Toco, Trinidad.

This driving trail started in Iere Village just outside the town of Princes’ Town. I took the Naparima-Mayaro Road from Iere Village to Reform Road. The Reform Road intersection is located at 10.28930°N and -61.41702°W. Reform Road goes into Gasparillo and Harmony Hall. It is used by most as a convenient “short cut” onto the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway during peak travel hours to evade traffic. However, be very mindful of the fact that this road is in a very bad state of neglect and disrepair. Turn left at the intersection at 10.30813°N and -61.41749°W and continue straight on. There is an intersection at 10.30985°N and -61.41965°W. If you turn (left) onto that road (Gasparillo Bye Pass Road) you’d enter the southbound lane of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway.
You’d then make a right turn at the Bon Aventure – Guaracara-Tabaquite Road intersections. This is located at 10.31035°N and -61.62848°W. Continuing straight along this road will lead to the PetroTrin Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery entrance. Turn right at 10.31504°N and -61.43151°W to merge into the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway.
Several options exist at this point but I chose to follow the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway to Valsayn and turn right (east) at the traffic lights located at the intersection at 10.63227°N and -61.42915°W. This leads onto the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway. This highway can be taken right to Valencia.
Turn left onto Antigua Road at 10.62963°N and -61.21996°W. This road will merge into the Eastern Main Road heading into Valencia at the intersection at 10.64368°N and -61.21977°W. A right turn heading East at this intersection leads into Valencia. Along this stretch of roadway the traffic is usually quite heavy so be prepared for delays. On the bright side one can find a lot of relatively good quality local honey for sale along this area.
Turn left onto Valencia Road at the intersection at 10.65239°N and -61.20266°W. Going straight on will take you to Sangre Grande. Sections of the Valencia Road are in pretty bad shape so be aware. Along this road you will encounter the “Valencia River.” This is a favourite weekend “liming” spot for many Trinidadian families. Continue along the Valencia Road and turn left at the intersection located at 10.64556°N and -61.10043°W. This takes you onto the Toco Main Road. From here is smooth driving to Toco and places beyond. Just be aware that this is the main thoroughfare from Matelot, Grande Riveire, and Toco into Valencia, Sangre Grande, and Arima so it contains mixed traffic.
Turn right onto Galera Road at 10.83710°N and -60.93772°W. This road is only about 3.5km long so it is great for walking during the early morning and late evening. This is because it has little canopy cover to shade you from the intense sunshine and heat. Along Galera Road you will encounter Salibia Beach. This is located at 10.83435°N and -60.92323°W. This beach is one of the most beautiful “white sandy beaches” that we have on this coastline of Trinidad. From along this area you get a very good view of the sister island of Tobago as well.
The Galera Point Lighthouse is located at the end of Galera Road at 10.83426°N and -60.91029°W. You are free to roam the grounds of the lighthouse at your leisure. There are lots of picnic tables under “sea grape” trees. This particular spot makes a great “Sunday Lime.” At the rear of the lighthouse there’s a wooden gate that leads out to the very extreme Northeast point of Trinidad. You can walk along the rocks out to the very edge at 10.83483°N and -60.90902°W. You should be careful out there though because the rocks can get loose and you’ll end up in the raging ocean or you can easily trip and get injured pretty badly out there.
When I left Galera Point I headed back out along Galera Road and turned right at the junction at 10.83710°N and -60.93772°W. This goes onto the Paria Main Road. This road will eventually lead to the remote fishing village of Matelot. My journey ended at Missions Bay located at 10.8333°N and -60.95103°W. This Bay is an annual nesting site for sea turtles...
Happy Trails...