100. Big Goat Lake Falls
Alaska, United States
THE SKINNY
Named for the lake immediately sourcing the falls, Big Goat Lake Falls is a prominent but rarely visited cascade found in a relatively isolated part of southeastern Alaska between Ketchikan and the Canadian Border. Only visible by plane or helicopter, the falls flume about 800 feet out of a glacially sculpted lake basin and into the long, sinuous valleys of the Misty Fjords.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Alaska surely has hundreds of impressive waterfalls, so what makes this one so special? Frankly, its not the waterfall. The landscape surrounding the falls is almost too perfect to be real, the water streaming directly out of Big Goat Lake and cascading down the valley, snow capped peaks lining the mountains and virgin, untouched forest all around. Though this is a list of the best waterfalls, and were this not nearly as impressive a waterfall it wouldn't be entered here.
99. Browne Falls
Southland, New Zealand
THE SKINNY
While not nearly as visually impressive as many of New Zealand's many other waterfalls, Browne Falls is the country's tallest. Dropping over 2600 feet from Browne Lake to the waters of Doubtful Sound, with the initial drop consisting of a single, long, sinuous horsetailing fall of over 1600 feet alone. The falls can only be seen by boat or aircraft as they descend into the deep waters of the fjord where no roads or trails access. Because the lake feeding the falls has essentially no feeder streams, the volume of water running over the falls drops considerably in the dry season, but it flows perennially. As much rainfall as this part of New Zealand recieves however, visitors are ensured a poignant sight at almost any time of year.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Waterfalls eclipsing the 800 meter mark are not exactly commonplace throughout the world. New Zealand has a couple of them but Browne Falls is the most volumnous and most noteworthy. Beyond height, the fact that the falls begin in a lake perched high up on the steep walls of the fjord and end almost directly in the ocean makes this unique for a totally different reason - practically the entire length of the stream is spent as waterfall, a characteristic that is very likely a globally rare occurence.
98. Hagoromo-no-taki
Hokkaido, Japan
THE SKINNY
Japan's fourth tallest waterfall, Hagaromo Falls is a centerpiece to Daisetzusan National Park. The falls drop 820 feet from a plateau on the lower slopes of Hokkaido's tallest mountains. A second stream plunges parallel to the main stream, the two joining just above the two final tiers of the falls, creating a very unique Y-shape not seen in many globally significant waterfalls.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Japan's waterfalls are known for their grace and exceptionally eye-catching shapes, but are rarely known for great height. Hagaromo Falls represents a rare combination of significant height and incredible grace that can be found nowhere else in the world.
97. Cascada del Cinca
Aragón, Spain
THE SKINNY
Plunging off of a glacially scoured plateau in the middle of the Spanish Pyranees, Cascada del Cinca is a series of airy plunges and horsetails thundering over 1600 feet down the the head of a sweeping glacial valley. Glaciers on the slopes of Monte Perdido ensure the falls flow well throughout the year as well as provide a spectacular backdrop.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
As Spain's tallest waterfall, the falls are among the most impressive and imposing in the Pyranees and stand up well against the biggest and best waterfalls in southern Europe.
96. Bridalveil Fall
California, United States
THE SKINNY
Though not overwhelming in height, Yosemite National Park's Bridalveil Fall is without question one of the most easily identifiable waterfalls on earth. Glistening in front of Cathedral Rock, the 620 foot falls serve as a gateway and greeting to visitors to spectacular Yosemite Valley. If that weren't enough, the falls are renowned for producing impressively vibrant rainbows across its face during the late spring afternoons.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
A 620 foot free-falling waterfall that behaves somewhat seasonally may not necessarily be the best candidate for this list, but when the scenery and the iconic status of the falls are thrown into the picture, it becomes a more obvious choice.
