The World’s 100 Best Waterfalls

A wide curtain of cascades spreads across a river in rainforest, ending in a deep gorge that throws spray into the air. Buses run from Puerto Iguazu and downtown Foz do Iguaçu to the park entrance, then internal trains or buses reach the falls.

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A 90 to 100 foot drop over red cliffs sends blue-green water into a series of plunge pools in the Grand Canyon. Reaching it takes an 8 to 10 mile hike, or a helicopter or mule, with reservations.

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A curtain of water made of many streams pours down green cliffs in Lumajang's Pronojiwo area, with mountains behind. Visitors reach it by a steep descent of stairs and paths from the car park.

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The 979-metre fall drops 807 metres in free fall from the cliffs of Auyantepui, a tabletop mountain in Canaima National Park. Visitors fly in by small plane or helicopter, or travel by boat up the Carrao and Churun rivers, then walk through forest.

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Dozens of waterfalls pour down green cliffs into a lagoon, surrounded by lush forest. A rocky path leads from the free car park in about 15 to 20 minutes.

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A waterfall of roughly 85 to 90 metres drops into a canyon framed by layered rock walls, with dark water pooling at its base. Visitors must hire a local guide, then walk about 3 km of trail to reach it.

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A curtain of water 1.7 kilometres wide, the Zambezi River plunges more than 100 metres into the Batoka Gorge under permanent mist. Visitors walk to viewpoints on either the Zimbabwe or Zambia side, crossing the border bridge between them.

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Tiered turquoise pools fall through jungle over limestone rock, with clear water running between the levels. Visitors reach it by motorbike taxi from Labuan Aji, about 20 minutes, or by walking about an hour.

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A 226-metre single drop over a sandstone cliff on the Potaro River, surrounded by Amazon rainforest. Small planes from Georgetown's Ogle airport fly there in about an hour, or a land trek reaches it.

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A waterfall of about 190 to 200 feet drops into a turquoise pool in Havasu Canyon, with red cliffs and green plants around it. The hike from Hualapai Hilltop is about 11 miles, and the final descent uses chains and ladders.

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A multi-tiered cascade with a main drop of about 60 metres runs into stepped limestone pools in dense jungle. Visitors reach it by road from Luang Prabang in 45 to 60 minutes, then walk from the car park.

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Tall jungle waterfall plunging into a pool within a steep green gorge. The road from Ubud is narrow and winding, reached by car, then motorbike or stairs.

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A cascade of roughly 100 metres drops off forested cliffs into the Nuranang gorge, its mist often forming rainbows. Reached from NH-13 between Bomdila and Tawang, about 40 km short of Tawang, with a short walk down to the falls.

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A 52-metre curtain of water drops from a rocky overhang into a forested valley, with a smaller upper fall above it. Cars are barred near the falls, so visitors park in Mojstrana and take a shuttle bus or walk about 4.5 km.

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Three falls on the Niagara River, with Horseshoe Falls the largest, drop over a gorge in a constant mist and rainbows. Visitors reach them from the Canadian and American sides of the border, by car or on foot across the Rainbow Bridge.

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A 129-foot waterfall pours over mossy rock and from springs in the cliff face into a deep blue-green pool surrounded by forest. Visitors drive into the state park, then walk a short paved path downhill to the base; weekends may need reservations.

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A river forces through a 7 metre gap in rock and drops about 43 metres, with mist and rainbows around the falls. Visitors reach it by boat up the Nile or on a short walk from the car park.

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Tall waterfall dropping through a narrow gorge between steep cliffs, with a pool at its base and river crossings on the way. Visitors leave the car park by motorbike taxi, then walk the riverside trail with several river crossings.

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Two tiers of the Hvítá River drop into a deep, rugged canyon, with mountains and open landscape around the falls. Visitors reach it by car from Reykjavik on the Golden Circle, parking in a large lot near the rim.

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Seven large waterfalls stand side by side in Aladağlar National Park near Yahyalı, Kayseri, with water gushing from underground streams and rock cracks. The winding road from Yahyalı or Kayseri takes two to three hours, and vehicles can drive up to the falls.

