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Mermaid Pools, Matura River

Photo by Emile Valere

The Mermaid Pools, also known as the Matura Basin, lie along the Matura River in north-east Trinidad. In this region the river meanders through lush pine forest creating numerous pools that are ideal for swimming or simply relaxing alongside. The hike to the pools is rated as easy and begins along the Toco Main Road in Matura. On entering the Matura area you drive past the Geriatric Nursing Home for quarter of a mile and then turn left into Thomas Trace, which is immediately before the Health Center. You then drive for a further quarter of a mile to the areas for parking the vehicle and the start of the trail. (Directions provided by Hikersworld). The hike to the pools is along a forest trail and is approximately two miles which can be covered in 30 minutes. From the start of the hike it is a very gradual descent down to the the river and then you hike along and in the river to the pools. While there are numerous pools in this river, there are three pools in close proximity that have developed the name, the Mermaid Pools. 

One interesting facet of this exploration is why are these pools called “the Mermaid Pools”? According to the Angelo Bissesarsingh Virtual Museum, in West Africa and parts of East Africa there is the legend of a half-fish half-human female water creature that is highly respected where she is feared and worshipped as the protector of the waters of the oceans, presenting a balance between dark, divine, mysterious and angelic existence. 

It is believed that the African slaves who came to Trinidad brought this legend with them and the creature’s name was Mami Wata. It is further believed that among the Matura villagers stories are told of Mami Wata coming to the shore of this pool every now and then to deceive men and capture them to be taken in the water kingdom. The captives are used to appease her sexual satisfaction and then left lifeless to be buried by the living or their bodies are never found. Over time the name Mami Wata became Mermaid as both names describe a female creature that is half human and half fish.

Blanchisseuse to Matelot

The 32 kilometer trail from Blanchisseuse to Matelot on Trinidad's north coast is considered a jewel. Along the hike one alternates from unspoiled rainforest to untouched beaches. Starting from Blanchisseuse at the Spring Bridge you encounter Paria Bay after two to three hours (depending on the hiker's level of fitness) by trekking along dirt road and forest trail. Our section on Beyond Blanchisseuse provides information on the beaches along the way. 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.

If you choose to continue the hike after Paria Bay, the trail rambles over a succession of small ridges, crossing several small streams, until you next encounter Gran Tacarib, which is a 1.2 kilometer crescent shaped beach. From Gran Tacarib the trail continues to the Madamas river and then Madamas Beach. Both Madamas Beach and Gran Tacarib are nesting sites for Leatherback turtles, during the nesting season of March to September. After Madamas it is a continuation of the up and down hiking and crossing small streams and then the Petite Riviere river. The trail continues through abandoned estate lands with cocoa, coffee, tonka bean, nutmeg and papaya (pawpaw) until you arrive at the Matelot River and the village of Matelot.

Marianne Three Pools

Photo by Ricardo La Borde

Beginning at the Spring Bridge in Blanchisseuse it is an easy hike to the Three Pools on the Marianne River. The trail starts on the right (eastern side) immediately before the bridge and is a short easy hike that mainly follows the course of the river. The trails runs through secondary forest and cultivated land. The Three Pools provide excellent swimming opportunities and there are spaces on the banks for relaxing between swimming. A visit to these pools can be combined with a visit to the Avocat Waterfall either beginning at the waterfall and following the river to the pools or first going to the pools and then continuing up river to the waterfall. If the combined trip is started at the pools, there is a short but sheer rock face that has to scaled at the last pool in order to continue up river.

Yara River

This 3.5 hour, level 4 hike has a scenic forest walk up the gentle inclines of the Yarra forest combined with a downstream river adventure of swimming through pools and gorges. This river is immediately after the village of La Fillette and at the entrance to Blanchisseuse.

