The Most Beautiful Waterfalls Ever Created By Mother Nature
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Nature is full of wonders, from snow-capped mountains to crescent-shaped beaches, but there's something about waterfalls that just stops us in our tracks. It's the hypnotic flow of the water and the thunderous sound they make. It's the mist that swirls around them, and the rainbows they sometimes create. Basically, waterfalls are magical. You already know about Niagara Falls, but here's a list of some of the other most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
Gullfoss Waterfall — Iceland
Iceland's natural beauty is on full display in Thingvellir National Park, part of the country's so-called Golden Circle. One of the park's top draws is Gullfoss, a wide, two-tiered waterfall that plunges into a gorge full of foaming water.
Sign up for a Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik, which, in addition to Gullfoss, includes a visit to the Strokkur geyser.
More: Check Out the 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World!
Yosemite Falls — California
Located in California's Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite is known for its many beautiful waterfalls, including 2,425-foot-high Yosemite Falls, which features three separate falls. The hike to the top is strenuous, but those who tackle it will be rewarded with top-notch views.
On this full-day tour from San Francisco, you'll visit Yosemite and its top attractions, as well as Sequoia National Park.
Iguazu Falls — Brazil and Argentina
Iguazu Falls, on the border between Brazil and Argentina, is a mighty waterfall complex on the Iguazu River. It's comprised of 275 waterfalls of varying sizes — one of the largest is the 269-foot-high, horseshoe-shaped Devil's Throat.
For an up-close-and-personal look at these famous falls, you can book a full-day guided tour departing from Puerto Iguazu.
Multnomah Falls — Oregon
Immerse yourself in Pacific Northwest scenery while in the Columbia River Gorge, known for its dozens of waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. This 611-foot-high cascade, with two drops, is fed by underground springs.
A full-day tour with Wildwood Adventures, departing from Portland, includes the falls, as well as nearby Mount Hood.
More: Check Out the 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World!
Plitvice Falls — Croatia
Plitvice Falls, in Croatia's Plitvice Lakes National Park, isn't just one waterfall, but rather, a series of insanely scenic cascades emptying into 16 terraced lakes. Snap photos of these natural wonders from the park's network of raised wooden walkways.
This day trip from Split includes a guided tour of the park's waterfalls, a lake cruise, and a scenic tram ride.
Sutherland Falls — New Zealand
Sutherland Falls, in Fiordland National Park, is a spectacular 1,904-foot-high, three-tiered cascade fed by a glacial lake. The falls are located near Milford Sound fjord, where scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed.
See the falls and the park's other top attractions from above during an hour-long flight with Milford Sound Scenic Flights.
Victoria Falls — Zambia and Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River in southern Africa, is a mile-long curtain of thundering water. Its massive size makes it one of the world's most photographed waterfalls — some of the best views are from Livingstone Island.
Shockwaves Adventures has numerous ways to see the falls, including private tours and white-water rafting trips.
Angel Falls — Venezuela
At 3,212 feet, Angel Falls is the world's highest waterfall. This towering beauty, which flows from the top of Auyantepuy Mountain, is named for Jimmy Angel, an American pilot who landed on top of the mountain in 1937.
This three-day trip to Angel Falls, within remote Canaima National Park, includes a roundtrip flight, hotels, meals, and guides.
Niagara Falls — U.S. and Canada
Shared by the United States and Canada, this spectacular geological wonder is actually three separate falls: Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and American and Bridal Veil across the border in New York.
There are numerous ways to see the falls, including the 775-foot-high Skylon Tower, but one of the most thrilling is to take a cruise aboard the Maid of the Mist.
Wailua Falls — Hawaii
Hawaii has numerous waterfalls, but not all are as accessible as Wailua Falls in Kauai. You won't be disappointed by these twin beauties, which some might recognize from the opening credits of the show Fantasy Island.
Snap photos of the Wailua Falls, along with Kilauea Lighthouse and Hanalei Bay, while on this tour of Kauai.
Kaieteur Falls — Guyana
If you want to see one of the world's most powerful waterfalls up close, visit Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River deep in Guyana's region of the Amazon rainforest. This mighty, often mist-shrouded cascade, is 741 feet high.
Wilderness Explorers offers day trips via charter plane to see the falls, which are located in a very remote area in central Guyana.
Maletsunyane Falls — Lesotho
Though not as well known as some of the world's other top waterfalls, Maletsunyane Falls, in Lesotho in southern Africa, is just as stunning. This 630-foot-tall single cascade, surrounded by cliffs, empties into a prehistoric gorge.
Explore the falls and a neighboring village with a local guide during this full-day excursion.
Havasu Falls — Arizona
While not the tallest or the widest, Havasui is definitely one of the world's prettiest waterfalls. Located on Arizona's Havasupai Reservation, the falls are surrounded by massive red rocks and tumble into a pool of turquoise-colored water.
Wildland Trekking offers all-inclusive multi-day camping trips to Havasu Falls, which can only be reached by hiking.
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