The Carbet Falls are reached from the Chutes du Carbet visitor area, at the end of the RD4 road, in Capesterre-Belle-Eau. The second fall is the easiest: 1.4 km (0.9 mi) round trip, 71 m (233 ft) of climb, about 1 h 30, but the foot of the waterfall is banned by municipal order and you admire it from a viewpoint. The first fall, 125 m (410 ft) high according to the National Park, takes about 3 h and 504 m (1,654 ft) of climb, with a ford that is dangerous in rainy weather. The trail to the third fall has been closed since June 29, 2026. Here is what the Guadeloupe National Park and its hiking sheets publish, fall by fall.
The falls are in the south of Basse-Terre, on the slopes of the Soufrière massif. To place the site within a trip, see our Guadeloupe travel guide and our page on La Soufrière, the neighboring volcano. See entry requirements for Guadeloupe on our destination page.
Our travel deals for Carbet Falls
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Carbet Falls.Compare flights
Carbet Falls: key facts
- Start: Chutes du Carbet visitor area, Capesterre-Belle-Eau (RD4 road, to the end of the road) — checked on 27 October 2026 on Guadeloupe National Park (Geotrek)
- 2nd fall: 1.4 km (0.9 mi) round trip, 71 m (233 ft) of climb, about 1 h 30, « easy » rating; foot of the fall banned (municipal order no. 2011-99).
- 1st fall: 4.8 km (3 mi) round trip, 504 m (1,654 ft) of climb, about 3 h; crossing of the Longueteau ravine, to be avoided if it rained the day before.
- 3rd fall: trail closed since June 29, 2026 (broken railing, fallen tree); foot of the waterfall banned (order no. 18/152).
- Price and hours: the Park publishes no price or opening hours for the visitor area on its sheets; ask on site.
- Car parks: unattended, the Park states.
- Reduced mobility: access is possible to the promontory with a panorama over Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante and La Désirade in very clear weather.
The three Carbet Falls at a glance
The Grand Carbet river descends from the Soufrière massif in several cascades. The National Park describes them in separate sheets, with very different starting points and levels: do not confuse the three outings.
| Fall | Start | Round-trip distance | Climb | Time | Status on October 27, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd fall | Chutes du Carbet visitor area (RD4) | 1.4 km (0.9 mi) | 71 m (233 ft) | 1 h 30 | Trail open; foot of the fall banned |
| 1st fall | Chutes du Carbet visitor area (RD4) | 4.8 km (3 mi) | 504 m (1,654 ft) | 3 h | Route published; ford dangerous in rain |
| 3rd fall | Petit Marquisat, above Routhiers (RD3) | 3.7 km (2.3 mi) | 197 m (646 ft) | 2 h | Trail closed since June 29, 2026 |
The Park adds a 2 km (1.2 mi) link between the 3rd and 2nd falls, rated difficult, with two river crossings: it is a linear section with no road access, for organized hikers only (plan a vehicle at the finish or double the walking time).
The second fall: the accessible walk
This is the outing most visitors choose. The developed trail, marked in yellow, crosses dense rainforest. The Park describes the route: a few meters after the start, a promontory offers a panorama over Grande-Terre; further on, a viewpoint opens onto the two falls « when the weather is clear ». You then cross a wooden bridge over the Grand Carbet river, then turn left toward the viewpoint of the second fall, before returning the same way.
A key point, missing from many guides: access to the foot of the 2nd fall is banned to the public because of the risk of rockfall, under municipal order no. 2011-99 of Capesterre-Belle-Eau of July 19, 2011, the Park reminds visitors. You watch the waterfall from the platform. Near the welcome point, the sheet mentions restrooms and a picnic area.
The first fall: the demanding hike
The official sheet describes the waters of the Carbet river that « plunge from 125 meters high over three tiers ». The route starts like the one to the 2nd fall, then continues straight on at the intersection (a detour of about 30 minutes lets you go and see the 2nd fall and come back). The trail climbs and crosses many wooden boardwalks, before a « steep climb », then descends to the Longueteau ravine, which you must cross.
The Park’s instruction is clear: do not set out if it rained the day before or if bad weather is forecast; if the water rises, do not try to cross and wait for it to drop. Beyond, the trail narrows to the foot of the first fall, where the Park mentions orange-tinted pools suitable for a picnic. Return by the same route.
The third fall: trail closed
The third fall is reached by a different access, from Capesterre-Belle-Eau via the D3 toward Routhiers and Petit Marquisat, to the end of the road. The Park states that as of June 29, 2026, following the breaking of the observation platform’s railing and a tree falling on the parking-lot shelter, the trail is closed; its reopening depends on works. Even when open, access to the foot of the waterfall remains banned (municipal order no. 18/152 of October 18, 2018). Check the trail status on the Park’s website before going.