95. Kjelfossen
Sogn Og Fjordane, Norway
THE SKINNY
While nowhere near as overpowering and visually impressive as many of the waterfalls in Norway, Kjelfossen excels in one feature above almost all other: height. Dropping over 2400 vertical feet, the falls are one of the 25 tallest waterfalls known to exist on the planet. Though the drainage feeding the falls is modest at best, the spring flow is great and the site of the falls hurtling over a sheer plunge of 500 feet before cascading further is attention grabbing to say the least. Additionally, two parallel streams flume alongside the main fall, creating a very eye-catching triple fall of absolutely immense height.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Waterfalls which fall for this distance are not exactly common, and those that do so with a relatively consistent amount of flow are even rarer. That Kjelfossen is visible from the window of a passing car - and though no trail is known to exist to the base, the fall lies mere minutes from the road - cements its place on this list.
94. Chinak Meru
Bolivar, Venezuela
THE SKINNY
Though nowhere near as tall as its dozens of counterparts which veil from the massive table-mountain Tepuis in the Guyana Highlands in southeastern Venezuela, Chinak Meru is a very noteworthy waterfall in its own right. Thundering 344 feet over the edge of a horseshoe canyon in the otherwise flat Gran Sabana, the falls establish themselves quite resoundingly as a major feature - both from a tourism standpoint and as a geologic structure. The large volume of the Rio Aponwao ensures the falls retain their impressive stature even during the driest of seasons when many of the taller waterfalls in the area shrivel.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
While certainly pale in comparison to South America's other behemoth waterfalls, the combination of consistently significant volume dropping over a 344 foot canyon elevates this cataract to a level that isn't seen many other places around the world.
93. Cachoeira da Fumaça
Espirito Santo, Brazil
THE SKINNY
While certainly the lesser known of Brazil's waterfalls which carry the title of Cachoeira da Fumaça (Smoke Falls in english), this particular cataract is by far the best of those carrying this title. Found about 180 miles northeast of Rio de Janiero amid a landscape pockmarked with endless rolling hills, this massive 460-odd foot tall cataract seems out of place in its setting. The North Right Branch of Rio Itapemirim pitches over a long concave cataract, beginning as a steep slide which progresses more and more vertical as it descends. About halfway down the falls, the river splits into two channels, creating a striking two-pronged formation at the base of the falls.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
While the taller and more famous Cachoeira da Fumaça in Bahia lives up to its name quite well, this cataract fits its title for an entirely different reason. The power of the falls thundering over the escarpment ensures an almost constant billow of spray soaks the basin surrounding the waterfall. At flood stage, the falls are so violent that it becomes difficult to photograph or even approach the waterfall due to the volume of mist in the air. Compound the power of the falls with a very striking shape and we've got a formula for a really impressive waterfall.
92. Strupen
Sogn Og Fjordane, Norway
THE SKINNY
Fed by a large portion of the Myklebustbreen, Strupen is a moderate to high volume series of falls which stairstep down the side of its valley in a very underappreciated display. The main portion of the falls drop for around 1570 feet, draining from the main tongue of the glacier, but several tributary streams which are fed by ice higher up stream down to join the main watercourse as it is already falling, which - depending on whether this can be considered the same waterfall - could increase the height of the falls to well over 2600 feet in all.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Not only is this a waterfall of significant height and volume, but it is also quite unique in shape. The uppermost drop along the main watercourse splits into several channels, creating a weaved diamond pattern as it falls down the fractured, glacially polished bedrock. Such odd forms are not common for such large waterfalls.
91. Vinnufossen
Møre Og Romsdal, Norway
THE SKINNY
Plunging over 2800 feet down the side of one of Norway's most massive glacially carved valleys, Vinnufossen is the tallest recorded waterfall on the Eurasian continent. The falls don't exhibit a significantly large volume of water, but being fed by a modest glacier allows them to flow consistently and with moderate volume for the warmest months of the year (though due to the high northern latitude, the falls do freeze "dry" during 4-6 months that winter temperatures occur). The falls are not widely publicized, but can be seen from a major thoroughfare between Oslo and Trondheim, two of the countrys four largest cities.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
The neck-craining height of Vinnufossen alone is precedent for inclusion on the Top 100 list. Disregarding the height though, the falls are just downright impressive. The stream spouts out of a narrow crack in the cliff and veils out further and further in a very eye-catching form, and while its difficult to truly appreciate the size involved with this waterfall, I doubt anybody would disagree that it is simply impressive.
