Alina Doodnath

In March, I visited the Rio Seco Waterfall for the first time. Located on Trinidad’s north-eastern coast, within the Matura National Park, this waterfall is a popular one due to its fairly easy hike rating (level three) and breathtaking beauty.

The Matura National Park is a protected tropical forest area of approximately 9000 hectares and was declared an Environmentally Sensitive Area in 2004.

A recent bout of rainy weather left the trail covered in an unbelievable amount of mud, so much so that one hiking member lost the sole of one of his sneakers.

Nevertheless, after a 30-minute hike along a well-marked trail, shaped into giant steps at some points by tree roots and crisscrossed by two rivers, the path descended into the pool and falls.

Needless to say, the waterfall is almost magically beautiful.

Ensconced in rock and towering ancient trees, the falls and pool seem like some sort of fairy bath, tinged an ethereal turquoise, while in the shallows, colourful fish dart among the rocks.

The pool itself is very deep, and only experienced swimmers or swimmers with life jackets should venture near the falls.

Island Hikers says the name Rio Seco is of Spanish origin and means ‘dry river’,  referring to areas higher upstream where the river tends to be dry.

Additionally, located at the mouth of one of its tributaries is a sulfur spring where yellow sulfur deposits ooze from the rocks.

Near the base of the falls is a rope which allows the brave to perform death-defying leaps into the pool.

One major concern was the amount of trash spotted at the beginning of the trail, as well as garbage at the falls. Hikers are continually reminded to take extra garbage bags to collect their trash as well as any other bits of garbage they spot along the way.

Matura National Park is also home to Trinidad’s endemic and endangered bird, the Pawi (Pipile pipile) and other endangered animals such as the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), anteater, river otter, and others, there are reports that wildlife is declining seriously due to hunting pressures.

What other great nature hikes would you suggest?