Macajuel_Pond

The hike to Macajuel Pond is a real water adventure. Macajuel pond lies on the Madamas River and the journey begins in the village of Brasso Seco. The first leg of the hike is between 1.25 and two hours long depending upon where you park your vehicles and start the hike. This portion of the hike begins along a dirt agricultural trace running through the forest and scattered along this trace are farmer's fields growing mainly christophene (chocho) with small wooden buildings at intervals. The trace is undulating so there are gradual ups and downs and at intervals small streams cross the Trace. Eventually the Trace peters out and becomes a track through the forest ending on a tributary of the Madamas River. The hike now continues by walking in the river until it joins with the Madamas River.

On arrival at the Madamas River one can take a short break and then begin the climb up hill through the forest. The first part of the climb involves some root grabbing but quickly the climb becomes an uphill walk on a track through the forest.   After approximately one hour you begin the descent to the river. This descent can be a little tricky because the downward slope is steep but fortunately there are trees that you can use to brace yourself as you descend. It is at this point that the water adventure heightens.

Once on the Madamas River the rest of the journey is solely in the water. The river now flows through a series of gorges with sheer black rock walls and you swim with the current in the crystal clear cool water through these gorgeous gorges. At points it is possible to walk in the water as the river bottom rises and then you swim again. At times you clamber over logs or climb up short rock faces where the channel narrows and then jump into the pool below until eventually arriving at Macajuel Pool. Here the river widens and creates a deep clear pool in the river.

After enjoying Macajuel Pool it is approximately an hour's hike in a tributary of the Madamas River to return to the point where you started your journey to the gorges. This time the hike is against the flow of the water but the refreshing coolness of the forest and the water makes this part of the journey seem easy. After the sloshing through the river you retrace your steps through the forest along the agricultural trace.
 
The hike to Macajuel Pool should be attempted in the company of experienced tour guides or with a knowledgeable hiking outfit.

North Post to Macqueripe

The North Post Diego Martin to Macqueripe Chaguaramas hike offers the opportunity for ridge hiking through natural forest, secondary forest and abandoned agricultural land interspersed with views of the Caribbean Sea. To get to North Post, you drive to the end of the Diego Martin Main Road, going past the River Estate Museum and then proceed up the North Post Road to its end. The area has been called North Post because in the days of sailing ships there was a signaling station atop the hill at the end of the road. This station was used to send signals to Port of Spain about ships approaching Trinidad. At present there is a telecommunications installation at the site of the former signals station. The hike begins at this installation and there is space for limited vehicle parking along the roadway.

The initial portion of the hike provides a clear view of the Caribbean Sea, then goes through a pine forest, followed by semi-agricultural land. The start of the hike is just below the telecommunications installation and on the mornings of the Great Race (a power boat race between Trinidad and Tobago usually held in August) the area is used by many to get a view of the boats as they race along the north coast. For those who simply desire a short walk in cool natural surroundings with clean air, this first leg of the hike provides that opportunity with a full view of the Diego Martin Valley and a clear view of the Caribbean Sea. The total one-way distance covered on this hike is five miles (8 kilometers) which should take approximately 4 hours. The Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists Club Trail Guide rates this hike between moderate to strenuous.

Macqueripe to Chagaramas Golf Course

The starting point for this hike is at the southwestern side of the car park above Macqueripe Beach, with the trail leading uphill. The length of the trail is 2.5 kilometers and provides views of the Tucker Valley and the North Coast of Trinidad. Along the trail are leks used by the white bearded manakin to perform their courtship dances.

Huggins Trail

During the period 1781 to 1941 the La Cuesa valley (also called Tucker valley) in Chagaramas had several large agricultural estates growing coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, rubber, tonka beans, coconuts, citrus. The original settlers were planters from Grenada but by the 1870's the estates came to be owned by Edgar Tripp and William Tucker. Around 1873 or 1874, an estate house was built by William Tucker on a hill overlooking what is now the Tucker Valley Main Road. Father Anthony De Verteuil says that the house would have built of wood on wooden pillars 8 feet high and with a shingle roof. It had a large verandah with wide steps leading to the verandah. Being on a hill, it would have had a magnificent view at the time when it was built, overlooking cocoa and coffee fields and with a view of Edith Waterfall in the distance. In 1887 Tucker sold the entire estate to Sir William Ingram who in 1914 sold the estate to George F Huggins.