90. Giessbachfälle
Bern, Switzerland
THE SKINNY
The falls of the Giessbach have long enjoyed notoriety, thanks to 18th century artists who frequented the falls, the famous Grandhotel Giessbach, built in 1870 and the throngs of tourists who have visited throughout the ages. All this popularity rightly stems from the incredibly scenic and eye catching shape of the 1,280 foot falls. Coupled with the scenery of the Swiss countryside, the falls are one of the most charming of the worlds major waterfalls.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Though not nearly the tallest in Europe (or even in Switzerland for that matter), the height coupled with the consistency and volume of the stream make for a winning package at virtually any time of year. The nearby Hotel, though somewhat touristy, doesn't exactly hurt the situation either.
89. Cachoeira do Paulo Afonso
Bahia / Alagoas, Brazil
THE SKINNY
One of the world's true massive cataracts, the falls of the Rio Paulo Afonso are second only to those of the Rio Iguazu in sheer size on the continent. Unlike its sibling to the south, however, Paulo Afonso Falls was not graced with isolation and the river was identified and harnessed for hydroelectric use before the falls could be properly protected. The cataracts, dropping a total of about 275 feet only flow heavily during the rainy season when the dams can't handle the full volume of the river, but this seasonal display alone is worthy of sustaining the falls' reputation.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Hydroelectric project or no, a waterfall of this height on a river the size of the Paulo Afonso is a clear cut case of a world class cataract. Were the dams not in place and were the falls allowed to run free, they would very likely rank among the top 20 on the planet, if not higher.
88. Sivlefossen
Hordaland, Norway
THE SKINNY
Standing as the larger of a pair of "gatekeeper" waterfalls at the head of the jaw-dropping Næroydalen, Sivlefossen steps and veil a total of about780 feet in explosive fashion, with its final drop standing 382 feet alone, making a fantastic first impression on visitors to the upper end of the valley. Located immediately across the valley is Stalheimsfossen, an equally powerful waterfall of 413 feet in height. The two make a lasting impression on all who visit.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Even as a stand-alone waterfall, Sivlefossen makes the Top 20 list for Norway's best waterfalls, but pairing it with Stalheimsfossen and setting it against the backdrop of the Næroyfjord - easily one of Norway's most scenic inlets - is just icing on the cake.
87. Stirling Falls
Southland, New Zealand
THE SKINNY
Leaping from a classic hanging valley and plunging directly into the calm waters of New Zealand's iconic Milford Sound, 495 foot tall Stirling Falls is a spectacle in itself, but set against the backdrop of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound - not to mention the countless other waterfalls in the area - and the end result is a package deal with a fantastic centerpiece waterfall. During the rainy season, unpleasant as it may be, Stirling Falls can balloon to immense proportion and send a tidal wave of mist gushing outward from its impact with the ocean.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Similar in shape and character (sans the whole 'dropping into the ocean' thing) to California's Bridalveil Falls, Stirling Falls ranks as better in our minds simply because of its volume. Stirling Creek can resemble a river during the wet season, and not just on a sporadic basis but rather quite consistently. Add in the fact that tour boats will steer right up to the falls so that visitors can literally reach out and touch the falling water and Bridalveil just can't compete.
86. Bowen Falls
Southland, New Zealand
THE SKINNY
Visible at the head of New Zealand's iconic Milford Sound, 508 foot tall Bowen Falls is lofty, powerful, accessible and most importantly, just downright impressive. Though the basin which the falls drains from doesn't possess any permanent snow pack, the almost constantly wet weather of New Zealand's west coast keeps the falls flowing heavily all year long. Come the wettest months of the winter, however, and the falls swell to a juggernaut so powerful that the mist kicked off the falls can temporarily reduce the visibility at the nearby airstrip.
WHY IT'S DESERVING
Height, power, a rather unique shape and jaw dropping scenery - this one has it all. While not the best in New Zealand, Bowen Falls is certainly among the contenders for the country's Top 5.
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