Erin Ijesha Waterfall is one of the popular waterfalls in Nigeria. Erin Ijesha is a seven-step waterfall located in the heart of Osun State. It is 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.
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.
About the Waterfall
Erin Ijesha waterfall is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Nigeria. It is less than a kilometre from the express. No wonder it is one of the most visited waterfalls in Nigeria.
Erin Ijesha Waterfall is one of the many natures gifts to Nigeria. It is one of the many natural wonders of the world in Nigeria. The first floor is usually less populated with water gushing down from the top. It is the favourite destination for people scared of height and does not want to engage in the endurance trek. It has seven different falls, the second level is the largest with water gushing down from over 40 metres from the top of the mountain. The Erin Ijesha waterfall is the definition of natures beauty.
Erin Ijesha has seven stages and three waterfalls, the seventh level is not a waterfall but host the source of the waterfall. Every moment at this waterfall is worth the experience.
Erin Ijesha is one of the most visited waterfalls in Nigeria with over one hundred thousand visitors yearly.
As you make way into Erin Ijesha Waterfall, you are surrounded by gigantic mountains, beautiful sceneries and tall trees. The trees are so tall it looks like they are all competing with one another. As you walk along its stairs, you are ushered into the venue by traditional entertainers singing, chanting and beating the talking drums.
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The Different Levels at the Waterfalls
There are seven different levels at Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, the first and the second levels are the easiest.
The 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.
The 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. During rainy seasons, the waterfall on the second floor forms a shallow pool where fun lovers can swim.
The 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 through 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.
Opening Hours AT Erin Ijesha
Erin Ijesha Waterfalls opens from 7 am to 6 pm daily. It opens Mondays to Sundays including public holidays.
History of Erin Ijesha waterfalls
There are many conflicting stories about the history of Erin Ijesha Waterfalls (Olumirin Waterfalls). The first one states that it was discovered many centuries ago by the daughter of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race.
Another school of thought believed that it was discovered by hunters who were on a hunting adventure. On sighting this beautiful waterfall, they thought it was another god and named it Olumirin (another deity). It is a collection of seven different cascades which pours over a cliff creating an impressive seven-part waterfall.
Location of Olumirin Waterfalls (Erin Ijesha Waterfalls)
It is located at Erin Oke, Oriade Local Government Area in Erin Ijesha, Osun State.
How to Get to Erin Ijesha Waterfall from Lagos
Board a bus from Oshodi, Ojota or Berger going to Ilesha in Osun State. It is about a 4 to 5-hour journey from Lagos. When you get to Ilesha, board another bus going to Erin Ijesha. Please note the Erin is pronounced (hey-rin). Inform the driver that you are going to the waterfall. You can either take a walk or hop on a bike which will take you to your destination.
From Other States in Nigeria
Find your way to Ilesha in Osun State, then take a bus going to Erin ijesha or drive down to Erin Ijesha in Osun State.
Coming From the Abroad
Find your way to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Charter a car to Erin Ijesha (it will take about 4 to 5 hours).
Tips When Visiting Erin Ijesha Waterfall
1. Beware of the rocks
2. Wear something comfortable.
3. Wear a gripping shoe
4. If you have a phobia for height do not attempt to go past the first or second level.
5. Hold enough cash, they do not accept transfers nor do they have POS machines.
Things to Bring
- Change of clothing: This trip requires a change of clothing.
- Bottled Water: You will require some packs of drinking water, once you start the journey there will be nowhere else to buy water.
- Face towel: You are going to be needing this
- Power bank: You do not want to end up with a dead phone. Ensure your phones are fully charged.
- Swimming gears: Do not forget your swimming gears.
- Shower caps: This will come in handy for the ladies.
- Snacks: Get enough snacks that will last you for the trip.
Things to do at Erin Ijesha Waterfalls
1. Organize an excursion
2. Enjoy the beautiful scenery
3. Swimming
4. Hiking
5. Bird watching
6. Mountain Climbing
Pictures From Erin Ijesha Waterfall
Other Waterfalls in Nigeria
Owu Waterfalls in Kwara
Assop Waterfalls in POlateau
Arinta Waterfalls in Ekiti
Gurara Waterfalls in Niger State
Farin Ruwa falls in Nassarawa.
Kwa Falls Cross Rivers
Other Tourist Attractions Close to Erin Ijesha Waterfalls
- Ikogosi Warm Springs
- Idanre Hills
- Moremi Statue of Liberty
- The Palace of the Ooni of Ife
- The Staff of Oranmiyan
- Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove
- Obafemi Awolowo University
What are your thoughts on Erin Ijesha waterfalls? Have you been there, how was the experience? If you have not been there, would you like to visit? We plan and arrange tours to all parts of Nigeria.
[…] Erin Ijesha waterfall is by far the most popular waterfall in Nigeria. It is also known as the Olumirin waterfalls. It is a seven-level waterfall with water cascading from a height of over 20 metres. One amazing thing about Erin Ijesha waterfall is, at level one of the waterfall is Osun state but the seventh level which is the source of the waterfall is marked under Ekiti State. The journey to the seventh level is not for the faint-hearted. If you are not physically strong or scared of height, please do not go past the second level. It is within a few metres from the Ilesha Akure expressway in Erin Oke, Erin Ijesha. […]
I would love to visit this waterfall this December holidays! Pray it will worth my time and money!
It is worth it, if you can try make it to the seventh stage
Definitely! I love outdoors! Mountain climbing! May God keep us alive till december! Amen! Thanks for the reply! God Bless You!
I’ve been there before it’s interesting actually but I didn’t go past the first level so I don’t really know much about the other levels
Only adventurous people go past the first level. It is fun all day
Oh it’s a sight to behold, believe me!! I got to the second stage and I think the water there has more force than the first. Climbing to the third stage was quite scary so I stopped halfway o. It’s a place you will love to visit over and over. Though it’s surrounded with trees and bushes, it still have that deep smell of nature’s evergreen leaves with the sounds of crickets and flowing waters. I love it!
Wow that was an amazing experience. Yes climbing the third stage is pretty scary and its an adventure for the strong. The seventh stage is a beauty to behold. It will wow you.
This brings back many memories of visiting Erin Ijesha Waterfalls while I was at Olashore. Thanks for this!
Glad you found this interesting. It is a lovely place and the memories are out of this world.
Great work!
You didn’t talk about accommodation around though for those that wouldn’t be able to travel back that day
It doesn’t have an accommodation option. You would have to get a hotel close by