Erawan National Park is home to an impressive 7-tiered waterfall spread over a 2-kilometer hiking trail. Each waterfall has its own character and appearance. The limestone cliffs cause the water to take on distinct colors and the falling water causes interesting rock formations to form. There are also a number of unnamed waterfalls along the trail which seem quite legitimate in their own right but don’t seem to count toward the official count of seven waterfalls. Swimming is permitted along the trail and you will see many locals and tourists picnicking and relaxing by the falls on the lower levels (food isn’t allowed above level 2).
The first waterfall, is a short, flat 500 meter walk from the visitors center. Our 3-year old daughter easily walked it and the trial is nicely paved. The catch pool is divided into two sections by a natural “wall.” There are food stalls and restrooms nearby and plenty of space to have a picnic.
The second waterfall is one of the funnest to swim in. You can swim right behind the fall and climb up onto a rock ledge behind the curtain of water. This is the last waterfall where food is permitted and the last bathrooms on the trail are located nearby.
The third waterfall has the most impressive drops. You have to take a short detour off the main trail to reach it, but it’s totally worth it for these views. The catch pool is easy to access for swimming.
The fourth waterfall is popular because of the unique curved rocks that the water cascades over. You are sure to see many people sliding down the rocks into the water below and you may just be tempted to try the thrilling experience yourself.
The fifth waterfall is a multi-level cascade where the water rolls over several small drops making for a beautiful view.
The sixth waterfall is a short detour off of the trail as well. You will have to climb a step of (quite rickety) steps to get to the waterfall. You’ll often see a few visitors climbing the rocks and enjoying the waterfall. This waterfall is much less busy than the lower levels.
If you make it to level 7, you can feel victorious. The top tier is reached by a strenuous hike. The section from 6-7 is especially difficult. I was surprised to see how many people were at the fall. It is very nice for swimming, do despite the difficult hike, it’s rarely quiet.