Places to Hike in Trinidad: Turure Water Steps
Of all the hikes I've been on, Turure Water Steps is right up there among my top three.
I've yet to discover a hike that leads to a waterfall and pool more beautiful and clear than the Rio Seco waterfall.
So Turure is in a solid second place, followed by Mermaid Pool rounding out the top three best hikes I've done.
Of course, there are plenty more to discover so that listing is subject to change at any time.
But Turure Water Steps is just gorgeous. Words can't describe it and photos don't do it justice.
This hike will take you deep into the Cumaca forest, through which the Turure river flows.
To get to the start of the hike, you turn into Cumaca Road in Valencia and drive all the way in until you see a small bridge. Park in the clearing near the bridge as the hike begins at this point.
The Water Steps gets its name from the gigantic limestone rock formations that create "steps" along the course of the river.
There are four "steps" over which the river cascades into pools below. In the rainy season, when the flow is heavy, the water flows over the entire width of the steps giving a curtain-like effect.
A couple of the pools are very deep. One is said to be 12 feet deep but I cannot confirm that.
All I know is I'm 5 ft 7, and I lowered myself into it while gripping onto a rock for support and I could not feel the bottom even after I completely submerged myself. I felt like I was lowering myself into an abyss. Brave hikers usually stand at the top of the step and jump into it.
I'm not a brave hiker. I'm a hiker who never learned how to swim. So the only pool I will be jumping into is one where my feet can feel the bottom. Okurrrt!
It will take about 45 minutes of hiking to get to the Water Steps.
Another 25 minutes or so further will take you to another huge limestone formation but there's no pool at the bottom of this one so many hikers stop after the first four.
To get to the Water Steps can be a bit challenging even though this hike is rated as a moderate level three hike.
While there is a trail, much of the hike involves walking through the actual river, which is littered with huge rocks and boulders.
As you can imagine, wet rocks are slippery. Mossy rocks, even more so.
Rivers, even ones as crystal clear as Turure, have hidden surprises. One minute you're walking on firm sand and the next step your whole foot is swallowed up by mud.
So the sections that involved walking through the river went much slower than walking along the trail.
The trail itself isn't difficult, but contains some steep sections.
One section is a hill where the soil is like clay. So once wet, and it's always wet, going up it is a slippery affair. It's the toughest part of the hike.
Other sections of the trail involve climbing over roots or bending under fallen trees.
Once you reach the first step, the only way to get to the others is to climb up. Naturally, these short sections are steep and a little bit on the hazardous side. One wrong step and you can fall to the rocks below.
But once you go slowly, take your time, anchor yourself by holding on to trees and roots, you will be fine.
And, trust me, the pools are worth it. Each one is more beautiful than the last. There's a spot like a jacuzzi where you can just sit and let the water massage you.
The hike is just about a mile each way, and doable for children.We were pretty excited to see a deer this time!
Turure Water Steps is one of the few hikes I don't mind returning to over and over. Some hikes get boring after a couple visits, but this one will never get old.
Length: 3.25 km total (2.02 miles) return trip.
Terrain: Wet, water hike. Extremely rocky. Muddy/Slippery dirt trail.
Time: About 45 minutes minutes one way without rest breaks.
Points to note:There is a quarry located on Cumaca Road. Heavy quarry trucks have pretty much destroyed the road leaving large potholes and gaps. Drive slowly and carefully.
Don't forget to carry your trash back out with you. Leave the place as gorgeous as it is for other hikers to enjoy.
"Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time."
Got any ideas of scenic places to walk or hike to? Comment any suggestions down below!
I've yet to discover a hike that leads to a waterfall and pool more beautiful and clear than the Rio Seco waterfall.
So Turure is in a solid second place, followed by Mermaid Pool rounding out the top three best hikes I've done.
Of course, there are plenty more to discover so that listing is subject to change at any time.
But Turure Water Steps is just gorgeous. Words can't describe it and photos don't do it justice.
This hike will take you deep into the Cumaca forest, through which the Turure river flows.
To get to the start of the hike, you turn into Cumaca Road in Valencia and drive all the way in until you see a small bridge. Park in the clearing near the bridge as the hike begins at this point.
The Water Steps gets its name from the gigantic limestone rock formations that create "steps" along the course of the river.
There are four "steps" over which the river cascades into pools below. In the rainy season, when the flow is heavy, the water flows over the entire width of the steps giving a curtain-like effect.
A couple of the pools are very deep. One is said to be 12 feet deep but I cannot confirm that.
All I know is I'm 5 ft 7, and I lowered myself into it while gripping onto a rock for support and I could not feel the bottom even after I completely submerged myself. I felt like I was lowering myself into an abyss. Brave hikers usually stand at the top of the step and jump into it.
I'm not a brave hiker. I'm a hiker who never learned how to swim. So the only pool I will be jumping into is one where my feet can feel the bottom. Okurrrt!
It will take about 45 minutes of hiking to get to the Water Steps.
Another 25 minutes or so further will take you to another huge limestone formation but there's no pool at the bottom of this one so many hikers stop after the first four.
To get to the Water Steps can be a bit challenging even though this hike is rated as a moderate level three hike.
While there is a trail, much of the hike involves walking through the actual river, which is littered with huge rocks and boulders.
As you can imagine, wet rocks are slippery. Mossy rocks, even more so.
Rivers, even ones as crystal clear as Turure, have hidden surprises. One minute you're walking on firm sand and the next step your whole foot is swallowed up by mud.
So the sections that involved walking through the river went much slower than walking along the trail.
The trail itself isn't difficult, but contains some steep sections.
One section is a hill where the soil is like clay. So once wet, and it's always wet, going up it is a slippery affair. It's the toughest part of the hike.
Other sections of the trail involve climbing over roots or bending under fallen trees.
Once you reach the first step, the only way to get to the others is to climb up. Naturally, these short sections are steep and a little bit on the hazardous side. One wrong step and you can fall to the rocks below.
But once you go slowly, take your time, anchor yourself by holding on to trees and roots, you will be fine.
And, trust me, the pools are worth it. Each one is more beautiful than the last. There's a spot like a jacuzzi where you can just sit and let the water massage you.
The hike is just about a mile each way, and doable for children.We were pretty excited to see a deer this time!
Turure Water Steps is one of the few hikes I don't mind returning to over and over. Some hikes get boring after a couple visits, but this one will never get old.
Length: 3.25 km total (2.02 miles) return trip.
Terrain: Wet, water hike. Extremely rocky. Muddy/Slippery dirt trail.
Time: About 45 minutes minutes one way without rest breaks.
Points to note:There is a quarry located on Cumaca Road. Heavy quarry trucks have pretty much destroyed the road leaving large potholes and gaps. Drive slowly and carefully.
Don't forget to carry your trash back out with you. Leave the place as gorgeous as it is for other hikers to enjoy.
"Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time."
Got any ideas of scenic places to walk or hike to? Comment any suggestions down below!
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