On the eastern edge of the area known as Samaan Park there is a trail that leads to the former estate house. The entrance to the trail has been sign posted and as you enter you realise that there are actually two trails. A wide firm trail leads uphill to the ruins of the estate house. The trip to the house is more like a brisk walk rather than a hike as the distance can be covered in approximately 5 minutes.  The area around the house is surprisingly cool given that the forest has reclaimed this area.

The lower trail winds around the base of the hill and at times skirts the edges of a dry river bed. This trail leads to former World War 2 ammunition bunkers that are reached after approximately 12 minutes. Leading away from the bunkers is an old road that is strewn with fallen leaves. It is therefore possible to make this into a circuit walk, using the trail to reach the bunkers and then the road to exit. The road leads to the CDA Estate Police Headquarters on Covigne Road, which is a short distance from Samaan Park. Those who enjoy mountain biking will find this circuit an enjoyable, albeit short ride.

During the late afternoon hours, if you are fortunate, you may see the Capuchin Monkeys on either the lower or upper trail as they come to feed among the hog plum trees. Even if you do not see them you may hear them, tittering among the tree tops sounding like puppies, or crashing from branch to branch.

Chaguaramas Nutmeg Grove

At present the Chaguaramas peninsula is a national park, but it was not always a park. 

In 1797, Frederick Mallet recorded that there were 18 cotton mills in Chaguaramas together with 10 sugar mills, 5 coffee mills and 5 rum distilleries. In 1812 it was recorded that there were 639 acres devoted to sugar cane, 500 acres growing cotton, 515 acres on which ground provisions were grown and more than 100,000 plantain trees. William Tucker arrived in Trinidad in 1854 and eventually he acquired the 5,500 acre La Cuesa estate and renamed it the Tucker Valley Estate. A survey done in 1941 revealed that in Chaguaramas there were 1,198 acres of tonca bean trees, 508 acres with fruit crops, 635 acres on which cocoa was grown, 446 acres with coconuts, 404 acres with limes, 126 under oranges, 80 acres of coffee, and 30 acres growing nutmeg.

There are no longer 30 acres of nutmeg in Tucker Valley but some of that nutmeg acreage has survived and now provides a pleasant destination for a short hike.

The hike to the Nutmeg Grove, also called the Nutmeg Vale, starts at Samaan Park, at the CDA Estate Police Headquarters on Covigne Road in Tucker Valley. Most of the hike is along a semi paved road, later it becomes a gravel path. This hike is a relatively short one taking the average person approximately 30 minutes to reach the Grove.  During the day you can hear the birds in the trees, and howler monkeys roaring in the forest, plus see butterflies flitting across the path, in areas where there are flowering plants hummingbirds zip from flower to flower.

When done during the early morning hours it is very cool but even during the later hours most of the trail is cool because it is shaded by the trees. Along the route there are World War 2 ammunition bunkers that you can visit. The Tucker Valley Nutmeg Grove is a pleasant place, there is a small stream with water tumbling off a rockface. If you are in luck nutmegs can be collected on the ground. 

Video contains directions 

Lumber_Lane_Trail

During World War II when the entire Chaguaramas penninsula was a U.S. Armed Forces base, over one million gallons of fuel was stored in underground tanks. The Lumber Lane Trail in Chaguaramas leads past one of these former fuel storage facilities. The entrance to the trail, which is well sign posted, is just off the Macqueripe Road (see Map) at its southern end.  The trail begins with a slight up hill walk and then continues as a ridge walk. Along the trail there are several control valves for the fuel storage facility. Although this area was a fuel depot during World War 2 it is now heavily forested and several of the trees have been labeled with both their local name and their scientific name. Part of the way along this hike, the trail divides with one section leading to the underground tanks. The other section of the trail leads to a small picnic area with concrete benches. At the picnic area there is a beautiful view of the Chaguaramas coastline, the Gulf of Paria and the Five Islands.

