Over on Koh Kood, a brand new road has laid bare the secret of the third Koh Kood waterfall, Huang Nam Keaw. Previously impossible to find, the stuff of legends and bragging rights, you can now drive all the way to its top.
Waterfalls at Klong Chao and Klong Yai Kee
The number one waterfall on Koh Kood is inland at Klong Chao and can be easily tracked down by taking the little road that skirts the river as far as PD Guesthouse and its new neighbour, the popular hangout spot, Bartist. Once here, take a left and continue on for a few hundred metres until you reach the walking bit.
The second waterfall is located at Klong Yai Kee and involves a motorbike ride up the north west coast, heading either for Klong Mad or Ao Salad and then following the signs for the falls or the resort, Bann Makok.
Both waterfalls have unattended parking and visitor areas which have seen better days, but they are free to visit. The gentle if unspectacular drops at the end, complete with their small plunge pools, make a fine place to relax and take in the stillness of the forest.
The new road to the 3rd Koh Kood Waterfall
The third waterfall, Huang Nam Keaw, lies in the centre of the island, in the same forest as the wonderful ancient trees, Sai Yai and Makayuk. Head for the main road which runs from the north west to the north east (Ao Salud) and keep going until you see the sign (and straight-on option) at the small store on the bend.
A little along here, the wide road towards the trees is obvious enough and before long, Sai Yai, is first up on your right. Beyond it, there used to be a narrow forest trail that led to the second tree, Makayuk.
For those in the know, this was the start of the hour long trek to the secret waterfall, hence its myth. Suffice to say, very very few people ever actually got there, despite what they may have claimed.
Well, the powers that be have put that right by widening the main path which leads to the Makayuk fork and then going one step further beyond this, by constructing a magnificently unnecessary almost two lane gravel highway.
This twists and turns for an absolute age through the forest, until emerging upon an equally magnificently unnecessary visitor centre and parking lot, fit for daily numbers up there with a Bangkok shopping mall.
You can walk down steep steps to the waterfall itself and then clamber up over the boulders to get to the plunge pool. Though the falls are most probably dry, there is a great view out over the canopy.
The small restaurant serves drinks all day, you can also stay at the back.
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