Caura Valley

The Caura river runs down a valley in the Northern Range and its pools and gravel bars are one of the standard weekend outings from the east-west corridor: families set up under the trees, cook, play music and spend the day in the water, which is what Trinidadians call a river lime. Trails run further up the valley towards Caura Royal Road and the forest above, and the valley was once slated for a dam that was never built.

What you actually see

• The river pools - shallow pools and gravel bars used for swimming.
• The river lime - the weekend picnic culture along the banks.
• The forest trails - walks up the valley into the Northern Range.
• The abandoned dam - the scheme that was started and never completed.

When to go

January to May is driest and safest for the river. The wet season brings flash flooding and the river rises fast. Weekends and public holidays are extremely busy.

Honest expectations

The river floods quickly after rain in the hills and people have been swept away. Weekend crowds bring loud music and litter. There are few facilities and the road up is narrow.

Nearby

Tacarigua is south, and Maracas Bay is over the ridge.