Jamaica is known as the land of wood and water and it is also famously mountainous. Within this amazing terrain lie many natural attractions. Some of the more popular ones are not far off from the highways, but there are some that are considerable distances from the main thoroughfare.  Kwame Falls lie in the latter category, and for me, reaching to the spot was a lesson in endurance surpassed only by a hike many years ago (that I often try to forget), to the Blue Mountain Peak, the highest point on the Island.

Kwame Falls is named after Kwame or Quamin, a Coromantee slave leader from the West Coast of Africa in the late 1700's.  As the story goes, Kwame (in similar fashion to what the more famous Tacky spectacularly did 5 years earlier) staged a revolt in St. Mary, and thereafter fled.  Whether he took refuge near this Falls while on the run from the British or not, it was named in his honour.

A trek to Kwame falls begins at the western end of Robbins Bay, just beyond the beautiful property called Strawberry Fields. It is at this point that the motor car, truck or bus would have to yield to a rugged terrain best suited for hiking boots or ATVs.

The route to Kwame Falls is quite scenic and the vegetation, lush.  The month of March usually falls within the dry season in most of the country but St. Mary (and neighbouring Portland) with its many rivers, fed by year round rainfall is truly an exception. A great deal of the journey ran along the coast, which was several hundred meters below us.  At several points along the way, one had to be careful of any missteps as it could realistically be their last. On route we crossed 5 rivers, though we could have actually been on an awful trail, hop-scotching over a single meandering mess of a river – but I doubt it.

At the point where we were so close to the falls that we could hear the forceful sound of the water splashing below, the group splintered into two smaller groups.  The larger group held course along the river bed, and the smaller, of which I was a part, went up on the hillside above the river, as it seemed less arduous.  In retrospect, I don’t know how I arrived at a conclusion that losing my footing on some wet rocks while walking in the river bed would have lesser consequences than rolling 60 feet off a hill on to those same rocks. Nevertheless my gamble paid off as my equipment and I reached the falls in one piece.

While not a large falls, and certainly less majestic than nearby Tacky falls, I had a feeling of elation upon seeing Kwame Falls.  Now, some would say it is plain looking because of the absence of a multitude of smaller cascades, however, I thought it was really beautiful and interesting in form. 

Having obtained all the shots we could have possibly taken over a period of about 1 ½ hours, we gathered our belongings to set out on the return leg of the hike.   Usually, one would assume that the return would be much easier, but not in this case.  You see, the hike to Kwame falls actually consists of two separate climbs and descents, in the middle of which lies a scenic little bay. Upon our return, after passing this bay, we were faced with steep gradients which before were welcoming descents that we did not remember about – the terrain truly made no sense. Needless to say, by the time we got back to the tour bus we could not have been more relieved.  We had completed our journey and only had the task that coming week of healing our sore muscles.

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Information about Kwame Falls
written by Nasha Wilson , March 25, 2012

I loved the story and pics of Kwame Falls. I would love to use your pictures on a research I am doing on waterfalls so I am asking your permission. I would need your signature to show that I gained permission so if there is any way I can fax you the permission slip please let me know. I would also like to know where you receive the information about this beautiful waterfall. Thank you

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