If you have read this post about one of the iconic waterfalls of the island, Chamarel Falls, and has been wondering about how to get down to this waterfall, then this blog post will certainly enlighten you. Early this year, during the month of February, together with Idriss & Co, we set off towards Chamarel with the aim to visit this famous waterfall in all it’s aspects; top, front & bottom! Having already visited the top and front side on a solo mission, it was high time to get serious a hike and check how things would turn out visiting the waterfall to the complete bottom. This would mean climbing down, follow the river and reach where the water actually hits the floor!
It was a public holiday, the chinese Spring Festival, and we decided to hike this waterfall even though the weather was rather rainy during these days of early 2018. From time it would stop and the sun would peak and then again the clouds would come and take over. We reached the gate entrance at 3:00pm and followed the path to the top of the waterfall, Idriss flew his drone and we spent some time there admiring the view and so on. It was already 4h15pm
that we realised we also had to get down and even though the weather still didn’t clear up we decided to maintain the hike down to wherever we got according to the time.
At 16:30 we started hiking down the path near the main parking of the viewpoint and needless to say how muddy and slippery it was. The path is well defined without much difficulties until we reached the river bank where the next step was to cross the river. Luckily it wasn’t really raining as such since we reached the area but it had rained earlier during the day and the water level was quite high and gushing.
With lots of precaution we crossed the river and followed the right side of the bank for some 30-40 minutes where we reached a point where we couldn’t proceed further and the next step was to cross the river again to the left side. Needless to say how beautiful the view was that close to the water and how everything looked dramatic with this dull weather.
We were now right in front of the waterfall and kept admiring the view and taking lots of pictures. The only problem I personally faced was that my gears were seriously getting wet with all that myst and vapor flying around as the water was falling down. After each two shots I had to wipe the lens and repeat on and on. I know I was taking a risk when using the camera in such a weather but I trust my equipment as well and as soon as I reached home I
dried them up thoroughly.
There was also a cave opposite the waterfall and lots of birds and bats dwelled in, and on seeing us approaching the birds flew out in groups, creating a beautiful effect. We spent some 20 minutes more here and there before hitting back to where we started and the way back was actually much quicker. At 18:45 we were back to the car and moved out. It was an outstanding hike down this waterfall but I would seriously not recommend it during rainy days because of the water level and strength across the river and also because of the heavy myst mostly everywhere… you might not obtain good pictures. Ohh, and I forgot to mention… I did this whole hike BAREFOOT because I didn’t want my shoes to get wet… and it did hurt!
Find the full path here
