Hidden Valley Falls (1000 Ft Falls)
Belize Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve: This is the only pine forest in all of Central America. It is one of Belize’s greatest natural assets providing endless opportunities for adventure. Enveloped by jagged mountain ranges and chilly crystalline rivers coursing over marbled boulders, this enchanted forest shelters a cornucopia of unusual flora and fauna.
You will smell cool pine-scented air as you walk trails doused with bromeliads, delicate orchids and mossy ferns. Hike narrow clay pathways layered with pine needles, fallen leaves and intertwining vines weaving stealthily around timbered turf.
Amidst the dramatic vegetation, are rare birds and animals including the he Baird’s tapir (the national animal of Belize). From top to bottom, patches of dense forest are surrounded by natural beauty. Pristine waterfalls, intricate cave networks and a maze of hiking trails creates an impressive setting for adventure. You can travel to the highest point of the mountains and get a panoramic view of the reserve.
Popular attractions at the reserve include the Hidden Valley Falls (or 1000-ft Falls). The Rio Frio Cave and the Rio On Pools. Even the great Mayan Archeological Site of Caracol is near by at the foot of the Mayan Mountains.
Big Rock Falls
Big Rock Falls
This is another exciting water fall located in the Belize Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. 150 feet high, it plummets into a deep and perfectly rounded pool at the base of the fall. The pool is very deep enabling visitors to climb up the big granite rocks on the side and dive in. En route to the fall you would hear the tumbling waters echoing through the valley from about 1 ½ miles away.
The falls is located on the Belize Privassion River which is one of several tributaries in the lower basin of the parent Macal River in Western Belize. Here the streams are arranged radically to feed the main steam; principal lower basin rivers that flows into the Macal River are the Privassion, Rio On, Rio Frio and Mollejon.
(Note: Getting here involves hiking over slippery rocks and a deep decent to the base of the falls. You should be in relatively good physical condition).