Travel for Waterfalls

Image by Chantelle Flores

Travel for Waterfalls

If you are into chasing waterfalls then this post is just for you.

Travel for Waterfalls

Image by Chantelle Flores

“Water is the most perfect traveller because when it travels it becomes the path itself!”

Mehmet Murat ildan

There is something so special and mystifying about standing at the base of a waterfall. Without water, there is no life. It is a precious, life-sustaining natural resource that we simply cannot live without.

As beautiful as they are powerful, their majesty cannot be ignored. They are as calming as they are energising, and deliver a cool refuge and a powerful reminder of nature’s forces.

Here are a few of our favourite waterfalls from three countries – Iceland, Philippines and Portugual. 

Gullfoss – Iceland

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

Marvel at the dramatic display and beauty of the untouched forces of nature when standing at the edge of Gullfoss. This impressive two-tiered waterfall is famed at being Iceland’s most iconic waterfall and falls part of the Golden Circle tourist route.

Created in the Ice Age by catastrophic flood waves, glacier water from Langjökull, plummets down 32 meters into the Gullfossgljúfur crevasse. The base of the falls is just barely hidden from the viewing point, as water cascades down two distinct steps which fall at 90-degree angles to one another.

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

The 2,5km rugged canyon has walls on both sides that reaches heights of up to 70 meters and is said to lengthen 25cm each year by constant erosion of the water.  

If you are lucky – witness the spectacular of thousands of rainbows that grace its presence. 

Skógafoss  – Iceland

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

Only a few kilometers away from the south shores of Iceland you will find the astonishing waterfall of Skógafoss.

With a drop of 60 meters and a width of 25meters you will be mesmerized by one of Icelands largest waterfalls. Interestingly, the dramatic cliff from which these falls descend from used to be the coastline, which has now receded in a seaward direction about 5 km.

Image by Chantelle Flores  51countriesandcounting.com

Legend or fact?

It is not just a pretty site – it holds some mystery to it as well. It is claimed that the first viking settler in this area, Þrasi Þórólfsson buried a treasure chest filled with gold behind the falls and is still waiting to be found. There has been many attempts to date to retrieve the chest, however  locals where only able to grasp the ring of the chest which is now on display at a Skogar museum nearby.

For a moving experience, stand at the base of the falls witnessing the gallons of water this waterfall has been tossing for thousands and thousands of years. Nearly every day you will notice a rainbow. 

A famous movie location

Movies like Thor: The Dark World and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty where shot here.

Seljalandsfoss  – Iceland

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

Seljalandsfoss is another one of Iceland’s most picturesque waterfalls found in close proximity to Skógafoss. Both fall from cliffs of the same height, but what makes Seljalandsfoss unique is that it has a cave behind it, which means it can be fully encircled.

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

A footpath leading behind the 63 meters cascade that plummets down into  a deep pool is a favourite for photographers looking to photograph this fall from every possible angle.

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

Poço da Alagoinha, Azores – Portugual 

Image by: Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

When you think of Portugal, white sandy exotic beaches and crystal clear waters with gentle waves come to mind. But there is a whole other side to Portugal that includes a whole bunch of breathtaking waterfalls.

In the most western point of Europe in the Azores you will find a tiny island whose trademark is waterfalls – The Flores Island.  This 43km2 floating garden paradise in the middle of the Atlantic will just leave you in awe of its unsurpassed beauty.

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

It received  UNESCO biosphere status in 2009 in an effort to protect the unspoiled natural surroundings. It is here that you will find a breathtaking mountainscape that is dotted with 20 300 metr high waterfalls trickling into a calm lagoon. The hike to the Poço da Alagoinha falls takes you through some incredibly lush forests and eventually lead you to the foot of small lake. 

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

Since silence rules this place, and no other tourists will be in sight, you can share in a magical and romantic moment.

Casaroro Falls – Philippines

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

Lodged deep into the rock crevices of the rugged Valencia mountains, lies one of the Negro Oriental’s most sought after waterfalls – the Casaroro Falls.

When you reach the parking lot the real adventure begins. The trek in isn’t for the fainthearted – these majestic falls are worth battling down 350 steep stairs descending downwards into the mountain. Once down, a strenuous trek through forest terrain, crossing over streams and climbing over natural boulders is on the cards.

Image by: Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

There are no clear paths to the falls leaving a lot of the hike up to guesswork. Fallen bridges once serving a pathway to the falls, are now merely ruins.

The grand display from mother nature is the reward for the enduring the hike. 

Measuring in at 30 metres, these falls are the size of a ten-storey building. You cannot comprehend the size of these falls until you are standing face to face with them.

Image by: Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

Making Casaroro unique from other waterfalls is that it is considerably narrow instead of the usual wide cascade. Don’t be fooled though the volume of gashing waters as it drops heavily causing a raw as it hits the deep cold basin below it.

Cambugahay Falls – Philippines

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

The crystal clear blue tropical waters of the Cambugahay falls in Siquijor will entice all your senses.

A steep natural stone staircase leads you to a scenic three-tiered waterfall surrounded by a lush green rainforest. The pools are reminiscent of Palawan’s famed Kayangan Lake, and It is one of the most instagrammable places in the Philippines.

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

Stand in amazement at the colour of the water that originates from the natural springs.  It’s a powdery turquoise blue and rises three times forming natural swimming pools that are inviting. The water flows about 3 kilometers eventually discharging into Lazi Bay.

Image by Chantelle Flores 51countriesandcounting.com

The Tarzan swing on the first level of the waterfall, put Cambugahay falls on the tourist map.

Like what you see? All these images are for sale as print products on the 51 Countries and Counting travel blog. Click here to see more.

Tags: