Chutes Voltaire

The Voltaire falls drop in wide terraces over dark rock in the forest southeast of Saint-Laurent, reached by seventy kilometres of laterite track and then a walk down through big trees, which keeps the crowds away without making it an expedition. The water comes down in several arms around rock islands, and pools at the base are deep enough to soak in. A carbet stands near the falls for those who stay the night.

What you actually see

• The terraced falls - water dropping in wide steps over dark rock.
• The forest walk - the path down through primary forest to the base.
• The pools - basins under the falls deep enough to soak in.
• The carbet - the open shelter used by overnighters.

When to go

July to November is the dry season and the track is at its best. After rain the laterite gets greasy and the falls run brown and heavy. Weekends bring families from Saint-Laurent.

Honest expectations

The track is long, rough and slow, and a low car will suffer. Flow shrinks late in the dry season. There are no facilities beyond the carbet and no phone signal.

Nearby

Saint-Laurent is northwest, and Apatou is west on the river.