25 Tallest Waterfalls In The World

Posted by , Updated on March 24, 2024

The height of the tallest waterfalls in the world will astound you. People, whether driven by sheer curiosity or stringent scientific endeavor, have constantly attempted to calculate the heights of global waterfalls, a task often fraught with difficulties, due to the lack of standardized height measurement techniques. Furthermore, some of the loftiest waterfalls are highly inaccessible, making their measurements frequently estimated. Drawing from some of the most widely acknowledged waterfall measurements, we’ve gathered a list of the universe’s highest falls. Encompassing everything from the towering Yosemite Falls in California to the iconic Angel Falls in Venezuela, these are the preeminent 25 Tallest Waterfalls In The World.

25

Avalanche Basin Falls, Montana, US - 707 m (2,320 ft)

waterfallinmontana2Source: worldwaterfalldatabase.com, image: Glacier National Park In Montana, Avalanche Basin currently not shown. No CC image available.

Located in the Glacier National Park in Montana, the Avalanche Basin Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the continental U.S. It’s fed by the northernmost part of the Sperry Glacier and dozens of tarns and snowmelt streams.

24

Kjeragfossen, Norway - 715 m (2,346 ft)

KjeragfossenSource: “Kjeragfossen” via Wikipedia, image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kjeragfossen

Located in a very scenic natural area in the municipality of Forsand in Rogaland County, Norway, Kjeragfossen is a plunge-style waterfall that is usually only active about 5 months of the year.

23

Manawainui Falls, Hawaii, US - 719 m (2,359 ft)

Hawaiifalls2Source: http://mauiguidebook.com, image: is for illustration only and is not Manawainui Falls. No CC image available.

Situated in the stunning Manawainui Valley on the Hawaiian Island of Maui, the Manawainui Falls is one of the most spectacular and tallest waterfalls in the state as well as in the world.

22

Olmaafossen, Norway – 720 m (2,362 ft)

somewaterfall2Source: europeanwaterfalls.com, image: is for illustration purpose only and is not Olmaafossen. No CC image available.

One of many Norwegian waterfalls on the list, Olmaafossen is situated in Raumadalen in the municipality of Rauma in Western Norway. The waterfall is fed by small lakes and glaciers but its intensity varies greatly with seasons.

21

Cascades de Trou de Fer, Reunion, France - 725 m (2,379 ft)

Cascades de Trou de FerSource: “Trou de Fer canyon and waterfalls” via Wikipedia, image: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trou-de-Fer.jpg

Located in the Trou de Fer Canyon on the Reunion Island which lies off the coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Cascades de Trou de Fer is the tallest and most spectacular waterfalls on this French island.

20

Yosemite Falls, California, US - 739 m (2,425 ft)

Yosemite FallsSource: "Yosemite National Park Waterfalls" via Wikipedia, image: Svein-Magne Tunli

Dropping a total of 739 m (2,425 ft), the Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in the Yosemite National Park and one of the highest in the U.S. It’s a major attraction in the park, especially in late spring when the water flow is at its peak.

19

Johannesburg Falls, Washington, US - 751 m (2,464 ft)

Johannesburgfallsnotreally2Source: waterfallsnorthwest.com, image: is for illustration purpose only and is not Johannesburg Falls. No CC image available.

Located near the Cascade Pass within the North Cascades National Park in Washington, the Johannesburg Falls is a massive, spectacular waterfall fed by small streams which flow from glaciers on the Johannesburg Mountain.

18

Kjellfossen, Norway - 755 m (2,477 ft)

norwaywaterfall4Source: "Statistical Yearbook of Norway 2009" via Wikipedia, image: for illustration purpose only and is not Kjellfossen falls. No CC image available.

Situated near the village of Gudvangen in the Sogn og Fjordane County, Western Norway, Kjellfossen is listed as the 18th tallest waterfall in the world. However, the height of the waterfall has never been accurately measured, so it might be taller. Some sources list it as 840 m (2,760 ft) tall.

17

Mutarazi Falls, Zimbabwe - 762 m (2,500 ft)

Mutarazi Falls, ZimbabweSource: jenmansafaris.com, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mutarazi_Falls00.jpg

The second highest waterfalls in Africa, the Mutarazi Falls is located in the Nyanga National Park in Zimbabwe. The summer season characterized by heavy rains is the best time to visit the site as it’s when the water flow is at its peak.