In late 2008, the Chaguaramas Development Authority and Nature Valley restored this approximately three-quarter mile trail.

Point Gourde

The Point Gourde penninsula is largely composed of limestone and the flora is mainly xerophytic as the area has low rainfall. As such the area has mainly deciduous woodland, merging into dry Tropical forest. Deciduous woodland is characterized by much more open forest, with a greater proportion of deciduous trees and fewer large trees. Mosses and epiphytes are not common owing to the greatly reduced rainfall. Prominent trees in this area include Lonchocarpus punctatus (Savonette), Bursera simaruba (Naked Indian), Machaerium robinifolium (Saltfish Wood) and Pithecellobium unguiscati. Also to be seen are several species of cactus and the century plant (Agave evadens).

To get to the starting point for the hike one travels along the Western Main Road in Chaguaramas and then turns into the road on the left after "Anchorage Bay" that leads to the Police Marine Division. Along that road there is a WASA installation and immediately after is an old road that leads uphill, which is the start of the hike. Overall this is an easy hike with two legs.

The road proceeds uphill and approximately 1 kilometer from the start there is a relatively wide trail leading downhill on the left, while the main trail continues uphill. This left turn is one leg of the hike. Proceeding down the left turn leads to an area that has more lush vegetation than the rest of the peninsula with a dry gully on the right. Eventually the trail comes to a fork with the right fork leading after a very short walk to a sewerage plant. The left fork continues the trail. Along this portion of the hike there are views of the sea and during the dry season the falling leaves give the feeling of autumn in northern climates. Eventually the trail descends to an area that is well suited to recreational rock fishing. A band of capuchin monkeys sometimes inhabits this area.

The second leg of the hike is to continue uphill after 1 kilometer from the start instead of turning onto the relatively wide trail leading downhill on the left. Along this leg various bird species can be seen that include Rufous-tailed Jacamars and Squirrel Cuckoos. The trail goes past an abandoned military bunker and eventually arrives at the top where there is a functional cell tower. Across from the cell tower there are concrete steps that lead to an old military radio mast. Next to the radio mast is an abandoned building and from within the building it is possible to see several of the offshore islands. There is a clear view of Carrera island and the buildings that comprise the prison complex.

Chacachacare_Lighthouse

Landing by boat at Perruquier Bay, the walk to the lighthouse takes you to the highest point on the island, 818 meters. Built in 1870, the lighthouse is still working and is identical to the lighthouse at Galera Point in Toco. The walk to the lighthouse is an uphill hike along a paved road. Depending upon your fitness level the walk will take between 45 minutes and 75 minutes. During the middle of the day, there is little shade along the road so you are exposed to the direct rays of the sun. From 1777 to 1810, cotton was was grown on Chacachacare and along the road you can see many wild cotton plants still producing cotton.

At the lighthouse you have wonderful views of the island, the Gulf of Paria and Venezuela's Paria Penninsula.  You can also see Patos Island, which lies further west, and was part of Trinidad and Tobago until 1940 when it was ceded to Venezuela in exchange for Soldado Rock.

Caurita_Stone

Most individuals are aware that the original inhabitants of Trinidad were Amerindian people who had inhabited this island long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Many of the reminders of these original settlers are in the place names throughout Trinidad or in recreations of items. There is very little that has survived in its original construction with one startling exception and that is the Caurita Stone with its ancient petroglyphs. Petroglyphs (also called rock engravings) are carvings on the face of rocks that are usually associated with prehistoric people. The Caurita Stone is approximately six feet by eight feet and on its face are stick figure drawings that are believed to have been created around c1000 to 1500. These etchings are thought to represent spirits or ancestors of the Arawakan people.

pic

The Caurita Stone is located in the hills of Caurita which lies between St Joseph and Caura in the Northern Range. Visiting this ancient artifact requires you to go the Maracas St Joseph Valley and journey to Acono Road and from there go on to to Caurita. The trip to the Stone involves hiking up parts of the Northern Range. You park on a dirt agricultural access road and then continue on foot along a dirt track. The trail winds through cocoa and coffee estates and then enters the forest with a few small stream crossings. As the rock carvings are up on a ridge there are some steep uphill portions to climb, lasting around 30 minutes and in all the hike to the stone takes approximately one hour.
 

