Marianne River.

Mamoral Waterfalls

Mamoral Road lies off the Blanchisseuse-Arima Road between the village of Blanchisseuse and the village of Morne La Croix. A short distance from the Mamoral Road is Johnson Waterfall. This is an 80 foot tall waterfall that plunges into a deep pool. Another waterfall that is a short distance from the road (quarter of a mile) is Three Spout. Here the water has carved three separate channels and the three columns of water fall in a row across.

Jewel of Brasso Waterfall

Along the Blanchisseuse-Arima Road between the village of Morne La Croix and the Brasso Seco junction, there is a road called the E1 Brasso Road. This road leads to a waterfall that has been described by Heather-Dawn Herrera, in her book Eco-Locations of Trinidad and Tobago, as "the most picturesque single-drop waterfall in the area, a virtual powerhouse". This is a seventy foot waterfall that thunders into a small pool at its base.

Brasso Seco Waterfalls

The Brasso Seco area has over eleven waterfalls. The Brasso Seco section of our Other Places of Interest Page, provides directions for getting to Brasso Seco.

Sobo Falls

Photo courtesy of Hikers World

Sobo Falls are located in Brasso Seco and are one of eleven waterfalls in the area. A moderately easy walk from the village reveals this beautiful 65 foot waterfall that falls as a single flow for approximately 25 feet and then bouncing off the rocks becomes a spray waterfall and finally on its last leg spreads out to become a shower.

Brasso Seco Twin Falls

Located in Brasso Seco, just 10 minutes walk from the Marianne Main Road is the the Twin Falls. The water divides at the top into two streams with one part falling straight down while the other cascades in stages over the rock into a bathing pool below. The area around the pool is suitable for lounging.

Tapana_Falls

Tapana Falls are accessed by going along the Madamas Road in Brasso Seco and then walking up the Tapana River for approximately 1.6 kilometers. The walk involves going through a series of mini-gorges so it is advisable to have someone who knows the area and weather to avoid being trapped in a gorge during a flash flood. The Tapana Falls are actually a series of four (4) waterfalls. The first waterfall has a shallow pool at its base. The second waterfall is approximately five minutes walk upstream from the first, while the third and fourth waterfalls are a further one minute each.

Double River Falls

The Madamas Road in Brasso Seco is used to get to the Double River Falls. The hike to the waterfall is mainly along flat terrain with a short uphill portion. As you get closer to the waterfall there is a downhill descent and you begin to hear and then see parts of the waterfall through the trees. The Double River Falls are approximately 60 feet (20 meters) falling into a wide pool that is suitable for swimming.

To learn more about the waterfalls in Brasso Seco or arrange a tour, visit the Brasso Seco Paria Eco Tourism Web Site or visit our Tour Guides Page.

Lalaja Waterfall

To get to this waterfall you drive along the Arima-Blanchisseuse Road until you see Lalaja Road, which is approximately 9.2 kilometers from the Eastern Main Road. For those coming from Arima it would be on the right. You then drive into Lalaja road for approximately 2 and a half miles. Drivers should proceed cautiously along Lalaja Road as it has many "potholes" but is driveable.  The hike then begins by going along Lalaja Road and continues when the road turns into a trail. The hike to the waterfall is mostly a gradual downhill descent crossing two streams, with only a sharp descent as you approach the Guanapo River. On reaching the Guanapo River you walk upstream until you encounter the waterfall. The Lalaja Waterfall is a tall narrow waterfall that tumbles into a small pool. Although the pool is small it is possible to take a swim. As with most Northern Range pools, the water is cold.

The hike to this waterfall can take between 2 and a half to three hours and it is best to go with someone who has done this hike several times as it is very easy to take a wrong turn.

Sombasson Falls

Going to Sombasson Falls uses the same route as Lalaja Waterfall as these falls lie above Lalaja Waterfall. The trek onwards to Sombasson takes you through virgin forest and this leg is of greater difficulty. It is a challenging hike requiring fitness and this leg can take between 40 to 60 minutes. Sombasson Falls however has a much larger pool than Lalaja Waterfall. These falls drop 140 feet in three stages. Along the way the chirps of birds are constantly heard while the big blue Emperor butterflies flit along the trail ahead of you.

Rio Seco

The trail to the Rio Seco waterfall begins on the Toco Main Road shortly after the bridge that spans the Rio Seco river near Sally Bay. The start of the hike is sign posted on the main road. It is possible to begin the hike at the main road or to drive approximately 2 kilometers along a country road and begin the hike further inland.

This trail winds through pathways lined by stately Mora trees along the North Eastern coast of the island to a waterfall and deep, emerald green pool. Upriver of the pool, on the banks of a tributary are the Rio Seco sulphur springs.

Matura Waterfall

There exists an enchanting cascade within the Matura forests, whose beauty is brought out by beautiful folds of limestone that serve as a backdrop for the clear water flowing over the edge. Known as both the Matura Waterfall and the Manuelot Falls, this waterfall is at the junction of the Manuelot River and the Matura River. The water that cascades over the edge has formed a wide pool at the base that is suitable for bathing. Getting to the falls is a challenging three hour hike that goes through Mora forest.

