Many of the Hiking trips undertaken in
Trinidad lead to various waterfalls, below are a few of those waterfalls. To find the
locations referred to on this page, see the Trinidad Map
The Maracas Waterfall is situated in the upper part of the Maracas valley. It is a
little over 91.5m. in height and is situated in cool, beautiful surroundings. It is
possible to reach within 2.4km. of the fall by motorcar (the distance from Port of Spain
being about 20.8 km.). It is then necessary to ride or walk the remaining 2.4 km.
following a good bridle track. At the Waterfall Road there is a car park where security
and tours are provided by the participants of the National Service program under the
Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources.
Rincon waterfall in the Rincon valley on the outskirts
of Las Cuevas on the north coast of Trinidad is a 250-foot vertical drop. The hike begins
in the valley amidst small farms, fording several crystal clear streams and then winds
uphill, culminating with a steep descent to the base of the waterfall.
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 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.
There are two routes that are generally used to reach to this waterfall.
A 120 minute walk through forest from the north coast village of Blanchisseuse will take you to Paria Beach. The
Paria River, which runs from the mountains of the Northern Range to the sparkling
Caribbean Sea, is a favourite with hikers because of its lovely waterfall.
Past the Arima-Blanchisseuse Road at the 12 1/2 mile-post, 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. A (2) minute walk leads to a
wooden bridge over the Paria River. A five (5) minute walk up the right bank of the river
brings one to the spectacular waterfall.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blue Basin FallsThe name is given to a picturesque waterfall and pool in the
Diego Martin River. The pool is surrounded by luxuriant tropical vegetation and is
situated to the north of Diego Martin village. It is about nine (9) miles from
Port-of-Spain, and can best be reached by nine (9) miles drive, 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.
Edith
FallsThe entrance to the trail to this waterfall 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 some rock climbing. 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.Along this walk you may occasionally see Red Howler Monkeys
and in the evenings, Orange-winged Parrots can be seen coming to roost.
Some Other Waterfalls
in Trinidad
Madamas Waterfall: falls into Brasso River situated in the North East
of Trinidad.
Lalaja Waterfall: North East Coast of Trinidad.
Camelita Falls: Central Trinidad.
Aripo Waterfall: Wallerfield Road, North east Trinidad
All photographs (unless otherwise stated) are the property of Brian Ramsey. None
of the photographs may be reproduced without the express written consent of Outdoor Business Group Limited and Brian Ramsey.