If you’re like me, as a kid, you probably enjoyed throwing heavy objects off super-high buildings, just to see how long it took and what they looked like when they smashed. As a responsible adult, I now get my pleasure in gazing at water falling from extremely high cliffs and splashing into the rocks. It’s quite spectacular. We wanted to find out more, so we decided to research what the tallest waterfalls in the world were, measured by the highest drops.
10. Ramnefjells Walls (Ramnefjellsfossen)
Located in the county of Sogn og Fjordane in the township of Stryn, Nesdalen in Norway, the Ramnefjellsfossen waterfall is a series of horsetail cascades with the tallest single drop measuring 1,968 feet (600 meters). However, the total height, if we include all the smaller cascades from the end of the Ramnefjellsbreen Glacier and those below the main point, is 2,685 feet (818 meters). Because of the small flow of water coming from the Jostedal Glacier, it was never used for hydroelectric purposes, unlike other waterfalls in Norway.
9. Kukenam Falls
The Kukenam Falls, also known as Cuquenan Falls, has the largest plunge waterfall in the world. Located in Salto, on the Guyana-Venezuelan border, it's famous for the tallest single drop of 2,000 feet (610 meters). It springs from the 8,620 feet (2,627 m) high Kukenaam Mountain and falls towards the Kukenan Tepui, plunging into the Arabopo river on the Cuquenan Plateau at Mata Hui. If you're in Venezuela, don't miss it!
8. Lang Falls (Langfoss)
Located in Horadland, western Norway, Langfoss is a cascade that falls for a total of 2,008 feet (612 meters) before it leaps out into Åkrafjorden. Because the European route E134 runs along the base of the waterfall, many people get to stop by for pictures or just to admire the majestic natural phenomenon; one of the main reasons some consider it to be the most beautiful waterfall in the world.
7. Alfred Creek Falls
Alfred Creek is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. It runs off of the Alfred Glacier and cascades down a solid bedrock wall for 700 meters before slamming onto a large alluvial fan. Located in the Sunshine Coast in Canada, the estimated height of the waterfall is 2,296 feet (700 meters).
6. Kjerag Waterfalls (Kjeragfossen)
Kjerag, also known as Kiragg, is a Norwegian mountain, located in Lysefjorden, the Rogaland county. It’s famous for its big stone, plugged between two big rocks, its great climbing and diving, and its extremely tall waterfall, which plunges for 2,345 feet (715m). The view is spectacular, so remember to take your camera!
5. Mana'wai'nui Falls
In Maui, Hawaii (not exactly the first place I expected to discover a huge waterfall) lie the Mana'wai'nui Falls. In native Hawaiian, it means "many spirited waters". That's because during the rainy season, as many as 25 segmented horsetails are formed. The tallest single drop of the Mana'wai'nui Falls is 2,360 feet (719m).
4. Ølmäa Falls (Ølmäafossen)
In Rauma, the Møre Og Romsdal province of Norway, just west of Mongefossena, lies the tallest waterfall in Europe and it’s a horsetail-type. Strangely enough, it doesn’t have a name; Ølmäafossen is just used to refer it to it in conversation! The water comes from the small glacier on the Romsdalen plateaus and falls down slowly. The drop is 2,362 feet (720m) high.
3. Monge Falls (Mongefossen)
Mongefossen, in Norway, is the tallest waterfall in the country with a total drop estimated to be at 2,535 feet (773m). Most of its water is used for hydroelectric production, which is the main reason why it's dry most of the year – unless you get there during the great thawing of the snow (mid-spring to mid-summer).
2. Waihilau Falls
In Hawaii’s large Waimanu Valley, the Waihilau Falls are the second tallest in the world, with an estimated drop of 2,600 feet (792m). For hikers, the valley is extremely fascinating: the whole area was abandoned in 1940 and it has become one of the few unaltered and unspoiled locations in Hawaii. And if you get to see a "monstrous" rainbow, the word “beautiful” will not adequately describe what you’ll see.
1. Angel Falls
The tallest waterfall in the world with a total height of 3,212 feet (979m) and a clear drop measuring 2,648 feet (807m), Angel Falls (Kerepakupai merú ) located in the Canaima National Park, in the Gran Sabana region of Bolivar State, Venezuela. The first to discover the waterfall was Ernesto de Santa Cruz in 1910. Notwithstanding this, the story of pilot Jimmy Angel who first saw the falls in 1937 (and subsequently nose-dived into them) is far more famous. Luckily, he and all the passengers escaped unharmed and received near-legendary status in Venezuela. Angel Falls were named after him. They are also known as Kerepakupai merú (in the indigenous language) which means "fall from the deepest place."
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54 comments
Gorilla Safari (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 2pm
wow, great pictures and information. I have the same (boyish) love for nature and beauty
Kris (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 5pm
where the heck is yosemite falls?
