Saluopa Waterfall

Air Terjun Saluopa is a cascade of around a dozen tiers dropping through forest west of Tentena, and what makes it different from most waterfalls is that the route up is the fall itself: the rock is limestone travertine, rough and grippy rather than slick, so you climb the steps of the cascade barefoot with the water running over your feet, tier after tier, with concrete steps alongside where the rock is too steep. The water is clear and cold and the forest closes over the whole climb, so it is shaded the whole way. It takes about half an hour to the upper tiers. It is one of the standard outings from Tentena along with the lake and the Pamona caves, and it is quiet on weekdays.

What you actually see

• A climbable cascade - travertine steps walked up barefoot in the water.
• A dozen tiers - the fall rising in stages through the forest.
• Deep shade - forest closing over the whole climb.
• Clear cold water - running over the rock the whole way up.

When to go

May to September; weekdays for quiet. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The rock is grippy but wet - go carefully and barefoot rather than in slick soles. High water makes the upper tiers unsafe. Facilities are minimal.

Nearby

Tentena and Lake Poso are east; the Bada valley megaliths are south.