The Trois Bras waterfall in the north of Martinique

The Trois Bras waterfall is one of the mythical natural destinations of northern Martinique. Hidden at the foot of Mount Pelée, in the heart of the humid forest, it has to be earned: allow a full day of hiking to reach it.

Description of the waterfall

The Trois Bras waterfall in Martinique is one of the most impressive on the island. The place is a very good opportunity to admire the lush, dense and exotic vegetation. The waterfall sits in the middle of a humid forest, at the foot of Mount Pelée, in an area of primary low-altitude vegetation.

At the foot of the falls, natural pools let you cool off in the fresh water coming down from Mount Pelée. Stay careful: the rocks are slippery, the current can be strong near the fall and the river rises very quickly after rain. If the sky clouds over or the water changes colour, turn back.

Practical information about the waterfall

The Trois Bras waterfall is deep in the humid forest. Like any tropical forest, it is full of insects, so bring mosquito repellent and a cap to avoid sunburn. The hike to the Trois Bras waterfall is demanding: allow 5 to 6.5 hours of walking for the round trip. The trail from Le Prêcheur to Grand'Rivière is marked, but the stretch up the river to the falls is not. It requires agility and includes a few sections with ropes and slippery rocks. Wear hiking shoes with good grip, take at least one litre of water per person (more for the whole day), a swimsuit, a towel and a waterproof bag. Start early, go in a group and do not enter the river if rain is threatening: here is what to do in Martinique when it rains. The dry season is the safest, see our guide to Martinique in February. If in doubt, a local guide is a sensible option.

The area is part of the Prêcheur Grand'Rivière strict biological reserve, managed by the ONF (French national forest service): keep this environment intact, take nothing away and leave no waste. The trail can be blocked by landslides or fallen trees, especially after heavy rain or a storm. Before you leave, ask about the condition of the trail at ONF Martinique, the Le Prêcheur town hall or the tourist office.

Address and access map to the Trois Bras waterfall

From Fort-de-France, take the A1 motorway then the N2 towards Saint-Pierre, then the D10 towards Le Prêcheur and keep going to the end of the road, at the Anse Couleuvre car park, where the hike starts. Allow a little over an hour of driving. The last few kilometres are narrow, winding and sometimes in poor condition: drive slowly, especially in a rental car.

The Anse Couleuvre car park is small and fills up quickly, especially at weekends: arrive before 9 am. From the car park, cross the small ravine, then follow the Le Prêcheur to Grand'Rivière trail. About 7 km further on, a fork points to the Trois Bras river: this is where you leave the marked trail and follow the river up towards the falls. Once you reach the river, the route is no longer marked: note the fork carefully and do not go alone.

Allow 5 to 6.5 hours of walking for the round trip from the Anse Couleuvre car park (about 7 km to the fork, then about 2 km up the river), not counting the break at the falls. The waterfall lies roughly halfway along the Le Prêcheur to Grand'Rivière trail: you can also reach it from Grand'Rivière, but the distance is similar.

The Trois Bras waterfall is an excellent destination to admire nature at work. A reward worthy of the effort, in a preserved natural setting.

To go with a guide, discover the guided hike from Anse Couleuvre to Grand'Rivière, and enjoy Anse Couleuvre beach after the effort. Extend the day with a guided walk in Saint-Pierre, the former capital.

List of waterfalls in Martinique

• The Trois Bras waterfall
• The Absalon waterfall in Martinique
• The Waterfall of Saut du Gendarme
• The waterfall and hike in the heart of Bouliki
• The hot spring Dlo Ferré
• The waterfall of Anse Couleuvre
• The waterfall Bô La Riviè
• The Dany Waterfall
• The Didier Waterfall
• The Cascade of the Kings
• The Gorges de la Falaise
• The cascades of Saut Babin
• The Bouliki Heart