Falling Edge Waterfalls: A Guide To Kingston’s Secret Waterfall
Falling Edge Waterfalls: A Guide To Kingston’s Secret Waterfall
Tucked away in the chilly, tranquil hills of Stony Hill; Falling Edge Waterfalls, also called the Bowden Hill Falls, is a majestic cascading waterfall that lies just 30 minutes outside Kingston city. The hidden escape has gained more popularity over the years but still remains relatively secluded enough that it isn’t uncommon to see little to no other visitors there on your trip, especially if you go there during the week or early on the weekends.
Related: Konoko Falls and Park, St Ann, Jamaica
How To Get There
Getting to the attraction takes some effort and is a bit of a bumpy ride.
The 3o minute drive from Manor Park sees you driving up the hill and taking the slight right turn at the stoplight to head towards Stony Hill Road.
Continuing straight, head towards the Stony Hill square.
Once you arrive at the square, take the right turn by Tastee Patties and proceed along the road
Continue along until you see a turn off to go to Airy Castle Road
Keep going pass Boone Hall Oasis and Straun Castle Garden
From here, there are a few signs which help you along the way
Follow the road and the signs until you reach Bowden Hill Primary & Infant School
Google is actually a very good help for most of the journey. NB It does stop short of the actual waterfall destination so you will have to continue driving beyond the point that Google tells you that you’ve arrived. But don’t worry it is one straight road after that point so just continue driving until you see the primary school. And if you feel lost, you can always ask a local.
Also, I should point out that the road to the actual waterfall is pretty bad so a SUV of 4-wheel drive/ off-roading vehicle would be best to travel in.
The Trek
Once you arrive, the waterfall is denoted by a fenced off area that usually has someone manning the entrance. There is an entrance fee of $500 which I’m told is to use to fix up the place. I told them they needed more signs and better roads and I was informed they were working on that as well.
To get to the actual waterfall is about a 20-30 minute walk through the woods, encircled by gorgeous flora and fauna providing you with shade and keeping you cool while you walk. Comfortable shoes is definitely needed because the place can get really muddy. Especially, because the area receives a lot of rainfall annually. The path itself is pretty straightforward but I advise packing light as there are some areas which maybe a bit narrow and see you moving across slippery rocks so you don’t want anything to be holding you back or weighing you down. There are one or 2 signs along the way to help you stay on track.
The sound of the water passing over rocks gets louder the closer you get to the waterfall. It acts as a gentle assurance that you are almost there. And once you make it, you have a glorious feeling of victory and the tingling of excitement to say you made it,
Falling Edge Waterfall cascades down a steep hill side approximately 40 feet above where it pours into a refreshing natural pool below. The heavenly stream of water is surrounded by lush greenery making the place feel even more tranquil and soothing to the soul.
Related: Breadnut Valley Falls, Jamaica
The Experience
A cool dip is just what I needed to escape the scorching hot summer sun that has been hailing hell fire and damnation at us these past few months. The gentle caress of the cold water washes your skin as you enter the pool. But don’t worry, it doesn’t take too long for your body to acclimatize to the water. It is relatively shallow at the entrance to the pool to about half the width of the pool, but it gets deeper the closer you get to the waterfall. You can feel the pelting of the waterfall on your body if you choose to stand underneath it, it feels like a mini massage.
I was actually surprised that when I arrived it was relatively empty and refreshingly quiet. Only one other family was there and they looked like they were on the tail end of their day trip. Especially in these covid times, I revel in the places of seclusion. I love having places of adventure to myself. As the day got later however, more groups started to arrive and it was at this point I made my exit.
Note: There are no bathrooms or changing rooms on site so walk with your swimsuits already on if you intend to swim.
What To Bring For A Day At A Hidden Waterfall:
Bug spray or Repellent
Proper Footwear for hiking
Water
Swimsuit
Sunscreen
Food & drink is allowed
Good Vibes
Insider tip: On the other side of the parking lot is the Hermitage Dam. You can always ask a guide or community member to take you on the path there. It is another 20-30 minute walk but the view is wonderful. For those of you who are unfamiliar, The Hermitage Dam is one of the major reservoirs in Jamaica that provides useable waters in the homes of citizens.
Overall
I really enjoyed my little day adventure to Falling Edge Waterfall. It was a much needed respite from the world and a perfect time to reconnect with myself and nature.
