| Trinidad and Tobago, two islands set in the Caribbean | | | | through verdant countryside dotted by small villages |
| Sea. The name Caribbean conjures up images of blue | | | | and isolated houses. There are numerous trails |
| seas and white sand beaches set against green hills. | | | | throughout the property and very knowledgeable |
| It brings to mind images of lying on the beach sipping | | | | guides. |
| pina coladas or rum and coca-cola. For the holiday | | | | Grafton Wildlife Sanctuary, Tobago, is a former |
| traveler Tobago meets those expectations. For the | | | | cocoa and coconut estate that was destroyed by |
| outdoor enthusiast however, Trinidad and Tobago | | | | Hurricane Flora in 1963 and as a result was converted |
| can be islands of outdoor recreation adventure with | | | | into a wildlife sanctuary. It is approx. 200 acres in size |
| hiking trails and hidden waterfalls, bird and turtle | | | | and is covered in secondary forest. There are three |
| watching, cycling through verdant countryside or | | | | main forest trails. As you enter, the first trail on the |
| kayaking past wildlife filled forests. | | | | right leads downhill and is relatively short. The second |
| Trinidad and Tobago has a range of hiking | | | | trail on the left also gradually leads downhill and then |
| opportunities with many of the hikes leading to | | | | eventually climbs uphill. The main trail, which is directly |
| waterfalls. Rincon waterfall in the Rincon valley on the | | | | facing the entrance, leads uphill and winds past |
| north coast of Trinidad is a 250-foot vertical drop. | | | | several abandoned estate buildings and stables. There |
| The hike begins in the valley amidst small farms, | | | | are benches along the main trail and at some points |
| fording several crystal clear streams and then winds | | | | they provide panoramic views. There are at least |
| uphill, culminating with a steep descent to the base of | | | | three smaller trails that branch off from the main |
| the waterfall. The 32 kilometer trail from | | | | uphill trail but these are not always maintained. The |
| Blanchissuese to Matelot on Trinidad's north coast is | | | | three main forest trails are maintained. It is possible |
| considered a jewel. Along the hike one alternates | | | | to spend an enjoyable hour or an intense four hours. |
| from unspoiled rainforest to untouched beaches. | | | | The entire sanctuary abounds with birds of varied |
| Starting from Blanchissuese you encounter Paria Bay | | | | species. |
| after two to three hours (depending on the hiker's | | | | Trinidad and Tobago are islands in the Caribbean Sea |
| level of fitness). A short trail from the beach leads to | | | | so there are myriad opportunities for kayaking. |
| Paria waterfall where there is a deep clear pool below | | | | However for those who do not want to contend |
| the falls surrounded by heliconia, fringed lilies, and | | | | with large waves, ocean swells and ocean currents, |
| philodendron. If you choose to continue the hike | | | | Trinidad and Tobago offers a choice of sheltered |
| after Paria Bay, the trail rambles over a succession of | | | | saltwater and freshwater kayaking opportunities. |
| small ridges, crossing several small streams, until you | | | | Two kayaking areas of particular note are Bon |
| next encounter Gran Tacarib, which is a 1.2 kilometer | | | | Accord Lagoon and the Godineau River. |
| crescent shaped beach. From Gran Tacarib the trail | | | | The azure waters of Buccoo Bay and the Bon |
| continues to the Madamas river and then Madamas | | | | Accord Lagoon in Tobago are sheltered by the |
| Beach. Both Madamas Beach and Gran Tacarib are | | | | offshore Buccoo reef, providing a kayaking area with |
| nesting sites for Leatherback turtles, during the | | | | only gentle swells. Kayak rentals are available at the |
| nesting season of March to September. After | | | | nearby Storebay and also at Pigeon Point. The |
| Madamas it is a continuation of the up and down | | | | fringing Mangrove swamps of the Bon Accord |
| hiking and crossing small streams and then the Petite | | | | Lagoon provide a scenic contrast to the white sand |
| Riviere river. The trail continues through abandoned | | | | beaches along Pigeon Point and at the center of |
| estate lands with cocoa, coffee, tonka bean, nutmeg | | | | Buccoo bay. The offshoots of the reef also shelter |
| and papaya (pawpaw) until you arrive at the Matelot | | | | the adjacent Milford Bay, allowing one to kayak to |
| River and the village of Matelot. | | | | the south-east from Bon Accord Lagoon around |
| For those who want to lie on the beach but also | | | | Pigeon Point and into Milford Bay or vice-versa. |
| engage in some outdoor activity there are several | | | | The Godineau River in south Trinidad, also known as |
| less strenous hikes. Argyle waterfall on the outskirts | | | | the South Oropouche River, is one of the rivers in |
| of Roxborough in Tobago is an easy hike along the | | | | Trinidad that provides a year round kayaking |
| Argyle River to a three level waterfall. The hike to | | | | opportunity as the water level is always sufficient. |
| the Rio Seco waterfall on Trinidad's north-east coast | | | | Kayaking in the Godineau area takes you through a |
| goes through semi-cultivated land and then through | | | | variety of habitats, from saltwater mangrove swamp |
| stately mora forests to a small waterfall with a | | | | to fresh water marshland to partially cultivated areas. |
| refreshing emerald pool, ideal for swimming. | | | | A variety of birdlife can be seen on these kayak trips |
| Both Trinidad and Tobago abound with birds and at | | | | including Scarlet Ibis, Southern Lapwing, Osprey, |
| almost every turn an avian spectacle can be | | | | Savannah Hawk, Wattled Jacana, Cattle Egret, |
| observed. Trinidad and Tobago has some of the | | | | Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Lesser Yellowlegs, |
| most diverse bird species to be found in one location | | | | Black-bellied Whistling Duck and a variety of migrating |
| with over 460. This variety in species can perhaps be | | | | ducks (during the northern winter). This kayak trip |
| attributed to the fact that the islands lie close to | | | | can be started either from the sea along the area |
| South America so migration is easier, resulting in | | | | known as the Mosquito Creek or inland from the |
| unusually diverse fauna. Asa Wright Nature Center, is | | | | Woodland area. |
| Trinidad and Tobago's premier birding location and it | | | | Trinidad's network of old agricultural & oilfield roads |
| has been widely recognized as one of the most | | | | plus (relatively) quiet country roads, along with hiking |
| successful eco-tourism stories in the world. The listing | | | | paths provide a range of surfaces and environments |
| of birds that can be seen at this center is too long | | | | for cycling. In addition terrain ranges from flat land to |
| for this article but has been identified in the vicinity of | | | | rolling inclines to hillsides. For those with a preference |
| 159. Some of these birds include; Purple | | | | for road biking almost every area of Trinidad has |
| Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Crested | | | | country roads with reduced vehicle traffic. The |
| Oropendola, Silver-beaked Tanager, White-necked | | | | cross-country rider will be able to find undulating land |
| Jacobin hummingbirds, Bananaquit, Red-legged | | | | with natural vistas. Those whose interest lies in |
| Honeycreeper, White-chested Emerald hummingbird, | | | | mountain biking can find forest trails with logs, |
| Cocoa Thrush, Chestnut Woodpecker, Great | | | | bamboo and streams across the trail requiring |
| Antshrike. This Nature Center is located at a height | | | | navigation and dexterity. |
| of approximately 1,200 feet in the hills of the | | | | So the next time you are looking for outdoor |
| Northern Range, seven miles from the town of | | | | recreational activity with a difference, experience |
| Arima. It is reached by a single lane road that winds | | | | Trinidad and Tobago, islands of Adventure. |