The waterfall– the condensed vertical structure of water falling with a huge noise, arouses respect in every human being. At the same time, it delights and relaxes, and its metaphysical nature stimulates the imagination of many. Check our Selections of Quotes about Waterfalls
Waterfalls can be divided into many categories. The most famous waterfall in the world is Niagara Falls, but you won’t find it in this list, because our post will tell you about the World’s highest waterfalls.
This list doesn’t include the tallest waterfall in the world Denmark Strait Cataract with a height 3,505 m (11,499 ft) as its an underwater waterfall located between Iceland and Greenland. It’s hard to believe but this fall starts at 600 meters below the ocean surface and plunges down.
If you are interested in other tallest, biggest, smallest read our post about “Smallest country in the world“, The Longest river in Europe, Longest river in the world or the Largest Island in the world.
Angel Falls – 976 m – Venezuela – the tallest waterfall in the world
The highest waterfall in the world is Angel Falls, 976 m high. It flows from the Auyan Tapuy massif, which is part of the La Gran Sabana highlands and flows into the Rio Churun River, a tributary of the Caroni River. It is located in the Canaima National Park in the Bolivar state of Venezuela .
The Falls were discovered by accident by the American pilot James Angel (hence the name), who flew there in 1933 looking for gold. Even though the Angel Falls is the world’s tallest waterfall you won’t find in here many visitors. The location of the waterfall is a tropical lush vegetation that is difficult to access, so you can go on a multi-day trip through the rainforest or admire it from the plane.
Angel Falls (in Spanish Salto Angel) is as well waterfall with the record of highest single vertical drop which measures 807 meters (2,648 ft)
The Salto Angel Falls in Venezuela is the tallest waterfall in the world
Tugela Falls – 948 m – South Africa
The second highest waterfall in the world and also the highest waterfall in Africa is Tugela. It flows into the Tugela river is 948 m high. It is located where the Tugala waters leave the Drakensberg Mountains on the Mount-aux-Sources Plateau in the Kwazulu Natal National Park. It consists of five cascades, the longest of them is 411 m.
Tugela Falls in South Africa is the second-highest waterfall in the world. Tugela Falls is 4 hours away from Durban – one of the biggest cities in South Africa
Mattenbachfälle 930 metres (3,051 ft)
Even though Mattenbachfälle is the tallest waterfall in Europe with the height 930 meters – measurement was done recently (in 2020) by Vertical Cayoning Team (group of crazy abseilers who abseil tall waterfalls in order to measure it). Mattenbachfälle water comes from melting snows and often in hot summer weather the fall can be completely dried out.
Cataratas las Tres Hermanas – 914 m – Peru
The third highest waterfall in the world is located in Peru in the Ayacucho region by the tributary of the Rio Cutivireni in the Otishi National Park. It creates three main cascades, hence the name Cataratas las Tres Hermanas – Three Sisters Waterfall. It is 914 meters high and 12 meters wide. The location of the falls makes it hard to reach, and the only way to admire these magnificent falls is from the helicopter.
Olo’upena Falls – 900 m – USA, Hawaii
The fourth in the world – Olo’upenna is the highest waterfall in the territory of the United States. It is located in the north-eastern part of the island of Molkai, between the Wailau and Pelkun valleys. It is 900 in height. Access to it is difficult because there is a lot of rainfall in this place. You can admire it mainly from the air making a special sightseeing helicopter tour.
Catarata Yumbilla Falls – 895 m – Peru
Located in northwestern Peru, in the Amazonas region, in the province of Bangora – Catarata Yumbilla is the third tallest waterfall in South America. It reaches a height of 895 m. Its width, depending on the season, ranges from 8 to 15 m. It is located in the rainforest.
Vinnufossen – 865 m – Norway
A series of three waterfalls next on our list is a waterfall located in Norway, in Europe. The tallest waterfall in Europe and the sixth tallest in the world is Vinnufossen, which locals simply call Vinnufallet. The water flow in this glacier largely depends on how the Vinnufonna Glacier melts and how intense the rainfall is.
Balåifossen – 850 m – Norway
Balåifossen is a waterfall on the Balåi River in Ulvik municipality, on the southeast side of the Osafjord. The total height of this waterfall consists of three cascades, the longest of which is 452 meters. The waterfall is fed mainly with water from melting snow, so it happens that it completely disappears in autumn or summer. Balåifossen Waterfall has a total height of 850 meters and, according to the World Waterfall Database, is the second largest waterfall in Norway and Europe and the seventh largest waterfall in the world.
Pu’uka’oku Falls – 840 m, USA, Hawaii
On the Hawaiian island of Molokai there is also a waterfall, which ranks eighth on the list of the highest waterfalls in the world – Puʻukaʻoku Falls with a height of 840 m. It is a very thin waterfall, which is deeply carved into one of the highest cliffs in the world – Haloku , which is inaccessible to access . From here it flows directly into the Pacific Ocean. It is most impressive when viewed from the ocean during a boat cruise or from the air during a helicopter flight.
James Bruce Falls – 840 m, Canada
The highest waterfall in North America and the ninth highest in the world is located in British Columbia, Canada with an unofficial name – James Bruce Falls. It is located in a protected area in Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park. They are basically two parallel waterfalls, consisting of several cascades with a total height of 840 m. They are periodic waterfalls that usually dry up during the summer.
Browne Falls – 836 m, New Zealand
The tenth highest waterfall in the world is 836m Browne Falls in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park. The water that feeds the waterfall comes from Lake Browne and then flows down the slope of the Fiordland Fjord at a 42 degree angle directly into the Pacific Ocean. The waterfall is named after Victor Carlyle Browne – the aviation photographer who discovered Lake Browne and the waterfalls while flying over Fiordland in the 1940s.
Strupenfossen – 820 m, Norway
The Strupenfossen Waterfall is part of the Strupen River in the Myklebustdalen Valley in the Gloppen Commune. The waterfall consists of several small waterfalls and is 820 meters high.
Ramneffjellsfossen – 818 m – Norway
The Norwegian fjords are the perfect place to create tall and picturesque waterfalls. Another impressive waterfall in this country is the Ramnemffjellsfossen waterfall, 818 m high. This waterfall is also known as Utigardsfossen and Utigard.
Waihilau Falls – 792 m, USA, Hawaii
Waihilau Falls is another waterfall located in Hawaii. This 792-meter colossus is situated in the lush Waimanu Valley . This place is difficult to access (there are no official roads), therefore not too many tourists come here.
Colonial Creek Falls – 788 meters, USA
Colonial Creek Falls is the highest waterfall in the continental US. It is taller than the more famous Yosemite Falls by 43.5 meters.
Mongefossen – 773 m – Norway
From the USA, we move again to Norway, where the Mongefossen waterfall is located. Today, its height is 773 m, although it was once higher, a hydroelectric power plant was built in its vicinity, which significantly reduced its flow.
Gocta – 771 m – Peru
The Gotca waterfall , recently discovered in 2002 by a traveller and scientist from Germany – Stefan Ziemendorff, is located in Peru in the central point of the Chachapoyas province. The nearest town is Cocachimba. Reaching the waterfall is made difficult not only by the endless tropics or high mountains, but also by the local population. According to their myths, this land is inhabited by gods. Gotca Waterfall is 771 m high.
Mutarazi Falls – 762 meters, Zimbabwe
The second tallest waterfall in Africa and the 17th tallest in the world is in Zimbabwe. Mutarazi Falls consists of two faults, the longer of which is 479 meters.
Kjelfossen – 755 m – Norway
Kjelfossen is another large waterfall located in Norway. There is somewhat contradictory information about its height, as it has never been accurately measured (some sources say it may be as high as 840 meters). The average width of this waterfall is about 8 meters. It has several faults, the longest of which is 198 meters. Interestingly, unlike many of the waterfalls listed in this list, it is quite visible – you do not have to wade through the dense jungle, because you can see it from the nearby E16 route.
Johannesburg Falls – 751 m – USA
Only 1.5 meters wide is another of the largest waterfalls in the world. It has 5 faults, the largest of which is 243 meters.
Yosemite – 740 m – USA
Our ranking of the world’s top 20 waterfalls is rounded off by Yosemite Falls. Located in the US, California, in the Yosemite National Park, on the river of the same name in the western Sierra Nevada mountain range, the waterfall is 740 meters high. It consists of three cascades: the upper – 436 m, the middle – 206 m, and the lower – 98 m.