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Trinidad and Tobago🇹🇹 | hikesArgyle FallsTiered cascades, tea-colored pools, Roxborough guides, slick rock | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Argyle Falls
👍 Recommendedhike ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Tobago’s tallest waterfall drops through a series of tiers, and you hear the river long before you see a single pool. Argyle Falls sits inland from Roxborough, in the northeast of Tobago, part of Trinidad and Tobago, and it asks very little of you. The path is short, mostly shaded and well worn, so the hardest decision is which pool to sit in first. The rocks are slick, the steps up to the higher tiers are steep, and sandals will betray you at the worst moment. Reaching Roxborough by public bus from Scarborough is simple enough, though services thin out later in the day, so a stranded afternoon is a real possibility. Still, the cool, tea-colored water after a sweaty walk is worth every slip. For a first day, take an early bus to Roxborough, walk up to the falls with a local guide, swim in the lowest pool, then climb higher while your legs still cooperate.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Trinidad and Tobago Travel Guide.
Best time to go: December - May
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 2 kilometers
Total ascent: 90 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 hike in Trinidad and TobagoWhat makes it a must-see hike

Argyle Falls gives backpackers a proper jungle waterfall without spending a day or a fortune on it. The big appeal is the ratio: a walk of under an hour round trip puts you beside a multi-tiered cascade, the tallest on Tobago, with swimmable pools at several levels. You can stop at the first pool or keep climbing, so the effort scales to your energy and the weather.
It also suits the island’s shape. Roxborough is reachable by the public bus network from Scarborough, and the falls pair neatly with the Windward Road coast and the rainforest villages nearby. You can slot the visit into a morning, then continue toward Bloody Bay and Parlatuvier by afternoon.
The site is run as a community eco-site, so you pay a modest fee and local guides tell you what the trees and birds are, rather than leaving … read more 👉
Argyle Falls gives backpackers a proper jungle waterfall without spending a day or a fortune on it. The big appeal is the ratio: a walk of under an hour round trip puts you beside a multi-tiered cascade, the tallest on Tobago, with swimmable pools at several levels. You can stop at the first pool or keep climbing, so the effort scales to your energy and the weather.
It also suits the island’s shape. Roxborough is reachable by the public bus network from Scarborough, and the falls pair neatly with the Windward Road coast and the rainforest villages nearby. You can slot the visit into a morning, then continue toward Bloody Bay and Parlatuvier by afternoon.
The site is run as a community eco-site, so you pay a modest fee and local guides tell you what the trees and birds are, rather than leaving you to guess. For travelers who want a guided, low-cost swim in rainforest water on a route that otherwise leans on beaches, this is the day that breaks up the sand.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. The Lower Pool and First Cascade: This is the image everyone searches for. Water spills over dark rock into a broad, cool pool that is deep enough to swim and wide enough to share. It is the easiest spot on the whole hike and the one most people photograph.
  2. The Upper Tiers: Stone steps and rough scrambles lead to the higher cascades, where the water funnels through narrower channels. Fewer people make the climb, so the upper pools are quieter. Grip matters here, because wet rock behaves like soap.
  3. The Argyle River Path: Before the falls, the trail follows the river through shaded forest with bamboo, wild ginger and tall trees. Your guide can point out birds such as motmots and hummingbirds. It is a gentle walk, with water sounds that grow louder the closer you get.
  4. The Argyle Eco-Site Entrance:
… read more 👉
  1. The Lower Pool and First Cascade: This is the image everyone searches for. Water spills over dark rock into a broad, cool pool that is deep enough to swim and wide enough to share. It is the easiest spot on the whole hike and the one most people photograph.
  2. The Upper Tiers: Stone steps and rough scrambles lead to the higher cascades, where the water funnels through narrower channels. Fewer people make the climb, so the upper pools are quieter. Grip matters here, because wet rock behaves like soap.
  3. The Argyle River Path: Before the falls, the trail follows the river through shaded forest with bamboo, wild ginger and tall trees. Your guide can point out birds such as motmots and hummingbirds. It is a gentle walk, with water sounds that grow louder the closer you get.
  4. The Argyle Eco-Site Entrance: The community-run entrance has a small visitor area where you pay your fee and meet the guides who work the trail. Local guides know which pools are safe after rain, and their knowledge is the best part of this stop.
  5. Roxborough Village: The nearby village is the base for the hike and a quiet place to wander. You pass small shops, roadside food and the Windward Road coast, and it is a practical spot to wait for a return bus.
Argyle Falls costs only a small entrance fee, while wandering through Roxborough village costs nothing at all.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Argyle Falls

The Grand Circle 12-Hour All-Inclusive Island Experience

The Grand Circle 12-Hour All-Inclusive Island Experience

5.0(397)
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The Grand Circle 24-Hour All-Inclusive Island Experience

The Grand Circle 24-Hour All-Inclusive Island Experience

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Bird Sanctuaries Tour

Bird Sanctuaries Tour

4.2(6)
From €127
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Englishman's Bay Day Trip with Lunch

