TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ULTIMATE HIKING MADAMAS RIVER CIRCUIT 24-MAR-13 10:46:07 AM
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 24.21 mi
- Elevation gain
- 4,678 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Very difficult
- Elevation loss
- 4,678 ft
- Max elevation
- 773 ft
- TrailRank
- 38
- Min elevation
- -283 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- one day 4 hours 44 minutes
- Coordinates
- 3754
- Uploaded
- April 24, 2013
- Recorded
- March 2013
near Brasso Seco Village, Tunapuna/Piarco (Republic of Trinidad and Tobago)
Viewed 2222 times, downloaded 32 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Madamas River
One of the most mind- blowing places in the Northern Range is the Madamas River. Located nine miles to the west of Matelot and ten miles to the east of Blanchisseuse, the river can boast of having countless waterfalls, gorges and basins. The main source of the river comes from some of the most far-fetch regions of the Northern Range, the El Chiquero Forest situated eight miles to the east of Brasso Seco /Paria.
The river is pristine, and the ten mile course, which will take a day to explore, is like being in Adventure land. There are numerous pools to jump in, giant boulders to climb over, and spectacular gorges to swim through some as long as a quarter mile.
The mouth is situated at Madamas Bay, and as it exits into the sea the river has lost it turbulence and turned into a lagoon. It feels like heaven on earth, with the crashing of the waves and the serenity of the atmosphere. Madamas is French for madam, and the beautiful, romantic ambience justifies the name. The re-vitalising crystal clear water is a must for any traveler, and at night the nesting of the leather-back turtles adds liveliness to the beach.
The roughness of the waves makes it difficult for boats to come ashore since there is no jetty and camp for the night has to be set up at Paria Bay.
Exploring this river is suitable for the experience and once the adventurer has started there is no retreat. The trek begins at 5.30am from Brasso Seco Visitors Centre and consists of four legs with sleep- over at Paria Bay.
Leg 1 : Begin with a 2 hour hike from Brasso Seco Village to a confluence of tributaries called Macajuel Pond. (Saturday)
Leg 2 : 8 -10 hours down stream exploration to Madamas Bay. (Saturday)
Leg 3 : 3 hour hike from Madamas Bay to camp-out at Paria Bay.(Saturday)
Leg 4 : 3 hour return trek from Paria Bay to Brasso Seco Village on Sunday Morning.
Main Items needed for the expedition are 1.life jacket 2. Change of clothing and toiletries to be transported to Paria 3.Torch light 4.personal refreshments 5.water proof bag or container.
Rating : 8 (long hours of swimming and hiking : total 12-14 hours)
One of the most mind- blowing places in the Northern Range is the Madamas River. Located nine miles to the west of Matelot and ten miles to the east of Blanchisseuse, the river can boast of having countless waterfalls, gorges and basins. The main source of the river comes from some of the most far-fetch regions of the Northern Range, the El Chiquero Forest situated eight miles to the east of Brasso Seco /Paria.
The river is pristine, and the ten mile course, which will take a day to explore, is like being in Adventure land. There are numerous pools to jump in, giant boulders to climb over, and spectacular gorges to swim through some as long as a quarter mile.
The mouth is situated at Madamas Bay, and as it exits into the sea the river has lost it turbulence and turned into a lagoon. It feels like heaven on earth, with the crashing of the waves and the serenity of the atmosphere. Madamas is French for madam, and the beautiful, romantic ambience justifies the name. The re-vitalising crystal clear water is a must for any traveler, and at night the nesting of the leather-back turtles adds liveliness to the beach.
The roughness of the waves makes it difficult for boats to come ashore since there is no jetty and camp for the night has to be set up at Paria Bay.
Exploring this river is suitable for the experience and once the adventurer has started there is no retreat. The trek begins at 5.30am from Brasso Seco Visitors Centre and consists of four legs with sleep- over at Paria Bay.
Leg 1 : Begin with a 2 hour hike from Brasso Seco Village to a confluence of tributaries called Macajuel Pond. (Saturday)
Leg 2 : 8 -10 hours down stream exploration to Madamas Bay. (Saturday)
Leg 3 : 3 hour hike from Madamas Bay to camp-out at Paria Bay.(Saturday)
Leg 4 : 3 hour return trek from Paria Bay to Brasso Seco Village on Sunday Morning.
Main Items needed for the expedition are 1.life jacket 2. Change of clothing and toiletries to be transported to Paria 3.Torch light 4.personal refreshments 5.water proof bag or container.
Rating : 8 (long hours of swimming and hiking : total 12-14 hours)
Comments (2)
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Personally this is absolutely the best hike in Trinidad and Tobago. It contains a bit of everything, adventure, danger to boost your adrenaline, water, rocks, wildlife, river hiking and swimming, coastal hiking and walking and off course overnight camping on the beach. It is a really long pull down the river section and being in and out of the water and play on your mind but the danger keeps you focussed. By the time you hit Madamas beach your muscles are real tired and then you have 2 1/2 to 3 hours hiking still to Paria Bay. It is not unusual for some hikers to make it to Paria after sunset. But it is still the best.
we did this track yesterday. we parked a fair way down madamas road. the river section took us about 6 hours. we ran a good portion of the track, but also took a few 20-30 minute breaks. hitchhiked about 6 kilometers back to the car. it total it took 12 hours car to car. navigation was easy. would be recommend doing it in two days as samuel has done for all but the most fit & motivated hikers.