Access and parking
For the 1st and 2nd falls, the Park gives the following route: on the RN1, from Saint-Sauveur (between « Bananier » and the town of Capesterre-Belle-Eau), turn toward Chutes du Carbet, then follow the RD4, a « steep and winding » road. Pass the Grand Étang car park and continue to the end of the road. Start coordinates published by the Park: 16.04198° N, 61.63822° W.
The car parks are unattended: do not leave anything visible in the car. The Park mentions no bus line to the site; it refers to two carpooling apps (Dépozé and Karos). Without a car, the site is therefore hard to reach: see our page on car rental in Guadeloupe.
Renting a car or booking a guided outing
Two practical options: a rental car to reach the visitor area via the RD4, or an outing with a mountain guide, which the Park recommends for the demanding routes in the area (for example to the La Citerne hut). Before booking, check the trail status on the Park’s website: an outing sold to the 3rd fall cannot take place while the trail is closed.
Best time: rain and light
The real constraint is rain: it makes the ford of the Longueteau ravine dangerous and the trails slippery. For seasons, see our page on the best time to visit Guadeloupe. As for light, for the neighboring La Citerne trail the Park advises not to set out after 3 pm, « night falls very quickly at certain times of year ». The table below shows why.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6:37 am | 5:54 pm | 11 h 17 min |
| February | 6:31 am | 6:09 pm | 11 h 38 min |
| March | 6:14 am | 6:16 pm | 12 h 02 min |
| April | 5:51 am | 6:21 pm | 12 h 30 min |
| May | 5:36 am | 6:29 pm | 12 h 53 min |
| June | 5:34 am | 6:39 pm | 13 h 05 min |
| July | 5:42 am | 6:42 pm | 13 h 00 min |
| August | 5:51 am | 6:30 pm | 12 h 40 min |
| September | 5:54 am | 6:08 pm | 12 h 14 min |
| October | 5:58 am | 5:45 pm | 11 h 47 min |
| November | 6:09 am | 5:32 pm | 11 h 23 min |
| December | 6:26 am | 5:37 pm | 11 h 11 min |
The sun sets between 5:32 and 6:42 pm depending on the month, and day length varies from 11 h 11 min to 13 h 05 min. Under the forest it is dark well before sunset: for the 1st fall (about 3 h), set out in the morning.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Setting out for the 1st fall after a rainy night: the Park explicitly advises against it.
- Crossing the barriers to go down to the foot of the 2nd fall: it is banned by municipal order.
- Planning on the 3rd fall without checking: the trail has been closed since June 29, 2026.
- Leaving belongings in the car: the car parks are unattended.
- Setting out in the afternoon for a long outing: night falls early in the tropics.
What to see nearby
- La Soufrière: the volcano of Basse-Terre.
- Les Saintes: the archipelago off Basse-Terre.
- Marie-Galante: visible from the promontory in very clear weather.
- Pointe-à-Pitre: the island’s main city.
- Map of Guadeloupe: locate Capesterre-Belle-Eau.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim at the foot of the Carbet Falls?
Not at the 2nd fall: access to its foot is banned by municipal order no. 2011-99 of Capesterre-Belle-Eau. The foot of the 3rd fall is also banned. The 1st fall’s sheet mentions a picnic by the pools, with no mention of swimming.
How long does it take to reach the 2nd Carbet fall?
The Guadeloupe National Park gives about 1 h 30 for 1.4 km (0.9 mi) round trip and 71 m (233 ft) of climb.
Is the 1st Carbet fall open?
The route is published by the Park (4.8 km / 3 mi round trip, 504 m / 1,654 ft of climb, about 3 h), with a warning: do not set out if it rained the day before, because of the ford at the Longueteau ravine.
Can you reach the 3rd Carbet fall?
No: according to the Park, the trail has been closed since June 29, 2026, pending works.
Is there an entrance fee for the Carbet Falls?
The Park’s sheets publish no price. Third-party sites mention an access fee for the visitor area, with differing amounts: ask on site.
Are the Carbet Falls wheelchair accessible?
The Park states that the panoramic promontory can be reached by visitors with reduced mobility, but not the trail to the falls.
Our sources
- Guadeloupe National Park, Geotrek hiking sheets « 1ère Chute du Carbet », « 2ème Chute du Carbet », « 3ème Chute du Carbet », « Liaison 3ème – 2ème Chute du Carbet » and « Refuge de La Citerne depuis l’aire d’accueil Carbet », geotrek.guadeloupe-parcnational.fr, consulted on 27 October 2026
- Sunrise, sunset and day length: Destination de Voyage calculation, NOAA solar algorithm, America/Guadeloupe time zone, coordinates of the start of the falls (Guadeloupe National Park), on the 15th of each month (year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices, hours and access rules may change: check the official website before you go.