Mount St Benedict Birdwatchers Loop

The area around Mount St Benedict has numerous trails, one of which is called the Birdwatchers Loop and takes approximately two and a half hours. The trail begins at a building called the Sanctuary which is uphill from the Top of the Mount parking lot. The initial portion of the trail is uphill and takes you through a Pine plantation. About 15 minutes after the Pine Plantation there is a fork in the trail and the right fork is the continuation of the Birdwatchers Loop. After the fork the trail descends and ends at the steps leading to the car park at St Benet Hall.

This trail is a good area for viewing raptors (hawks, falcons) as the updrafts in the area encourage their soaring. Other birds that are common to the area include cuckoos, doves, orioles and hummingbirds.

Lopinot

The Lopinot valley still retains much of the natural forest cover and there are several hiking trails through the valley. One trail leads to Colonado Cave which is named after a runaway slave who used the cave as a hiding place. The cave has interesting geological formations. There are nine different caves in the valley, with trails leading to each. The Lopinot Tour Office and Visitor Facility arranges tours through the area and is open from 10.30am to 3pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Tours are also available on request.

Arena Forest

The Arena Forest in East Trinidad has been declared a forest reserve since 1921. It is an evergreen seasonal forest with a variety of trees including Mahoe, Guatecare, Crappa, Olivier, Matchwood and Balata. It also contains Tirite which is used for handicraft. The Arena Forest is one of the areas that has several hiking trails that are well suited for an easy afternoon or early morning hike. The area consists of mainly gentle gradients and so is well suited to family outings or for individuals who do not hike regularly but want to experience a hike in a tropical rain forest.

As the Arena Forest is a forest reserve, the area is maintained by the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture which has created several well marked paths through the forest. These paths have been given some interesting names such as Deer Ride, Porcupine Ride, Monkey Ride, Parrot Ride and Manicou Ride. Many of these paths interconnect so that you can start on one trail and using other trails hike through the area and arrive back at our starting point. At the end of this section is a map of the Arena Reserve showing the trails through this Reserve. 

In walking through the Arena Forest you truly experience solitude as it is a mature forest with full grown trees on either sides of the paths. Although you have the solitude, it is not quiet but filled with the sounds of nature; the rustling of the leaves as the wind courses through the forest and the calls of innumerable birds. The Arena Forest is also a popular bird watching area and many international birders visit the area each year. In the forest you can see Yellow-rumped Caciques, Piratic Flycatchers, Squirrel Cuckoo, Plumbeous Kite, White-tailed and Violaceous Trogons, Lineated and Golden Olive Woodpeckers, Plain Ant Vireo and White-bellied Antbird, as well as other birds.

To get to the Arena Forest Reserve you turn south off the Churchill Roosevelt Highway onto Tumpuna Road and drive for 2.1 kilometers and turn right on the road that runs along the side of the warehouse complex. You then drive for 2.0 kilometers and turn left at the San Rafael Catholic Church onto the Cumuto Tumpuna Road. You proceed for approximately 3.8 kilometres until you come to the Arena Plantation Office of the Forestry Division.

Map provided by the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture

Guanapo Gorges

The Guanapo Gorges are an accessible series of gorges that provide an easy yet exciting journey. Exploring the gorges with their polished rock walls that are mirrored in the water, requires wading and swimming through crystal clear water.  The best time to visit these gorges is in the dry season as there can be flash flooding during the rainy season, trapping you in the gorge.