Englishman's Bay Day Trip with Lunch

3.7(3)
From €168
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (January to May): Argyle Falls is at its most reliable for a visit, with the trail firm underfoot and the pools clear enough to swim. Days run about 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F), and the upper tiers flow thinner but never stop.
  • Wet Season (June to December): Afternoon downpours swell the Argyle River and turn the pools tea-brown. Temperatures sit around 23 to 31°C (73 to 88°F) with heavy humidity, and the clay path gets slick. The falls look their fullest, though swimming can be closed off after heavy rain.
  • Crowds: Weekends, public holidays and the Tobago Carnival-style festival periods bring local families and cruise groups. Weekday mornings are quiet.
  • Daylight: Days stay near 12 hours all year, so you have a steady window from about 9 a.m. to late afternoon.
  • Prices: The entry fee and guide
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (January to May): Argyle Falls is at its most reliable for a visit, with the trail firm underfoot and the pools clear enough to swim. Days run about 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F), and the upper tiers flow thinner but never stop.
  • Wet Season (June to December): Afternoon downpours swell the Argyle River and turn the pools tea-brown. Temperatures sit around 23 to 31°C (73 to 88°F) with heavy humidity, and the clay path gets slick. The falls look their fullest, though swimming can be closed off after heavy rain.
  • Crowds: Weekends, public holidays and the Tobago Carnival-style festival periods bring local families and cruise groups. Weekday mornings are quiet.
  • Daylight: Days stay near 12 hours all year, so you have a steady window from about 9 a.m. to late afternoon.
  • Prices: The entry fee and guide rates stay flat all year. Only lodging in Roxborough and nearby rises, mainly around July and August and in the Christmas weeks.
Aim for a weekday morning in February to April, and you get firm footing, clear water and the pools to yourself.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
trinidad-and-tobago-hike-argyle-falls
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Trinidad and Tobago


Best quality hotels in Trinidad and Tobago

🥾 Hike detailsHike details: route, duration, and difficulty of Argyle Falls

Total Distance: Argyle Falls is a short walk of roughly 1.5 to 2 kilometers round trip from the visitor entrance to the upper pools and back.
Estimated Duration: Allow about 2 hours, including swimming and photo stops. Fast walkers can finish sooner, but nobody leaves the water quickly.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The path is short, but wet rock, uneven steps and a few small stream crossings call for care.
Starting Point: The trail begins at the community eco-site near Roxborough, in the northeast of Tobago.
  • Public Transport: Buses run from Scarborough to Roxborough along the Windward Road, with
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Argyle Falls is a short walk of roughly 1.5 to 2 kilometers round trip from the visitor entrance to the upper pools and back.
Estimated Duration: Allow about 2 hours, including swimming and photo stops. Fast walkers can finish sooner, but nobody leaves the water quickly.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The path is short, but wet rock, uneven steps and a few small stream crossings call for care.
Starting Point: The trail begins at the community eco-site near Roxborough, in the northeast of Tobago.
  • Public Transport: Buses run from Scarborough to Roxborough along the Windward Road, with the eco-site a short walk or taxi ride beyond the village.
  • Return: Services drop off later in the day, so plan to head back by mid-afternoon.
Major Landmarks:
  • Visitor Entrance: Pay the fee and arrange a local guide here.
  • First Cascade and Pool: The main swimming area and the most visited spot.
  • Upper Tiers: Reached by steps and short scrambles, with smaller pools between each drop.
Terrain and Scenery: The path follows the Argyle River over packed earth, stone steps and wet boulders. Water falls through several stages down a forested hillside.
Vegetation: Rainforest with bamboo, tall canopy trees, ferns, heliconias and wild ginger along the shaded banks.
Wildlife: Birds are the main draw, including motmots and hummingbirds. Small fish and freshwater crabs live in the pools, and lizards sun on the rocks.
Practical Notes: Wear shoes with real grip, bring a towel and swimwear, and carry cash in the local currency for the fee and guide.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Argyle Falls is a short, well-managed walk, and the main problems are slippery rock and sudden water changes. The path from the entrance is a gentle 10 to 20 minutes up to the first tier, but the stone steps and clay get greasy after rain, so wear shoes with real grip rather than flip-flops. Climbing to the higher tiers means scrambling over wet boulders, and a fall there is the injury you are most likely to see. Jump from the ledges only if you have checked depth with the guide. The river can rise fast after upstream storms, so leave the water if it clouds or the current picks up. Mosquitoes and sandflies are active, particularly near dusk, so bring repellent. Carry drinking water, a dry bag and small cash for the fee. Wildlife is minimal beyond birds and the odd lizard. Keep valuables out of sight at the parking area.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 1.5 to 3 hours at Argyle Falls, including the walk and swimming. The path from the entrance near Roxborough to the first main tier takes roughly 10 to 20 minutes, and reaching the upper levels adds another 30 to 45 minutes of scrambling. Roxborough lies about 30 to 40 minutes by road from Scarborough.
Argyle Falls is an easy hike, with a short walking trail and a few moderately slippery sections. The first tier suits almost any fitness level and families with children, while the upper tiers need some agility over wet boulders. Wear grippy shoes, especially after rain, when the clay path and rocks turn slick.
Argyle Falls has an entry fee of about US$9 per person, paid at the visitor center near the trailhead. A local guide is not strictly required for the first tier, but guides are available on site for around US$7 to 15 and are useful for the upper tiers and safe jumping spots. No special permit is needed, and the site is generally open daily from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Trinidadian and Tobagonian hikes near Argyle Falls

Explore more nearby:

  • Paria Bay—Brasso Seco trailhead, river wading, dark-sand bay, howler monkeys| 89 km away
  • Avocat Waterfall—Oil-country trailhead, muddy clay path, plunge pool, Fyzabad| 94 km away
  • Edith Falls—Chaguaramas hills, thin curtain falls, forest shade, seasonal flow| 128 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Argyle Falls trips people up when they treat it like a beach stop: flip-flops, no cash and a late bus plan. Go in shoes with grip, carry small bills for the fee and guide, and arrive in the morning so the pools are quiet and the bus home is not a gamble. Climb past the first pool, because that is where the crowds thin.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Trinidad and Tobago. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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