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A drop of about 94 to 96 metres falls like a veil between green cliffs of rock. Visitors reach it by a long dirt road with streams to cross, then a trail, after booking ahead.

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A powerful drop of 20 to 25 metres falls into a shallow pool in forest, with spray soaking nearby visitors. Visitors reach it by taxi or scooter, then walk about 500 steps down, which are steep and tiring to climb back.

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A roughly 400-foot cascade drops through a moss-covered amphitheatre of cliffs into a turquoise plunge pool in Sahyadri forest near Mahad. Visitors reach it by private vehicle to a base village, then a trek of about 45 to 90 minutes.

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A tall curtain of water drops over a limestone cliff into a turquoise river in the Huasteca Potosina. Boats are rowed upstream from the La Morena dock after a short walk from parking.

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Dynjandi is a fan-shaped fall about 100 metres high above a fjord, widening from 30 metres at the top to 60 at the base. Visitors drive Route 60 on a gravel road, then climb past smaller falls to the main one.

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A fall of about 15 metres drops into a pool inside a horseshoe-shaped sandstone canyon, its cave-like walls covered in moss and lichen. Reaching it takes about 20 minutes on a dirt road from Rolante, then a short trail with two river crossings.

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A roaring waterfall drops nearly 200 metres into a narrow gorge, with mountains rising on either side. Visitors reach it from car parks above and below on a rocky walk with stairs and bridges.

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A multi-tiered cascade of about 280 metres falls over limestone cliffs in a curtain of white water, framed by forest in Doi Inthanon National Park. Visitors drive from Chiang Mai, then walk about 600 metres from the car park.

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The falls drop about 30 metres over a rock wall into a river pool in the Serra do Espinhaço hills. Reaching them takes a 16 to 20 km round trip, often starting from a parked car.

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A large pool of clear turquoise water sits below a modest fall, framed by Cerrado vegetation and rock. Visitors drive dirt roads from Cavalcante, then ride a pau de arara truck and walk a short trail.

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A drop of over 100 metres falls into a pool at the end of a narrow canyon cut by the Una River, between tall rock walls. Visitors drive about 30 km from Ibicoara, then walk 9 km each way, mostly over riverbed rocks.

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A waterfall over 100 meters high drops between cerrado-covered rock walls, with clear pools along the trail below it. Visitors drive a dirt road of about 7 km from São Jorge, then walk a shaded trail of 3.5 km each way.

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Two tiers of falling water, the largest over 40 meters, drop into a wide natural pool ringed by rainforest near Dominical. Visitors walk a forest trail of about 3.5 km from the lower car park, or ride a 4x4 truck.

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Multiple rocky tiers carry the Mungabahar River down a forested gorge in Kanger Valley National Park, breaking into white spray at the base. Visitors drive from Jagdalpur to a car park, then walk down a long flight of steps.

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A free-falling drop of about 297 metres from a sheer cliff sends fine spray across pastures in the valley. A flat path from Lauterbrunnen station leads to the falls, then stairs and a tunnel climb to a platform behind them.

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A single drop of about 100 feet falls over a cliff into a jungle river gorge in the mountains of Valencia. Visitors drive up from Dumaguete, park, then walk down concrete steps to the river.

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Glacier-fed water drops through ten cascades inside a rock gorge in the mountain, with narrow tunnels, viewing platforms and cold spray. Visitors reach it by walking about 35 to 55 minutes from Lauterbrunnen, or by bus 141 or car.

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A tall, narrow drop of milky white water falls from rock into the Yoho River valley, surrounded by mountains. A winding mountain road leads to a short, mostly flat walk from the car park.

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A 53-meter fall drops over a rock face into pools in the Vale das Ostras gorge, with dense forest and cliffs around it. Visitors reach it by dirt road and a trail that crosses the river, usually with a guide.

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A 612-metre drop falls steeply down a mountainside beside the road into the Åkrafjorden fjord, with mist and roaring spray at its base. Visitors drive from Haugesund, park by the road, and climb steps to the upper viewpoint.

