Carbet Falls
Carbet Falls (French: Les chutes du Carbet) is a series of waterfalls on the Carbet River in Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France located in the Leeward Islands of the eastern Caribbean region. Its three cascades are set amid the tropical rainforests on the lower slopes of the volcano La Soufrière. The falls are one of the most popular visitor sites in Guadeloupe, with approximately 400,000 visitors annually.
In 1493, Christopher Columbus noted Carbet Falls in his log. Appropriately, he named Guadeloupe Karukera, which translates as "the island of beautiful waters".[citation needed]
Description
The falls' first and highest cascade comprises a drop of more than125 m (410 ft). Visitors reach the cascade by a long, steep trail. The source of the Carbet River is located another 2 km (1.2 mi) upstream from the first cascade, at an elevation of 1,300 m (4,300 ft).
The second cascade receives the most visitors of the three, due to its convenient accessibility. This fall of 110 m (360 ft) is reached by a paved and very well designed path.
The third and last cascade measures 20 m (66 ft) in height, and has the greatest water volume of any waterfall in Guadeloupe. It is only accessible on foot, and only to experienced hikers.
Recent events
Following an earthquake in 2004, several cubic meters of rock split from the cliff face behind the second cascade. The safety hazard thus created led park authorities to limit access to the cascade to no closer than a bridge just downstream. Heavy rains in 2005 only exacerbated the problem by leaving the terrain yet more unstable.