10 Must-see Waterfalls of the World

posted in: FCS, World  |  posted by: Dave Emery on October 09, 2008  |  12 Comments

There are thousands of waterfalls all over the world. Many are small in stature; nothing more than trickles eroding the rock around them. We here at Hotel Club have comprised a list of the ten most inspiring waterfalls Earth has to offer and definitely suggest our readers visiting them at some point in their travels. The power and beauty of water in these photos is truly astonishing.

1. Angel Falls, located in Venezuela, is the tallest waterfall in the world. Ist largest plunge is over 2,600 feet and boasts a total height of 3,212 feet. The average width of its stream is 350 feet. Pilot Jimmy Angel is widely credited for discovering the falls in 1937, but the true discoverer was Ernesto de Santa Cruz, who found the falls in 1910. As is the norm, the falls were named after the first westerner to discover them. Best of All Rights Reserved

Hillsieboy
Meneldur

Dave Massie

2. Located in France, Gavarnie (Grande Cascade de) is just above average in height on this list (1,384 feet). It is the tallest waterfall in France. Gavarnie is fed by a glaciel lake with no outlet, the water instead sinking into the limestone substrate and escaping as the falls. Best of All Rights Reserved

Mathieu Legros

Chakchouka

3. Gocta, Catarata is one of the few newly discovered falls the world has to offer. Only brought to the attention of the Peruvian government in 2002. It is hard to imagine a waterfall over 2,500 feet in height going unnoticed for so long. Best of All Rights Reserved

Morrissey

Morrissey

Morrissey

4. Iguazu, or Iguacu, is has the shortest drop on our list — a paltry 269 feet. However, the magnitude (61,660 cubic feet/second) of these falls is astonishing. Straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, people from all over the world have visited this magnificent display of nature’s raw power. Best of All Rights Reserved

Pablodda

Phillie Casablanca

Ricardo Martins

5. Kaieteur Falls, in Guyana, is one of the rare waterfalls of the world blessed with the unusual combination of power and height. Kaieteur is an imposing aquatic wall only rivaled by India’s Jog Falls. Best of All Rights Reserved

Source

Source

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6. The Langfoss (Langfossen) waterfall cascades over 2000 feet down an angular mountain face and beneath a major roadway (providing up-close viewing access). A rarity for streams of this magnitude in Norway, Langfoss remains untapped for hydroelectric production. Best of All Rights Reserved

MGSpiller

From Wikipedia

CoreForce

7. Again representing the country of Norway, Mardalsfossen bests Langfossen in height but not magnitude. Mardalsfossen consists of a two-tiered drop, both plunges, and a series of cascading falls at its base. Best of All Rights Reserved

From Wikipedia

Source

8. New Zealand’s famous waterfall, Sutherland Falls, is an awe-inspiring vision of nature and known worldwide. It is fed by Lake Quill, whose waters can be attributed to several glaciers. Three steps, or descents, lead to this waterfall’s base (751 feet, 815feet, and 338 feet). Best of All Rights Reserved

Jan Hannaford

Startzell

9. Lying on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is an other powerful waterfall representing the continent of Africa. It spans almost 6,000 feet and can be broken down into four main segments (The Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls, and the Eastern Cataract). This waterfall provides spectacular views, both from ground level and above. The native name of the falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates as “smoke that thunders.” Best of All Rights Reserved

Sara & Joachim

Zest PK

Squeaky Marmot

10. America’s only representative on the list, Yosemite Falls‘ scenic surroundings are as much a lure to tourists as the falls themselves. The falls consist of a 1430 foot plunge, then 675 feet of cascades and finishes off with a 320 foot horsetail. Look closely at the second-to-last picture of the four and you may discern a shape in the mist. Best of All Rights Reserved

Hillary H.

From Wikipedia

Kevin Eldon

Mimpei

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12 Responses to “10 Must-see Waterfalls of the World”

  1. nick says on

    No Niagra Falls?

  2. Darran says on

    I absolutely love the Langfoss waterfall, shall make it a point to visit there. I already have Yosemite and Niagara on my list. Amazing list you have here.

  3. tom says on

    I have never seen a poem more lovely than a waterfall.
    (with due apologies to Frost)

  4. Golfing in Thailand says on

    Angel Falls in Venezuela is amazing! would luv to see all of them.. i like waterfalls ..usually make you feel relaxed listening to the sound of water.

  5. Javier says on

    OOOhhhh yeah, those are really good pictures. I hope someday I see these marvels “face to face” !!!!!

  6. Emma says on

    There is a very strange waterfall in the North West of Australia in Talbot Bay called the Horizontal Waterfall. Basically the tidal movements are huge up there, 8 metres plus difference for low and high tide during some parts of the year. Retreating water get’s caught between gaps in the cliffs causing a waterfall. The waterfall also reverses when the tide turns and the water returns. Best to veiw from the air I am told.

  7. Hira Kumar says on

    This falls’s picture is really touch my heart. So, beautiful and feel cool

  8. Regina says on

    You left out Hawaii which has some amazing waterfalls! Perhaps you should come take a look.

  9. Matt says on

    Niagara has become a tourist hole. It’s such a shame how the city of Niagara Falls can exploit a beautiful work of nature to the extent that they do.

  10. Mark H says on

    Getting a list of ten is nearly impossible but Iceland has some of the greatest waterfalls in the world and deserve at least one entry.

  11. nikola says on

    plitvice lakes (falls) Croatia ;-)



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