Several routes are used to access these gorges with the easiest route being via the Eastern Main Road and driving up the Heights of Guanapo Road. This route is rated as an easy level 3 hike with an average round trip time of 2.5 hours. The second route which is rated as a challenging level 6 hike is via the Arima-Blanchisseuse Road. This route which begins on the La Jala South Trace has an average round trip time of 5 hours.

The Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalist Club Trail Guide provides excellent descriptions of both routes.

North_Oropouche_River

This river flows through the Valencia region in the northeast of Trinidad. Hiking along this river exposes you to pleasant river gorge scenery and river bathing. There are two routes used for hiking along the upper reaches of the North Oropouche River. One route goes through the WASA compound and so requires obtaining a permit from WASA in advnce to pass through their compound. This route is considered an easy hike as it uses a paved road leading from the WASA compound down to the river. At the river you can then hike either upstream or downstream but bathing is only allowed below the WASA water intake.

The other route used begins along the Valencia – Matura Road. Approximately 1.2 kilometers after the popular river lime spot on the Valencia Road, the road turns sharply to the right and there is a gravel road on the left. You turn onto this gravel road and drive to the top of the hill (near the gravel quarry) where you can park. When the road is very dry you can drive further, going downhill and crossing a stream until the road ends. At this point the hiking begins. The hike is approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers) and is rated fair with a roundtrip time of 3 hours. The trail leads through secondary forest with a gradual uphill climb at the start and then a series of gentle ups and downs with some ridge walking. The last leg before the river is a steep downhill. At the river you can turn either right or left and there, as one person has described it, you will find "Pools beyond the imagination that invites any nature lover to dive in for a pleasure filled swim".

Forest_Point_Hike

The southern beach has beautiful golden sand with a variety of trees providing shade on the beach. The water at this beach is always clear but in August and September it is crystal clear with exceptional visibility. One point to be noted about this beach is that as you enter the water there is a drop of about two – three feet and there are small smooth rocks in the water. At the eastern end of the beach there is an area that is bounded by larger rocks that creates a natural bathing area without the drop and a sandy footing.

If you go to Toco and ask for Forest Point it may seem as if the locals do not know of this area and that is because the locals call the area La Fouray. There are no lifeguards or facilities on either of these beaches.

Shark River

Shark River located between Gran Riviere and Matelot is another popular river exploration hike. Our camping page provides additional information on Shark River.

L' Eau Michel

The L' Eau Michel (pronounced Lamoshell) hike is focused around visiting the L' Eau Michel mud volcano. This hike is approximately one hour's duration (one-way) along an agricultural dirt road through terrain composed of rolling hills going through sugar cane fields and teak forest. In the dry season any hiker on this trail should wear a wide brimmed hat and carry plenty of water (at least three bottles) because there is no shade. More details on this hike can be found on the Natural Attractions Page under the L' Eau Michel mud volcano.

Canari_Bay

This hike along the south-east coast begins in Guyaguyare at the Petrotrin Grounds. For the avid hiker the walk can probably be done in 45 minutes but the occasional weekend hiker will most likely take 2 hours to complete the trip to the bay. The hike begins with a short uphill segment and then continues along a virtually flat trail ending with a short downhill descent to the bay. The thick southern forests, with balata, silk cotton, wild chataigne, roseau, carat, and cocorite, provides a canopy that shades you from the direct rays of the sun while along the way the mating calls of male manakins can be heard.

Apart from the joys of being in a natural pristine environment, the other attraction of this hike is Canari Bay. The necessity to hike to this beach or hire a boat to get there means that this is a secluded beach far from the maddening crowd. With miles of inviting white sands and warm soothing calm water, if the hike did not melt all the stress of daily life, this beach will take the remnants away.

This hiking route is used by various hiking clubs so visit our Events Calendar to see the next planned hike to Canari Bay or go to our Tour Operators Page to find a tour guide who can provide a guided tour to this southern delight.

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