Love adventure? Want to explore ecologically preserved sites for new photography and learning opportunities? Love scenic water views and refreshing places to cool down? Hiking provides it all. Some spectacular sites, like the largest waterfalls in the world, can be seen along the trails—both those rarely trod and heavily travelled. These eco-wonders are not just beautiful, but beneficial to the environment by providing purified water, nurturing aquatic life and flora and fauna and also by calming our minds and souls. Climate change is altering many of Earth's natural landscapes so be aware of variable conditions along trails as you feed your sense of adventure.
Running Rapids
Athabasca Falls
Alberta, Canada
Water from the Canadian Rockies flows down into the waterfalls of Jasper National Park creating a flow with wild vigor. The falls are wheelchair accessible, with a paved path taking admirers to a number of viewpoints. Venturing off the path allows visitors to explore both the upper and lower regions of the trail.
Lush Landscape
Akaka Falls Trail
Hakalau, Hawaii
A short half-mile hike is big on sights and low on strenuous activity. The well-kept loop trail ushers sightseers around to see a number of waterfalls, including the 442-foot main attraction, and beautiful local flora among the lush landscape. Though there are no hills to climb, there are a number of stairways to navigate
Winter Waterfall
Nugget Falls
Juneau, Alaska
Located in Tongass National Forest about 12 miles from Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier has produced Nugget Falls, a fan-like waterfall that leads into a lake. A series of short hikes allows for different views of the waterfall and icy surrounds, which are also known for frequent brown bear sightings.
California High
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, California
Yosemite National Park is America's oldest national park and home to the fifth tallest waterfall in the world. Hikers can reach it by taking a 1-mile loop trail from the lodge or the 7.2-mile round-trip Yosemite Falls Trail route. Late spring is best, with the highest water flow. In the winter, the temperatures dip below freezing. A park admission fee applies.
Top and Bottom Views
Cascada de Tamu|
Huasteca, Mexico
There are two ways to reach this waterfall, located in a canyon on the Gallinas River. To see it from above, you'll need to trek from the parking area to the top of the waterfall. Some tour companies take guests rappelling off the top of the falls, allowing vistas from the top and the bottom. Or, via the village of La Morena, adventurers can take a small rowboat to the falls.
Cross-Border Cascade
Iguazu Falls
Argentina and Brazil
The series of waterfalls that makes up Iguazu Falls constitutes the world's largest waterfall system. Multiple trails lead to various viewing locations from both the Argentina and Brazil sides. Depending on water flow, there can be over 200 waterfalls flowing at once.
Black and White
Svartifoss
Skaftafell National Park, Iceland
The black basalt columns of the surrounds here contrast with the gushing white of the Svartifoss waterfall. Plus, it's surrounded by a lush green landscape. To see this wonder, you'll need to hike about a mile uphill from the National Park's visitors' center on a route that ushers walkers past other, smaller falls along the way.
Ancient Steps
Orrido di Bellano
Lake Como, Italy
A 15-million-year-old gorge is host to one of Italy's most spectacular waterfalls. Adventurers can hike down staircases and across walkways into the narrow space where they'll hear the echos that helped the area gain its name. Reaching the end of cavern trail reveals a blue lagoon with calm waters.
Cascading Curtain
Lumangwe Falls
Chimpempe, Zambia
Though it's easy to mistake Lumangwe Falls for the more famous Victoria Falls in photographs, the Namibian landmark has its own unique landscape—including a nearby rainforest, ripe for exploration. Paths lead to the foot of the falls, allowing for an up-close look at the water flow, which is at its height in mid-spring. The site has only been open to tourists since 1996.
Border Beauty
Ban Gioc Waterfall
Cao Bang, Vietnam
Located on the border with China, the Ban Gioc Waterfall area is located within Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark. Divided into a number of falls except during the wettest season, the flows are joined by bamboo bridges hikers can use to explore. Steep paths connect the area from top to bottom to reveal spectacular views.
A Beautiful Duo
Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep
Lombok, Indonesia
These waterfalls are a jointly ticketed attraction that are relatively easily accessible, even for casual hikers. Sendang Gile is encountered first, then it's a further half-hour hike to Tiu Kelep. Depending on the weather, though, the path to the falls can be slippery. But the payoff for making the trip is spectacular.