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A cascade of about 300 feet falls over rock into a bathing pool, with forest and hills around it. Visitors drive the 70 hairpin bends of Kolli Hills, then descend over 1,000 steps from the car park.

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A curtain-like cascade falls over a mossy limestone cliff into a shallow pool, with mist and green forest around it. Visitors leave the car park by motorbike or walk a steep path down.

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Several tiered waterfalls pour from giant rocks and caves into deep cauldrons inside a forested canyon. Visitors drive about 25 km from Düzce or Kaynaşlı, park free near the entrance, then descend steep stairs.

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A low waterfall, about one metre high, drops into an emerald-green pool ringed by cerrado vegetation. Visitors drive a sandy road, ideally in a 4x4, park about 1500 metres away and walk down to the deck.

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A wide waterfall drops about 60 metres over old sea cliffs, its spray hanging over a river on the flat coastal plain. Visitors park in a paid car park and walk a few minutes to the base or climb steps to a viewpoint above.

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Turquoise water cascades down several tiers of rock, with a large swimming pool at the base and green forest around the falls. Most visitors arrive by motorbike from Moalboal or Oslob, then park and walk down a short flight of stairs.

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A 35 metre waterfall drops over a cliff into forest, wide and full after rain, with rainbows in the mist. Reached by a winding road from Waitomo Caves, then a 5 to 10 minute walk through bush.

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Cascading water drops down steep rock through forested slopes, with spray reaching the paths below. Visitors park at lot P4 or P5, pay the entrance fee, then climb a paved trail or take a taxi.

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A tall fall with an infinity-edge pool at its top, set in a green valley ringed by mountains. Reaching it means a dirt road of about 37 km from Baependi, then a roughly 1 km trail from the parking area.

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A tiered waterfall drops over a rocky cliff into a river gorge, framed by green slopes and canyon walls. Visitors park on the road, climb over the guardrail, and descend steep red-arrow paths for about 15 to 25 minutes.

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The 98-metre waterfall drops from the Utiariti River into a wide pool, with forest covering the valley around it. Visitors reach it by a long dirt road that most cars manage, passing through an indigenous village.

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A 141-metre drop of the Murtle River plunges into a volcanic rock canyon, ringed by dense forest in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Visitors park and walk a short paved path to the viewing platform, or hike the rim trail from Dawson Falls.

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A tall, powerful waterfall falls through dense Valdivian rainforest on a mountain stream, surrounded by lush green trees. Visitors drive to a parking area, then walk about 300 meters on stairs, wooden bridges and river crossings.

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A waterfall of 80 to 90 metres falls over rock into a green basin, ringed by native forest of ferns and ulmo trees. Visitors walk 30 minutes to 1.5 hours down a steep, rooted trail from a car park reached by gravel road.

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A large limestone cliff waterfall where the Klong Tho stream drops down a steep face, surrounded by lush forest. Visitors reach it by 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle from Umphang, then walk 1.5 km on a paved path.

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A 186-metre free fall, the first waterfall on the São Francisco River, sits amid green Serra da Canastra National Park. Access is through gate 4 by dirt road and short trail; the upper part needs a 4x4.

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The Merced River drops vertically down a granite wall into a pool, spray creating mist and rainbows over the trail. Visitors reach it by Mist Trail from Happy Isles or Curry Village, a paved path to a footbridge, then steep stone steps.

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Multiple cascades merge into one wide curtain of water falling about 50 metres over rock, framed by forest and tea plantations near Welimada. Visitors reach it by a walk of roughly 2 km from the car park, climbing concrete steps at the start.

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A waterfall of about 400 feet drops from a cliff in the Himalayas, with snow peaks behind it and the Alaknanda River below. Visitors reach it by a 5 to 6 km trek from Mana village, the last village in India.

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A tall waterfall drops in three tiers from a cave in the cliff into the Suárez River canyon, seen through rock windows. The unpaved road from Puente Nacional through Jesús María suits 4x4 vehicles.