Agreed... this list is not accurate.
http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall.php?num=9
santacruzer (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 5pm
Yosemite Valley has several falls that should be on this list. Yosemite Falls drops over 2400 feet, and is considered one of the most beautiful (and most photographed!) in the world.
bif (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 5pm
What happened to the Tugela Falls in the Drakensberg in South Africa? At 947m it is the second-highest in the world.
Ibegtodiffer (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 5pm
Forgot the real 2nd highest waterfall on earth:
Tugela Falls
http://www.world-waterfalls.com/waterfall.php?num=2
tatyana (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 6pm
It's so wonderful, should say
And done is in a perfect way!
SS (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 6pm
Another sweet pic of the Angel Falls in Venezuela:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/creativeclouds/2586474214/
waterfall wally (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 7pm
bogus list..
U left off yosemite, as well as the falls in new zealand
along the milford track.
Josiah (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 7pm
Incredible. Anyone else want to go get lost in that valley in Hawaii? That's more amazing to me than the waterfalls. *_*
Alex Ion (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 7pm
Guys the article is about waterfalls with the "Tallest Single Drop".
Tugela Falls or Yosemite Falls are taller but not when it comes to the tallest single drop. Here is the list sorted after the drop : http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/database.php?s=N&t=H&orderby=singledrop&sortLimit=300
Jonny (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 8pm
another cool one is Della Falls on Vancouver Island BC it has a single vertical drop of 440M
Bryan Swan (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 8pm
Just FYI, the top and bottom left pictures you posted for Waihilau Falls aren't Waihilau. Bottom left one is Hi'ilawe Falls in Waipio Valley (same area) and the top one is Wailikani Falls in Waimanu Valley (two drainages north of Waihilau Falls).
Dean Goss (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 9pm
The trouble with compiling a list like this is that different people see waterfalls in different ways, and there is a fair amount of controversy about which waterfalls should be considered or omitted. My accomplice at the World Waterfall Database and I have set our database in such a way as to sort by total height or tallest individual drop. Over the years that Bryan and I have maintained the WWD, we've been taken to task by dozens of people who took exception to the data, particularly when they felt that their local favorite (a certain overzealous Niagara Falls tour guide comes to mind...) was somehow slighted. Further complicating the issue is exactly where to "spot" the top and bottom of a waterfall formation. In response to the sometimes stinging criticism we've occasionally received, we've put up a couple of relevant pages: http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/measurement.php and http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/myths.php
These pages are displayed to illuminate our line of thought when it comes to a waterfall. By accepting a broader definition of a waterfall, it's possible that there are a few possibilities of waterfalls that may even exceed Angel Falls in height over a similar length of riverbed. For instance, Angel Falls is 3212' tall over a distance of roughly half a kilometer. There's a waterfall in the Indian Himalayas that loses about 4000' over roughly one kilometer. Not to say that it's comparable to Angel Falls, but a comparison COULD be tenuously argued. Not quite ready to open that can of worms just yet...
John Bluefoot (not verified) says:
Jun 17th, 2008 at 10pm
totally sick waterfalls man. Nice compilation.
JT
http://www.FireMe.To/udi
Andrew (not verified) says:
Jun 18th, 2008 at 2am
Where is Tugela Falls? It is only 30 meters shorter than Angel Falls. http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall.php?num=2
Joe Liar (not verified) says:
Jun 18th, 2008 at 8am
Where is Alfred Falls and Alfred Glacier? I live in the Sunshine Coast area and I can't find them anywhere. Not in wikipedia, maps, or google. Love to visit it.
The Wonderer (not verified) says:
Jun 18th, 2008 at 9am
Uh ... #4 is the tallest in Europe, and then #3 is the tallest in Norway? Norway is in Europe...
altavista (not verified) says:
Jun 18th, 2008 at 10am
view more amazing nature photos here http://runningthebeauty.com.ua/?cat=165
Watch Hulk (not verified) says:
Jun 18th, 2008 at 1pm
Totally insane and simply amazing to see them in real life.
Vagabundo (not verified) says:
Jun 18th, 2008 at 4pm
Beatiful. Thanks for sharing this pictures. This is Acapulco, Mexico.
vishwesh (not verified) says:
Jun 18th, 2008 at 4pm
i liked your effort,continually upgrade your skill and you will get rewarded one day.Nature always admires us,only this can be said,seeing these pictures.
WorldWaterfalls (not verified) says:
Jun 20th, 2008 at 2pm
Beautiful images, though there is much debate over which are the world's tallest waterfalls and what the criteria is.
Jimmy Angel actually crash landed his plane on the plateau ABOVE the falls, apparently his plane is still there!
Darren Sweet
WorldWaterfalls.com
VRUSHANI THAKER (not verified) says:
Jun 21st, 2008 at 8am
veri nice
It looks like a place very different.