Rampanalgas Waterfall

Immediately before Arthur's Shop on the Toco Main Road in Rampanalgas is a street leading inland (next to the stand pipe). To find the starting point for this hike you drive along this street until the road goes down hill and at the bottom of the hill is an wooden house where you can park your vehicle for a small fee. The hike begins at the southern side of that house. There is a small stream that runs behind the house and after crossing the stream there is a well beaten track that leads uphill. At the top of the hill you turn left and walk for approximately 45 paces to a track on the right that leads downhill to the river. On reaching the river, a northern (right) turn leads you upriver to the waterfall.

This is a short hike of approximately twenty minutes, without steep hill climbs, to a two level waterfall. At the lower level the water forms a small deep pool that is suitable for swimming and bracing as you enter. To get to the upper level there is a narrow steep track at the side of the hill next to the waterfall pool. The upper level also has a bathing pool. On most weekends as you approach the waterfall you can hear the shouts of delight from the neighborhood children bathing in the pools.

Homard_Falls - Grande Riviere

Homard River Waterfall is on the outskirts of Grande Riviere, along the Paria Main Road leading to Matelot. Just after the 64 kilometre marker, which is on the seaside, there is a two storey house on the left on a little incline and the trail to the waterfall starts on the edge of that property.

The Homard River Waterfall is approximately 30 to 4o feet in height with a small pool at the base for bathing. There is also a small pool at the top of the falls that is ideal for soaking. The river is crystal clear with small crayfish swimming in the water and while you enjoy the coolness of the water the crayfish will sometimes nibble at your toes.

There is very limited parking along the road near the entrance to the trail, so if large group is planning to hike to this waterfall it is better to park at the car park on Hosang Street in Grande Riviere.

The hike to these falls provides a wonderful ingredient to the mix of a Grande Riviere visit. You can hike to the waterfall in the day then spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or in the Grande Riviere River and in the night watch the nesting of the leatherback turtles on the beach.

Matelot Waterfall

Approximately one hour's hike upstream of the Matelot River, along a stony river bed, can be found the Matelot Waterfall. This waterfall is more along the size of a cascade however the joy of the visit comes from the natural beauty of the surroundings. There is a large pool at the base of the waterfall that is ideal for swimming.

Turure

Within the forests of Cumaca lies a series of three beautiful spread type waterfalls, where curtains of water cascade down limestone faces. These waterfalls are immediately after each other on the Turure River. At the base of each waterfall is a pool that invites you to take a swim. The third waterfall has several pools as the limestone forms a firm base for the river as it flows downstream. Here the pools are of varying depth with some being very shallow. Towards the end of the dry season the flow of water over the cascades is greatly reduced, but there are still pools for swimming as in the photo below.

The hike to the waterfalls takes approximately 35 to 45 minutes, going through pristine tropical rain forest. As you move along the forest trail, the calls of the bell bird can be heard echoing among the trees. There are several river crossings and hiking in the water along this relatively easy hike and the few uphill portions are not difficult. Persons visiting these waterfalls should remain on the trail and not wander off, as this area has the poisonous mappipire balsain snake especially during the rainy season.   

To see other pictures of the trail to the Turure hike and waterfalls, visit the Photo Gallery and enter the search term "Turure". To get to the starting point for this hike, you proceed along the Eastern Main Road to Valencia. At the Valencia Junction you take the left fork onto Valencia Road (as if heading to Toco). Approximately 2 kilometers along the Valencia Road you turn left (north) onto Cumaca Road (immediately after the bridge and before the Save the Pawi sign). The Cumaca Road is a narrow single lane road that is mainly paved with some gravel sections. The road is bumpy in parts but passable. After 4.5 kilometers along the Cumaca Road there is a wood & metal vehicle bridge and the trail begins on the left just before the bridge.

The name Blue Basin is given to a picturesque waterfall and pool on the Diego Martin River. The pool is surrounded by luxuriant tropical vegetation and is situated at the northern end of the Diego Martin valley. It is about nine (9) miles from Port-of-Spain, and can best be reached by driving to an area close to the waterfall, followed by a (5) minute walk along a bridle path. Unfortunately the area leading to the waterfall has had crime problems so it is advisable to go to this area in a large group.

To get to Blue Basin waterfall you drive to almost to the end of the Diego Martin valley, using either St Lucien Road or the Diego Martin Main Road and using the North Post Road you go past the Diego Martin Museum. You then make a right turn on Blue Basin Extension or Blue Basin Road (Blue Basin Extension eventually joins onto Blue Basin Road) and drive almost to the end of the road. Near the waterfall the road goes up a steep incline and you can park at the base of the incline. At this point there are two bathing pools near the road on the right and you can follow the river upstream to the waterfall. Alternatively you can walk up the incline and there is a path on the right that leads to the waterfall.

The entrance to the trail to Edith Falls is on the southern side of the road leading to the Chagaramas golf course, immediately before the golf driving range and club house. The hike to the waterfall takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes and is very easy with only the last leg requiring about 2 minutes of clambering over some boulders. The base of the waterfall is in the actual river bed and to get close enough to see the waterfall you must approach near to the base, hence the reason for going over the boulders that are in the river bed.

This is a three level, 250 feet waterfall that is best viewed in the rainy season as in the dry season the water level is very diminished. When the water level is low the flow over the falls appears like wisps or fine strands of silvery hair.

The trail to the waterfall is fairly wide and well defined. The initial part of the trail goes through a former tonca bean and cocoa estate. Along this walk you may occasionally see Red Howler Monkeys in the bamboo and the trees plus in the evenings, Orange-winged Parrots can be seen coming to roost.

Some Other Waterfalls in Trinidad