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A drop of about 90 metres from an extinct volcano crater, with mist and spray around the base and a forest garden along the path. Reached by a paved road from Rio Cuarto, then a forest path and about 450 steps down.

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Dettifoss is a 44-metre waterfall on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, 100 metres wide, pouring over a basalt cliff into a grey-rock canyon. Route 862 from the west is paved and ends at a car park, then a walk of 1.5 km.

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The waterfall drops about 20 metres over rocky cliffs, roughly 4 metres wide, below misty mountains and tea estates. Visitors reach it by a rough road, with the final stretch walked or covered by safari jeep.

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A roughly 50-metre fall on the Tortum River drops in a wide cascade, with spray that soaks visitors at its base. Visitors reach it from the Erzurum-Artvin road, park at the entrance, then take stairs and trails down to the falls.

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A 130-foot cascade splits into two tiers over moss-covered rock in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near the Columbia River Gorge. A short, steep trail from a gravel pullout on a narrow forest road leads to upper and lower viewpoints.

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A wide cascading falls on a river has smaller falls and rapids above it, set in woods near a reservoir. Visitors park in a lower lot for a short boardwalk or at the top and walk down stairs.

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A tall waterfall drops down a rocky cliff into a large, clear pool, surrounded by cerrado vegetation. Reaching it requires a 4x4 or a long walk on a rough dirt road, then a trail over rocks.

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A jungle waterfall about 20 metres high and 40 metres wide, with strong flow year-round. The dirt road is rough and unsigned, so visitors often park early and walk the last stretch.

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Freshwater from the Serra do Mar forest drops over rock into a pool that spills into the sea, with boulders and forest around the fall. Visitors reach it by an 8 km round trip trail from Ponta Negra beach.

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A moss-covered drop about six metres high falls from a spring on the slopes of Mount Harun, inside a Hyrcanian forest. A paved road from Aliabad-e Katul ends at a parking lot, and a stepped path climbs from there to the fall.

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A main fall and smaller cascades drop into clear pools in green forest, with rock ledges along the river. A dirt road leads to a small car park, then a short walk along the river.

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Tiu Kelep is a 42-metre waterfall where water pours from a cliff in a broad curtain inside a jungle gorge below Mount Rinjani. Visitors walk about 30 minutes from the Gate 1 car park, past Sendang Gile, crossing a river.

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A voluminous waterfall where the Manso River drops over rock inside alerce forest, with emerald and turquoise water. Visitors reach it by a gravel road of about an hour from the park entrance, then a short wooden walkway.

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Water falls about 45 metres in a wide curtain from the Sacre River, framed by rock and plantation land. A dirt road of about 30 to 40 kilometres leads from Campo Novo do Parecis, reached by car or bus.

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Six waterfalls drop into turquoise pools in a forested river valley. Visitors park across from the main entrance, buy tickets at the booth near Catarata del Toro, and walk steep steps.

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Diyaluma Falls drops 220 metres in tiers over a rock face above the Punagala Oya, visible from the road near Koslanda. Cars cannot reach the trailhead, so visitors take a tuk-tuk up a narrow road, then walk 20 to 25 minutes.

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A 192-metre drop into a gorge near Semonkong, Lesotho, sits among mountains, hills and valleys. Visitors drive a gravel road, often needing a 4x4, then walk 10 to 15 minutes to a lookout.

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A narrow gorge of steep, greenery-covered cliffs holds a shallow river and several small waterfalls, with little water outside the rainy season. Visitors start at the family warung, walk down steps, and wade upstream through the river on foot.

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A wide horseshoe fall on the Indravati River drops about 90 feet through green forest, widening to roughly 300 metres in monsoon. Visitors reach it by road about 38 kilometres from Jagdalpur, then walk down a pathway from the main road to the riverbed.

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A three-tiered waterfall drops into a blue pool in the Khasi Hills near Nongriat, with rainbows often forming in its spray. Visitors trek from Tyrna, down about 3,500 steps, then an hour more through forest.