16

Gocta Catarats, Peru - 771 m (2,530 ft)

Gocta CataratsSource: scienceray.com via Wikipedia, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gocta.jpg

Gocta Catarats is a perennial waterfall with two drops located in Peru’s province of Chachapoyas in Amazonas. Although the waterfall had been well known to locals for centuries, its existence was not made known to the world until after an expedition made in 2005 by a German, Stefan Ziemendorff, with a group of Peruvian explorers.

15

Mongefossen, Norway - 773 m (2,536 ft)

MongefossenSource: "Mongefossen" via Wikipedia, image: https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongefossen

Located in the Rauma Municipality in Norway, Mongefossen holds the distinction as being the highest waterfall in the world which may be viewed from a railway station. There is some dispute as to the height but it is generally listed at 773 m (2,536 ft).

14

Colonial Creek Falls, Washington, US - 788 m (2,585 ft

Waterfallwashington2Source: www.waterfallsnorthwest.com, image: is for illustration purposes only and is not Colonial Creek Falls. No CC Images available.

Located in the North Cascades National Park in Washington, the Colonial Creek Falls is the tallest waterfall in the continental U.S. The falls traverse a total of over 1,300 m (4,200 ft) in 13 distinct drops with an average incline of 65 degrees.

13

Waihilau Falls, Hawaii, US - 792 m (2,598 ft)

Waihilau FallsSource: wondermondo.com, image: is for illustration only and is not Waihilau Falls. No CC image were available.

Fed by the Waihilau Stream, the Waihilau Falls is a horsetail-type waterfalls found in the picturesque Waimanu Valley in Hawaii that is – similarly to many other great valleys of Hawaii – covered with lush green vegetation.

12

Ramnefjellsfossen, Norway - 818 m (2,684 ft)

RamnefjellsfossenSource: “The Top Ten of Everything“ via Wikipedia, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kjenndalen.jpg

Located on the mountain Ramnefjellet in the municipality of Stryn in Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway, Ramnefjellsfossen is a 818 m (2,684 ft) tall waterfalls fed by the Ramnefjellbreen Glacier. The falls can be reached by boat, sea plane, or road, and a campsite is located within hiking distance of the base of the falls.

11

Strupenfossen, Norway - 820 m (2,690 ft)

waterfallnorwaySource: europeanwaterfalls.com, image: is used for illustrative purposes only and is not Strupenfossen falls. No CC image were available.

Fed by a huge glacier called Myklebustbreen, Strupenfossen is another prominent Norwegian waterfalls. It isn’t a very powerful but is yet unique in its shape. Summer is the best time to come to see it as the amount of ice melting down from the glacier is on its maximum.

10

Browne Falls, New Zealand - 836 m (2,743 ft)

Browne FallsSource: “World's Tallest Waterfalls” via Wikipedia, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Browne_Falls_(Doubtful_Sound).jpg

New Zealand is famous for its breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls but just one of them made it to the list. Located in Fiordland National Park on New Zealand´s South Island, the Browne Falls is surrounded by stunning landscape that is home to numerous plant species and birds.

9

James Bruce Falls, Canada - 840 m (2,756 ft)

James Bruce FallsSource: worldwaterfalldatabase.com, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:James_Bruce_Falls_2015.jpg

Situated in the Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada, the James Bruce Falls is the tallest of several dozen waterfalls which stream down the cliffs at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet. The falls are fed by a small glacial remnant situated at 1,524 m (5,000 ft) above sea level.

8

Puukaoku Falls, Hawai, US - 840 m (2,756 ft)

Hawaiiwaterfall2Source: wondermondo.com, image: is for representation only and is not Puukaoku falls. CC images where not available.

The Puukaoku Falls have formed in some of the world´s highest cliffs (Haloku Cliffs), which are located in the north-eastern part of the Molokai Island. The waterfall is thin and deeply etched in the cliff, which is why it is rarely seen and photographed.

