Rock passages
Behind the falls.
Krosto — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fährtenleser — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sebastian Reategui — CC0
One of Ecuador's most powerful and famous waterfalls, where the Verde River thunders through a narrow rocky gorge, dropping tens of metres into a basin boiling with foam and spray, hence its name, «the Devil's Cauldron». Dense green forest surrounds it on the Andes' eastern slopes toward the Amazon. You go down a stone path through the forest, then cross suspension bridges overlooking the falls; the highlight is narrow stairs and passages cut into the rock behind and beside the falls, so close you can almost touch the roaring water as the spray soaks you. The falls sit on the «Route of the Waterfalls» between Baños and the Amazon forests, where waterfalls follow one another on both sides of the valley; many ride it downhill by bike from Baños or in open trucks, stopping at cable cars over the valley. You will get wet, so bring a rain jacket and non-slip shoes. The stairs are slippery and narrow, so walk carefully.
Behind the falls.
Over the gorge.
By bike.
Río Verde village, on the Route of the Waterfalls, about 18 km east of Baños
By bike downhill on the waterfall route about 18 km, or by bus or open truck, then a half-hour walk through the forest.