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

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

 

During summer travels, 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 roar of water cascading down from the mountaintops allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature amidst the lush valleys and forests. And around the world, there are fascinating waterfalls waiting for travelers to visit.

Millions of years ago, when glaciers retreated, they carved out a vast U-shaped valley here. The tributary glaciers on either side of the main glacier also left many shallower hanging valleys along the upper sides of the valley. So every year after the snow on the mountains melts, the meltwater flows down along these hanging valleys, and when it reaches the edge of the cliffs, it becomes a series of waterfalls hanging high on the rock faces. Among these waterfalls, the most famous is Yosemite Falls, which is divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, with a total drop of 739.14 meters, making it the tallest waterfall in North America and the sixth tallest in the world. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

The Düden Waterfalls are divided into upper and lower sections. The upper falls cut through a beautiful 14-kilometer-long canyon northeast of Antalya. Following the terrain of the falls, numerous natural trails have been formed, going up and down, sometimes diving into caves. From different angles and at every turn, the overwhelming power of the cascading water can be seen. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

Canada — Niagara Falls

As the sky gradually darkens, the seven-colored lights give the mighty Niagara Falls a gentle and enchanting expression. Except for the winter months from January to April, there is almost a light show every day. Starting from sunset, beams of different colors are projected onto the falls. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, and white all appear. Since the color changes are not too rapid, the atmosphere is more soothing than startling. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

Belonging to Canada, Horseshoe Falls is 792 meters wide, accounting for about 90% of Niagara Falls’ flow, several times larger than the American Falls, and thus forms the first impression of Niagara Falls for most people. The mighty waters of the upper Niagara River, roaring like a herd of horses, suddenly plunge 53 meters down here, creating a misty curtain that rises halfway up the sky, almost hiding the falls within. The circular 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 the Creator. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

Viewing the American Falls from the U.S. side and the Canadian side offers two completely different experiences. From the American side, you can feel the stunning impact 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 view of the falls head-on, you’ll probably need 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 limestone and dolomite. 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 find a new route, eventually carving out Johnston Canyon. As the more easily eroded limestone gave way to the creek, the 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 routes from the entrance to the top: the Nature Route, the Culture Route, and the Short Cut 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, taking about an hour; the Short Cut Route goes straight up along the waterfall, taking about 45 minutes, with the abundant mist from the falls occasionally sprinkling on your face along the way. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)

 

Lauterbrunnen, if interpreted literally, means “the town of waterfalls.” This area has 72 waterfalls cascading down, and the most famous one in town is Staubbach Falls. Staubbach Falls is the second highest free-falling waterfall in Europe, but due to its relatively low water volume, the waterfall dissipates like dust halfway down. In German, “Staub” means “dust.” (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)