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The Toce Waterfall drops 143 meters in white, foaming cascades when the Morasco Dam opens, framed by the valley and mountains. Drive up the Formazza Valley to a large top car park, or walk short paths from below.

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Stream water drops through a gorge with towering rock walls, ending in a waterfall at the mouth of a cave above a cold pool. Visitors park across the road and walk down a gravel track and many steps for about 15 minutes.

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A narrow stream drops from a cliff in a green gorge lined with rock walls, and the falls can be walked behind. The trail from the Skógar Museum car park takes about 10 to 15 minutes on foot.

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Water pours from cliffs above a rocky river in a wooded gorge, with a large drop and spray across the river below. Visitors reach the base after a short walk from the parking lot, down stairs or a dirt trail.

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A 212-foot drop where the Snake River pours over basalt cliffs in a canyon, wider than Niagara Falls at about 900 feet. Reached by Shoshone Falls Grade Road, about six miles from the Twin Falls Visitor Center.

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Twin streams plunge about 165 metres down a mountainside in the Odda Valley, join near the bottom and rush under an old stone bridge. Dark rock and green slopes surround it, and a car park beside the road gives access without a hike.

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A waterfall about 30 metres high pours over limestone rock into a gorge on the Göksu River, with green slopes around it. Visitors drive from Mut, park, then walk down steep paths and stairs to reach it.

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Cascada El Meco is a waterfall on a river in the Huasteca Potosina, with a pool at its base and cliffs around it. Visitors drive from Ciudad Valles on a rough road, then take a boat or canoe to the base.

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A wide curtain of water drops about 114 feet over a basalt cliff on the Snake River, with green canyon walls around it. A paved boardwalk leads from the parking lot to viewing platforms near the brink in about ten minutes.

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A wide wall of water falls into a rock canyon at Almécegas I, on São Bento farm near Alto Paraíso de Goiás. Visitors drive about 10 km of paved road, then dirt road to the car park, and walk about 1 km down to the pool.

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Tinuy-an Falls is a wide curtain of water spilling over a broad rock face in Bislig, Surigao del Sur, with three tiers, lush greenery and mist. Visitors reach it by bus or van to Bislig, then a short tricycle or car ride.

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Seven tiered falls drop over limestone rock in a jungle national park, with blue pools at several levels. Visitors reach it by bus from Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal, about 80 baht, then walk or ride a cart.

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Upper Rhine water drops 23 metres over rock, 150 metres wide, near Schaffhausen, with Laufen Castle on the bank. Trains run from Schaffhausen in three stops or from Zurich in about 45 minutes, with parking nearby.

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A 771-meter waterfall drops in two tiers into a valley, with lush jungle around the falls. Visitors walk about 5.5 km from Cocachimba, two to three hours each way, or ride horses partway.

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A 122 meter drop plunges into a gorge beside colorful basalt cliffs and the Granni falls. Access is a roughly 7 km gravel road with potholes, where a 4x4 is advised, then free parking and a short walk to the edge.

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Hebbe Falls is a two-tiered cascade in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, fed by a Bhadra River stream and framed by forest. Private vehicles stop at the forest checkpoint, and a forest department jeep covers the last 12 km.

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Wallaman Falls drops 268 metres in one plunge on Stoney Creek, about 305 metres with cascades, and rainforest and a gorge surround it. Reach it by an hour's winding drive from Ingham.

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A cascading fall of cold water drops over rock into a small pool, framed by forest, cocoa groves and bamboo huts in an Orang Asli village. Reach it by car from Sungai Siput, keep left at a Y-junction, then walk 10 to 20 minutes.

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A waterfall of about 80 metres drops into a dark rock pool inside a gorge, with spray and mist filling the air. Visitors reach it by a 30-minute walk downhill from the car park, or by bus or chiva from Baños.

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Multi-tiered limestone terraces spill turquoise pools down a forested slope in Tineg, Abra. Visitors ride a rough-road military or monster truck from Bangued or Tayum, then hike downhill to the falls.

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