Cascada el Pailón del Diablo, Natural waterfall in Baños Canton, Ecuador
Cascada el Pailón del Diablo is a waterfall system in a rocky valley that drops down multiple tiers over steep cliffs. The water flows through narrow gorges along the Rio Pastaza and forms deep pools between stone faces.
The area was known only to local hunters and traders until the 1990s when initial trails were built. These early paths transformed an isolated natural site into an accessible place for visitors.
Locals named this waterfall Devil's Cauldron after spotting a skull shape in the rock formations where water crashes down. For many people in the region, the place holds spiritual meaning tied to the power of nature.
The site has two different entrances offering different experiences: a more modern route with viewing platforms and a traditional path with suspension bridges. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and exercise caution on wet rocks, as the paths can be slippery.
The waterfall system feeds directly into the largest river network in South America, meaning water from here eventually flows into the Amazon. This connection makes the place part of one of the world's most important waterways.
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