Places to hike in Trinidad: Maracas Waterfall
If you're a beginner hiker and you want a short, easy hike...Maracas Waterfall is the hike for you.
It's probably the shortest hike I've been on, taking just about 30 minutes to reach the waterfall from the picnic area where people usually park. From there it's under a mile to the waterfall.
But I usually begin from the top of Waterfall Road, off Maracas Royal Road, for an extra push. This adds about an extra mile each way.
Maracas waterfall is a sight to behold in the rainy season, when water cascades off the rocks towering 300 feet above. It is Trinidad's highest waterfall. But in the dry season it is quite underwhelming. And there is no pool below to bathe in, just rocks.
But there is a place to bathe along the way. People usually hike to the waterfall, see what there is to see, and then head back down to another short trail, off the main trail, where there is a wide pool.
There is another smaller pool within this area that fits just one person so it's like your own personal jacuzzi.
The hike is simple and easy, there are some steep parts along the rocky trail but nothing exhausting.
If you're walking from the start of Waterfall Road, there is one hill to climb up that can be challenging.
Spiritual Baptists go there to pray so you will see candles and other religious items along the way.
One thing I must say is I am disappointed in the state of the trail, the picnic area and the pool area.
The first time I went to Maracas waterfall, I fell in love with the hike. It's easy enough for kids to do and very scenic and well-maintained.
There was a huge "Welcome to Maracas Waterfall" sign at the entrance, the picnic area was clean, the trail was marked out with signs telling you the different types of plants and trees that grow in the area.
Today I was saddened at how run down it has become.
The picnic area is disgraceful, the tables and benches covered in moss and dirt.
One of the welcome signs was collapsed and definitely didn't look very welcoming. The other was covered in dirt.
The informative signs were mostly gone. The few left standing were either covered in grime or grown over.
And the rubbish! It is appalling.
Humans, please, take your trash out of the fucking forest with you when you leave. Stop ruining it for other people!
Among the trash we saw along the trail were plastic bottles, bags, snack packs, miscellaneous items of clothing and a wig. Yes a fucking wig! How do you go to a hike and leave your WHOLE wig behind? You came out of the forest bald? Steups.
I really hope the government, Ministry of Tourism or whoever is responsible for upkeeping places like these do something about the run down condition of what is really such a great family area.
And I really hope all you nasty humans who keep littering the forest simply not go hiking anymore. Y'all are nasty. And you don't deserve nature.
That is all.
Length: 6.2 km total (3.86 miles) from Waterfall road to Maracas Waterfall, back down to the pool area and back out to the end of the road.
Terrain: Paved road leading to rocky, dirt trail.
Time: About 45 minutes minutes one way, (including Waterfall Road).
Points to note: You can park at the start of the trail in the picnic area. But the road to get to the picnic area is rough. No worries if you have an offroad vehicle or 4x4. It's doable in a car but be cautious.
You can also pay residents in the area to park in their yards and have them keep an eye on your vehicle if you choose.
Take your non-biodegradable shit back out with you!
Got any ideas of scenic places to walk or hike to? Comment any suggestions down below!
It's probably the shortest hike I've been on, taking just about 30 minutes to reach the waterfall from the picnic area where people usually park. From there it's under a mile to the waterfall.
But I usually begin from the top of Waterfall Road, off Maracas Royal Road, for an extra push. This adds about an extra mile each way.
But there is a place to bathe along the way. People usually hike to the waterfall, see what there is to see, and then head back down to another short trail, off the main trail, where there is a wide pool.
There is another smaller pool within this area that fits just one person so it's like your own personal jacuzzi.
The hike is simple and easy, there are some steep parts along the rocky trail but nothing exhausting.
If you're walking from the start of Waterfall Road, there is one hill to climb up that can be challenging.
Spiritual Baptists go there to pray so you will see candles and other religious items along the way.
One thing I must say is I am disappointed in the state of the trail, the picnic area and the pool area.
The first time I went to Maracas waterfall, I fell in love with the hike. It's easy enough for kids to do and very scenic and well-maintained.
There was a huge "Welcome to Maracas Waterfall" sign at the entrance, the picnic area was clean, the trail was marked out with signs telling you the different types of plants and trees that grow in the area.
Today I was saddened at how run down it has become.
The picnic area is disgraceful, the tables and benches covered in moss and dirt.
One of the welcome signs was collapsed and definitely didn't look very welcoming. The other was covered in dirt.
The informative signs were mostly gone. The few left standing were either covered in grime or grown over.
And the rubbish! It is appalling.
Humans, please, take your trash out of the fucking forest with you when you leave. Stop ruining it for other people!
Among the trash we saw along the trail were plastic bottles, bags, snack packs, miscellaneous items of clothing and a wig. Yes a fucking wig! How do you go to a hike and leave your WHOLE wig behind? You came out of the forest bald? Steups.
I really hope the government, Ministry of Tourism or whoever is responsible for upkeeping places like these do something about the run down condition of what is really such a great family area.
And I really hope all you nasty humans who keep littering the forest simply not go hiking anymore. Y'all are nasty. And you don't deserve nature.
That is all.
Length: 6.2 km total (3.86 miles) from Waterfall road to Maracas Waterfall, back down to the pool area and back out to the end of the road.
Terrain: Paved road leading to rocky, dirt trail.
Time: About 45 minutes minutes one way, (including Waterfall Road).
Points to note: You can park at the start of the trail in the picnic area. But the road to get to the picnic area is rough. No worries if you have an offroad vehicle or 4x4. It's doable in a car but be cautious.
You can also pay residents in the area to park in their yards and have them keep an eye on your vehicle if you choose.
Take your non-biodegradable shit back out with you!
Got any ideas of scenic places to walk or hike to? Comment any suggestions down below!
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