Erin Ijesha Waterfall — Attraction in Osun State

This tourist center is so fantabulous

Trip to Erin ijesha waterfalls

By Sebastian Idama

Erin Ijesha is a seven-step waterfall located in the heart of Osun State. It is one of the many beautiful tourist attraction in Nigeria. Erin Ijesha waterfall is located in Southwest Nigeria. The name Erin Ijesha can be loosely translated as the Elephant of Ijesha. At the top of the hill on the seventh floor is the source of the water and the ancient Abake Village.

erin Ijesha waterfalls Olumirin Waterfalls as it is known by the locals derived its name from the fact that it has seven levels. Each of the levels gives tourists a new and different experience.

My Different Levels at the Waterfalls There are seven different levels at Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, the first and the second levels are the easiest.

My First Level The First Floor and second floors have a lovely waterfall. The first waterfall is about 20 metres long. It is one of the most beautiful scenes you’d ever see with steady water gushing down from the top of the rock.

waterfalls in osun nigeria My Second Level The second floor involves climbing the stairs to an elevated part of the mountain which hosts the second waterfall. It is a little bit hidden which gives it some form of privacy. The water gushing from this waterfall is more compared to the one on the first floor.

My Third Level The third floor is one of the most difficult to climb. If you are not an adventurer, your journey would probably end at the second waterfall. The second waterfall at Erin Ijesha is located on the second floor. The third level has no waterfall, it is a rough path with no stairs, you have to find your way through the rubbles using both your hand and legs. Climbing through the ridges is one of the most difficult parts of getting to the third floor. To do a successful climb, you will need to support yourself with the roots and stem of plants to get to the fourth level.

The third floor is the most difficult part. It is not a journey for the fainthearted. It’s one of my most adventurous hiking experience. I have hiked Olumo rock in Abeokuta, Arinta waterfalls Ekiti, Idanre Hills Ondo etc. Erin Ijesha is the most difficult and interesting. If you want to have a feel of Erin Ijesha waterfall, its terrain, culture, tradition, people and history, you should make this climb.

4th, 5th and 6th Level The fourth, fifth and sixth floors are not as challenging as the third, you just have to walk about an hour through the bushes and forest to get to the apex.

The Seventh Level The seventh floor is the reward for your tenacity and labour, it serves as a host to an ancient community and it is also the source of the Erin Ijesha waterfall. The village has been in existence almost as far back as the discovery of Olumirin waterfalls. Another motivation is if you successfully make this journey. You would have successfully walked from Osun State to Ekiti State. The Abake village is under Ekiti state.

The seventh floor is the peak, it is one of the most beautiful views ever. The hiking takes between 45 minutes to 2 hours to get to the peak of Erin Ijesha.

Erin Ijesha waterfalls is a combination of Hills, Valleys, rocks, lush green vegetation and one of the most beautiful waterfalls. The vegetation is preserved like it was since it was first discovered by the princess of Ile Ife. Apart from the stairs and mini bridges that have been added to this place to make climbing easy. Erin Ijesha has maintained its original state for many centuries.

My personal encounter with the people around the 7th mountain

The people in the community are generous and accommodating as various people in Nigeria come here to buy and sell. Erin people can be accommodating to a fault. They are are also liberal but highly principled.

Things to be aware of when visiting the tourist center

Beware of the rocks

Wear something comfortable.

Wear a gripping shoe

If you have a phobia for height do not attempt to go past the first or second level.

Hold enough cash, they do not accept transfers nor do they have...

GENERAL OVERVIEW

It's a very beautiful place. Nature at its best. I had so much fun and it is a good place for burning a lot of calories and keeping fit.

CONS It is underdeveloped. The mountain climbing is extremely dangerous and should only be undertaken by competent individuals and certainly not whilst it's raining. There are no standby tour guides or emergency health services in case someone slips whilst climbing. The waterfall area is also dangerous and slippery and there are no lifeguards on duty incase someone is drowning. There is no standard entry fee payment spot and altercations always occur between tourists and locals manning the entrance because of whom to pay to.

SUGGESTION I feel like the state government could do more to enhance the experience and ensure maximum safety for all tourists.

PROS and ADVICE ON PREPARING FOR THE TRIP It was a wonderful experience and you should totally go with a group of friends. At least 4 people. Also, don't forget to take some water along while mountain climbing. You'll get dehydrated from the 4th or fifth level and there's no going back at that point. You could also take your woofer so you could have music on your climbing trip. Makes it more enjoyable. Loose any extra bags as they are going to be a hindrance during climbing. -If you're a lady, be sure to go with a hair band to pack up your hair and a shower cap if you intend entering under the waterfall. Also wear shoes or slips that have very good sole grips. You don't want to slip and break something. Do not pay at the first entrance. Payment is to be made at the second entrance under a shed. Paying at the first entrance could mean double payment. Children and sick people should not go past the 3rd step as the climbing becomes more dangerous and difficult afterwards. Tour guides charge #2000 to direct you and show you around if you can afford it but they are literally not useful if you're going with a group of friends. You might want to go with food or snacks for a little picnic afterwards. Have a...

I love nature and adventure. yesterday being 14th Feb. 2022, I and my 3 friends visited The OLUMIRIN WATERFALL also known as ERIN IJESHA WATERFALL, because it is located at Erin IJesha community, Oriade LGA, Osun state, Nigeria.

At the entrance you will have to obtain a ticket which could be a thousand naira depends on the season you're visiting there for the price could be lower ordinary time and increase during festive periods. You will have to buy snacks and drinks at the gate for that's the only place things are sold except for suya spot inside the premises under the trees with tiny huts made with sandcrete blocks and rocks pieces.

The waterfall has about 3 stages of fall. Each of them is high and difficult to reach because there are no man made vertical movement aided facilities. One has to climb up the steepy mountain fill with large rock. Inside the fountain, there are metallic rocks. I enjoyed myself with nature. I brought home some of the rocks shinning like metal.

The water is so cold that it could be 5°f or less. The water comes out of the rock, flows and falls to a depth of about 20 meters deep each it falls flows, again falls flows and falls And so on. When you are climbing up to first fall, which is actually the last, you will begin to hear different sound of water movement. Some bubbling sound, some like whistle, some like 🥁 drum and so on.

It is said that when one climbs to the top of the mountain, one will have to write one's name on the rock but to climb to the top needs alot of encouragement and determination. I couldn't climb to the climb yesterday being 14th Feb. 2022. But I know some day I would.

It is said that Erin IJesha waterfall is a place where miracle happens because people come there to pray, and receive breakthrough. When you are in the water, you stretch forth your hands and ask for a breakthrough of any kind, be sure your prayers...