The Carbet Waterfalls

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A walk through the tropical forest and, after a long effort, you will be rewarded at the foot of the two 100-metre-high waterfalls.

Details

n°156818
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.70 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 507 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 503 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 890 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 556 m
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Photos

The flora is omnipresent
Spectator of the trail
First Carbet waterfall
rope crossing

Description of the walk

Access: From the A1 motorway at Saint-Sauveur, take the Route de l'Habituée D4. At the end of the road, near the picnic area, the car park is where the trail starts.

(S) From the car park, follow the path heading west.

(1) At the fork, take the paved path on the right that descends towards the river (leave the path that leads to the Citerne and the Echelle on your left). Cross the Grand-Carbet River via a footbridge.

(2) At the fork, go left towards the second Carbet waterfall, 10 minutes away. Make a round trip.

(2) On your way back, take the access path on the left to the first waterfall (1 hour 25 minutes). The drop is significant.

(3) At the fork, take the path on the left that leads to the first waterfall (the path on the right leads to the third Carbet waterfall). Follow the trail uphill.

(4) Cross the river; the trail continues opposite. At the fork between the first waterfall and the Col de l'Echelle, continue straight ahead. Near the waterfall, there are some tricky sections between the link and the first waterfall.

(5) Once you reach the foot of the waterfall, take time to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.

Return by the same route.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 590 m - Picnic area car park
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 614 m - Fork in the road: Ladder / Carbet Falls
  3. 2 : km 0.57 - alt. 568 m - First fork - Deuxième Chute du Carbet
  4. 3 : km 0.73 - alt. 643 m - Connection to the third waterfall
  5. 4 : km 1.79 - alt. 855 m - Crossing the ravine
  6. 5 : km 2.19 - alt. 875 m - Première Chute du Carbet
  7. S/E : km 4.7 - alt. 589 m - Picnic area car park

Notes

Please note: Do not rely on the estimated time, but allow 4 hours instead.
Check the weather forecast before setting out on this hike. In particular, in wet weather, access to the first waterfall, after (4), may be compromised.
At the start, you will need to pay €2 to the forest rangers, who will provide information on accessibility to the first waterfall depending on the weather.

For the first waterfall, a pair of waterproof hiking boots is strongly recommended, as is a swimsuit, although the water in the pool at the foot of the waterfall is cool.
For the second waterfall, a pair of trainers is sufficient.

Satellites sometimes have difficulty detecting us, but the path is well marked and signposted.

Worth a visit

The Paradis pool is 200 metres to the right before the car park. It is difficult to find and the steps are steep.
The Grand Etang tour is 2 km before the Carbet car park.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 32 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 11186467

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The path is equipped with footbridges, so there are no issues with the route, but there are some tricky sections at times, especially when it’s wet; you need to be wearing sturdy footwear and have sure-footedness.
Drizzle and fog at the start, followed by a heavy storm lasting nearly an hour; we’re walking through muddy puddles
The Grand Carbet river is in flood; take care when crossing and bear in mind that you’ll have to cross it again on the way back
In this case, there’s no question of swimming in the pool at the base of the waterfall

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françoisetchristine
françoisetchristine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this the day after we arrived, following a long flight: the physical exertion felt quite strenuous (or perhaps I was just struggling to acclimatise!!??). The steps are quite steep. The second waterfall is very easy to reach, so the first one requires a lot more effort, but it’s well worth the effort. There are a reasonable number of visitors. The walk through the tropical rainforest is absolutely stunning.

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User 28451523

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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JulienLezard
JulienLezard
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, challenging and wet trail that requires good shoes, water and a snack.
As you climb up, you tell yourself that the way back will be easier... but no, because you have to stay focused and precise.
The tropical forest and the waterfall are magnificent and well worth a few litres of sweat!
You need to be in good physical condition to make it to the end and enjoy yourself.

Not recommended for younger children, as some of the crossings are difficult.

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alain-maurice
alain-maurice

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike through the tropical forest.
Good hiking boots are essential as the trail is very muddy with a few difficult but accessible sections.

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oribat
oribat

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Some would describe this circuit as moderate... personally, I would say difficult.
There are steep sections, high crossings, rope passages... the trail is slippery from start to finish with a risk of falling (I personally slipped while crossing a water crossing). In short, you need to know where you're putting your feet.
But the circuit is fantastic, set in the heart of a dense tropical forest, and the finish line is marked by a majestic waterfall.
The interior of Guadeloupe is well worth the effort 😉

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Gui_66
Gui_66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A signposted route (€5.30/adult) that is easy to access. The first section consists of steps and paths that will really test your thighs. It ends with a path and ropes to hold onto. It's well worth the effort!

Shoes, water and snacks are essential.

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PapéDidou
PapéDidou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pretty hike, easy to get to waterfall no. 2 (about 20 minutes) on a very well-maintained trail.
Access to waterfall no. 1 is more difficult. We did it in dry weather and it took us 4 hours there and back.
Be careful not to slip as there are some wet areas, so good shoes are recommended.
The effort is rewarded with a beautiful natural spectacle and the waterfall is impressive. You can swim, but the water is a bit cold. Well done to the water and forestry department for the layout.

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Jefff
Jefff

Hello, we agree. My wife actually turned back before reaching the end. La Soufrière, which is classified as more difficult but in my opinion much less complicated, was also the opinion of the guide at the entrance to the Carbet Falls

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Alain CHARDON
Alain CHARDON

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note!
In my opinion, you are underestimating the difficulty of this very challenging route, which requires extreme caution, especially in wet conditions when the rocks become very slippery.
I think it is reasonable to consider this hike as being reserved for experienced walkers.
Best regards.
Alain CHARDON

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PapéDidou
PapéDidou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A challenging but beautiful course! Very well designed and maintained. Well done!
Be careful not to slip!

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Faron
Faron

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Good weather for this hike, which isn't that easy when it comes to the first waterfall. The second is very easy, but access to the third is not recommended due to a landslide. Access to the first waterfall is well maintained for most of the way but has a few tricky sections equipped with ropes. In my opinion, high or low hiking boots are essential. There are quite a few slippery areas along the route. However, the effort is greatly rewarded by the beauty of the site.

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Julien 35 B
Julien 35 B

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done after a light rain shower. The second waterfall (the one you see first 🙃) is very easy to access, taking us about 15 minutes. But it's not very interesting; you can see the waterfall, but you have to stay quite far away, and it's not freely accessible. The first waterfall (which is the second on the hike) is something else. It's not particularly difficult, but it's physically demanding, especially the first part, where there are lots of steps (about 50 minutes of walking each way for us), so be careful with your knees. The final approach is more technical with some difficult sections where ropes have been installed to make it easier. However, the arrival is spectacular with a small view of the valley but above all a 120-metre waterfall right in front of you. We didn't go swimming as it was quite cold up there with a strong wind. The hike took three hours there and back (including a short detour to the second waterfall) excluding the lunch break at the top facing the waterfall. We recommend it.

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CORBIER
CORBIER

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note: the circuit is entirely equipped with stairs... lots of stairs... Those with knee problems should refrain from participating!

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migar
migar

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The second drop is very easy and very crowded.
The first is more difficult with a few sections that have been cleared. As it is slippery and muddy, ropes are welcome.
A break at the river crossing is pleasant.
A slip on the rocks forced us to turn back almost at the end.

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