Cool off this summer！ A special feature on the world’s most beautiful waterfalls

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin

 

During summer trips, there's always a desire to get close to the powerful rush of waterfalls. The rising mist carries away the summer heat, and the thunderous sound of water cascading down from the mountaintops allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature amidst the lush valleys and forests. Meanwhile, there are fascinating waterfalls around the world waiting for travelers to explore.

Millions of years ago, when glaciers retreated, they carved out a vast U-shaped valley here. Tributary glaciers on either side of the main glacier also left many shallower hanging valleys along the valley walls. Each year after the mountain snow melts, the meltwater flows down these hanging valleys and spills over their edges, forming a series of waterfalls suspended on the cliffs. Among these, the most famous is Yosemite Falls, which is divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, with a total drop of 739.14 meters. It is the tallest waterfall in North America and ranks sixth in the world. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

The Düden Waterfalls are divided into upper and lower sections. The upper falls have carved out a stunning 14-kilometer-long canyon northeast of Antalya. Following the terrain of the falls, numerous nature trails have been created that go up and down, occasionally dipping into caves. From different angles and at every turn, the overwhelming power of the cascading water can be felt. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

Canada — Niagara Falls

As daylight fades, a spectrum of colorful lights gives the mighty Niagara Falls a gentle and enchanting appearance. Except for the winter months from January to April, there is almost a light show every day. Starting at sunset, beams of various colors are gradually projected onto the falls—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, and white. Since the color changes aren’t too rapid, the atmosphere is more soothing than startling. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

Horseshoe Falls, which belongs to Canada, is 792 meters wide and accounts for about 90% of Niagara Falls’ flow, several times larger than the American Falls, thus forming the first impression of Niagara Falls for most people. The mighty waters of the upper Niagara River, roaring like a stampede, suddenly plunge 53 meters down here, creating a misty curtain that rises halfway up the cliff, almost concealing the falls. The horseshoe-shaped waterfall resembles a giant hole in the earth, making humans seem as tiny as ants before this roaring beast, inevitably inspiring awe for the greatness of creation. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

Viewing the American Falls from the U.S. side or the Canadian side offers two completely different experiences. From the American side, you can feel the awe-inspiring power of the massive water crashing down beside you, with good views available on Goat Island and from the Observation Tower near the falls. But if you want to see the full frontal view of the falls, you’ll have to return to the Canadian side, where the viewing platform at the end of Clifton Hill Road offers the best vantage point directly facing the American Falls. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

After leaving Banff, drive into the Bow Valley Parkway, and in less than 20 minutes, you’ll arrive at Johnston Canyon. Johnston Canyon is the result of the long-term battle between Johnston Creek and the limestone and dolomite rocks. Over ten thousand years ago, Johnston Creek originally flowed into the Bow River from Mt. Ishbel, five kilometers to the east. But an eight-thousand-year-old landslide blocked its path, forcing the creek to carve a new route and eventually forming Johnston Canyon. As the softer limestone was worn away by the creek, the more resistant dolomite held firm, creating drops in the canyon and forming seven waterfalls. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

 

 

Germany — Triberg Waterfalls

Triberg is the heart of the Black Forest. This forest is not only rich in wildlife but also home to Germany’s highest waterfall. Triberg Waterfalls has seven levels with a total drop of 163 meters. There are three trails from the entrance to the top: the Nature Route, the Culture Route, and the Short Route. The Nature Route takes about an hour and a half; the Culture Route passes by a pilgrimage church before looping back to the falls and takes about an hour; the Short Route goes straight up along the falls and takes about 45 minutes, with frequent sprays of mist from the waterfall refreshing your face along the way. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

Lauterbrunnen, literally translated, means “Town of Falls,” and this area is home to 72 cascading waterfalls. The town’s most famous waterfall is Staubbach Falls. It is the second-highest free-falling waterfall in Europe, but due to its relatively low water volume, the waterfall dissipates like mist halfway down. In German, “Staub” means “dust.” (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)