7

Balaifossen, Norway - 850 m (2,789 ft)

Norwaywaterfall2Source: europeanwaterfalls.com, image: is for illustration purposes only. CC image of Balaifossen not available

Balaifossen is one of the highest waterfalls in Norway and is situated in the municipality of Ulvik in the southern part of the country. It is fed by the Balai River that drops down over 850 m (2,789 ft) and ends in Osafjorden, a huge fjord.

6

Vinnufossen, Norway - 860 m (2,822 ft)

VinnufossenSource: “Vinnufossen” via Wikipedia, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vinnufossen,_Sunndal,_Norway_(front).jpg

Located just east of the village of Sunndalsora in the municipality of Sunndal in More og Romsdal county, Norway, Vinnufossen is the tallest waterfall in Europe and the sixth tallest in the world. It is a part of the river Vinnu which flows down from the Vinnufjellet Mountain and it is fed from the Vinnufonna Glacier.

5

Yumbilla Falls, Peru - 896 m (2,940 ft)

Yumbilla FallsSource: http://www.wondermondo.com, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phaqcha_Yumbilla_(Amarumayu_jach'a_suyu).jpg

Hidden deep in lush rainforests in the northern Peruvian region of Amazonas, the Yumbilla Falls is a spectacular, 896 m (2,940 ft) tall waterfall. It became known internationally as recently as in 2007, when a report of researchers from Peru’s National Geographic Institute was published in national newspapers and then in international media.

4

Oloupena Falls, Hawaii, US - 900 m (2,953 ft)

MolokaiSource: tripbucket.com, image: Image is of another waterfall in Molokai, Hawaii. No CC image availabe for Oloupena Falls

The Oloupena Falls is a waterfall located in the north-eastern part of the Hawaiian Island of Molokai, and with its stunning height of 900 m (2,953 ft) is considered to be the fourth highest waterfall in the world. It has formed on a short, seasonal stream and is falling over the edge of one of the tallest sea-side cliffs of the world.

3

Tres Hermanas Falls, Peru - 914 m (2,999 ft)

Peruwaterfall2Source: adventure.howstuffworks.com, image: Image is for illustration only. No CC image of Tres Hermanas Falls available

Located in the protected Parque Nacional Otishi National Forest in Peru, Tres Hermanas Falls (translated as “Waterfalls of the Three Sisters”) is the third tallest waterfalls in the world. It rises an astonishing 914 m (2,999 ft) and is named for the three distinctive tiers, or steps, that interrupt the flow.

2

Tugela Falls, South Africa - 948 m (3,110 ft)

Tugela FallsSource: "World's tallest waterfalls by total overall height" via Wikipedia, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tugela_Falls_drop-off.jpg

Tugela Falls is a complex of seasonal waterfalls located in the Royal Natal National Park in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. It is generally accepted as the world’s second-tallest waterfall but it actually might be the world´s tallest waterfall, rather than the Angel Falls. The combined total drop of its 5 free-leaping falls is 948 m (3,110 ft) but a Czech scientific expedition recently took new measurements, making it 983 m (3,225 ft) tall.

1

Angel Falls, Venezuela - 979 m (3,212 ft)

Angel FallsSource: “Angel Falls” via Wikipedia, image: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Falls

Located at the edge of the Auyantepui Mountain in the Canaima National Park in the Gran Sabana region of Bolívar State, Venezuela, the Angel Falls is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a staggering height of 979 m (3,212 ft) and a plunge of 807 m (2,648 ft). Although the waterfalls is situated in isolated jungle and is difficult to access, it became one of the most popular tourist attractions of the country.



Image Credits: 1. Yosemite via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 3.0, 2. Andynct via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 4.0, 3-4 Shutterstock, 5. Fregopie via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 3.0, 6. Carl S Bj via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 3.0, 7-8. Shutterstock, 9. Klaus Johansson via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 4.0, 10. Public Domain, 11. Shutterstock, 12. Sindre via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY 2.0, 13-14. Shutterstock, 15. Public Domain, 16. Elemaki via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY 3.0, 17. Bart Wursten via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 3.0, 18-19. Shutterstock, 20. Svein-Magne Tunli via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 3.0, 21. Public Domain, 22-23. Shutterstock, 24. Håvard Thoen via en.wikipedia.org CC BY 2.0, 25. Shutterstock.