Nature has really endowed it with its unending beauty.
JESSE (not verified) says:
Jun 21st, 2008 at 9pm
Angel Falls or Salto Angel, is the best so far..I have been there twice, there is a trip from Caracas aboard a DC-9 or Boeing 757 to Canaima (Canaima is a hotel near Angel Falls) this hotel has its own airport, from there you can visit several interesting places around, and yes, the accept Credit Cards..!! they have a flight on a DC-3 to Angel Falls so you can take aerial pictures, if you want to walk to the Falls, you need to be healthy..!! is a canoe trip and then walk..a long walk. If you enjoy Indiana Jones..this trip is for you!!
walter (not verified) says:
Jun 21st, 2008 at 10pm
Awesome photos. It is great fun to fly over and around these water falls. Climbing is the experienced!
JESSE (not verified) says:
Jun 21st, 2008 at 10pm
About Jimmy Angel's airplane, it was rescued by the venezuelan air force in 1967 and it is now at display at the Museo del Transporte in Caracas.
More about Angel Falls, bring enough batteries and film for your camera..you will be deep in the amazon jungle, the nearest Kodak store is at 4 hours flight!! also a large plastic bag is handy in order to keep your electronics dry, from the daily rain showers..very common in the amazon!!
pepheedgick (not verified) says:
Dec 19th, 2008 at 12am
Hello
As a fresh www.environmentalgraffiti.com user i only want to say hello to everyone else who uses this site B-)
Mian Safdar Ali Shah (not verified) says:
Feb 2nd, 2009 at 4pm
WOW.
Beutiful. Thanks for sharing this pictures.
great pictures and information
charlene martin (not verified) says:
Feb 9th, 2009 at 10pm
aren't the tugela falls in the drakensberg range in so. africa thee second tallest at 3,102' ?
Corrie (not verified) says:
Apr 7th, 2009 at 12pm
What about the Tugela falls in South Africa (947 m) ?
Adrian (not verified) says:
May 29th, 2009 at 1am
The Tugela Falls (850 m (948 m (Encyclopædia Britannica)) in South Africa is the second highest waterfall in the world.
Gia noelle (not verified) says:
Jun 21st, 2009 at 5pm
Kauai (Hawaii) has some pretty amazing waterfalls too. You should check them out. 'Jurassic Park' as well as 'Lost' was filmed there. Just to give you an idea of what kind of place it is.
JoAnna (not verified) says:
Jun 23rd, 2009 at 4pm
There is something about waterfalls that is fantastically fascinating ~ thanks for the great post!
cesar (not verified) says:
Jul 2nd, 2009 at 7pm
hello
just a little correction about angels fall, which is not its real name, the real name is Kerepakupai merú , as you well stated, im sorry to tell you, but you got wrong the jimmy angel story, it never happened...
it was Félix Cardona Puig, who SHOWED from the air the falls to Mr angel
why am i so sure?
yes, i am from venezuela, and i study my country...
please, do a deep research next time...
here is one link (in spanish)
http://www.aporrea.org/actualidad/a34663.html
second paragraph is very helpfull
thank you
nikita (not verified) says:
Aug 12th, 2009 at 9am
Number 2: Info incorrect! Tugela Waterfall in South Africa is the second highest. Check your facts again. :)
highest waterfalls (not verified) says:
Aug 25th, 2009 at 10am
Waterfalls really are amazingly beautiful and powerful forces of nature!Spectacular pictures of the waterfalls. Great job with this article!
Henno Kruger (not verified) says:
Sep 30th, 2009 at 7am
Hey there. What about Tugela falls which is the 2nd highest in the world, in the Drakensberg in South Africa?
Louis (not verified) says:
Oct 11th, 2009 at 9pm
The Tugela falls in the Mont Aux Sources, Natal Drakensberg, Royal Natal National Park in the Republic of South Africa are the second highest falls in the world:
http://www.world-waterfalls.com/waterfall.php?num=2
http://fizzyenergy.com/the-world-tallest-and-largest-waterfalls/
Hafiz Hafeez Sheikhupura (not verified) says:
Dec 6th, 2009 at 8am
is a good web but many pictures have been collect. these pictures should be one by one. thank you. Sheikhupuranews
ABID HUSSAIN (not verified) says:
Dec 26th, 2009 at 5am
very beutifull falls images these are, it looks like the gift of the GOD for all mankind and blessing for the enviorment.
ulrich bester (not verified) says:
Jan 8th, 2010 at 8am
hi, what about thukela falls in south africa - 947meters!
HARI (not verified) says:
Jan 19th, 2010 at 9am
what about the Rat tail falls in India which was announced one of the tallest waterfall in the world in 1940.so which place its holding now / can you clarify?
brett (not verified) says:
Thanks for the awesomeness