Most beautiful waterfalls in the world?

I have three favorites:

1: Niagara Falls is by far the largest, most impressive set of waterfalls that I've ever seen. The view from the Canadian side is better, but I love walking along the green park spaces on the US side. If you take the boat, you'll get drenched.

2. Though Multnomah Falls is the most famous, I love all of the waterfalls along the old historic highway along the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It's an easy day trip just to drive from waterfall to waterfall and do quick hikes around the area.

3. One of my favorite waterfalls ever is a smaller fall I found on accident in Bejís near Camping los Cloticos. There's a place with a spring where people fill water bottles and have picnics. To the right, there's a narrow trail that leads down. You don't see it until you are nearly there and then all of the sudden, the vegetation opens up to this absolutely beautiful waterfall. People swim in the icy water beneath it and climb on the rocks nearby. Some will follow the river down where there are several smaller waterfalls.

Waimoku Falls in Maui, Hawaii.The road to Hana winds up through the rain forest with waterfalls and ocean views around every turn. Waimoku Falls is the "tallest" waterfall, but the entire drive is beautiful.  I think the sign at the beginning of the road reads something like "The road to Hana - 6 hours, 42 miles, 19 waterfalls, 50 one lane bridges and some ridiculous number (that I can't remember) of hairpin turns".  Completely worth it.

Iguazú Falls between Brazil/ Argentina/ Paraguay border!

Hola Jillian!  Niagara Falls (Velo de Novia) are very impressive! Being on board of the Maid of the Mist and close to them is even more powerful!! Unfortunately I just kept a video from our trip to Canada. Next time...I promise!! Here one pic from internet....

I would count in also Waterfall Rinka in Slovenia. Or during the winter, Peričnik Waterfall is beautiful. It freezes and climbers are able to climb on it. 

Slovenia is amazing!

There is a state park in Oregon, Silver Falls State Park, where you can do a day hike to ten pretty awesome falls within relatively close proximity to each other. At two of the big ones, the trail actually leads you behind the waterfall and the setting is beautifully green all year long. We shared pictures and details on our blog here: http://intentionaltravelers.com/oregons-best-kept-secret-silver-falls-state-park/

I've been to Iguazú Falls after a good rain (which happens often in the Amazon Rain Forrest). It makes Niagara look like a leaky bathroom sink. Incredibly large, loud & beautiful. Also, the road to Hana on Mauicontains so many small & large waterfalls - the seven sacred pools being the most impressive.

Judging by the fact that not one person has mentioned this waterfall, I would say that Kaieteur Falls in Guyana is not only one of the most spectacular, but it is the most under the radar. At 741 feet, it is almost five times higher than Niagara. Even better, it is surrounded by the most remote pristine rainforest in the world. Only way to get there is trek 5 days up the river or fly in to a remote air strip cut out in the middle of the jungle.

Iguazú Falls in Brazil/Argentina is breathtaking.

The view of Yosemite Falls from the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail and the hike to Upper Yosemite Falls are not only different, but allows you to feel the grandeur of mother nature every step of the way...

Well, Iceland has a pretty incredible selection of waterfalls. One of them, Goðafoss Sightseeing, stars as The Wall in A Game of Thrones on HBO when it freezes for winter. (I have a blog post that mentions it here.)

I also like the La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Costa Rica.

Iguazú Falls is one of the most impressive sights I have seen on the planet.

1) Havasu Falls, on the Havasu Indian Reservation (just west of Grand Canyon National Park)

2) Mürrenbachfall, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland:

3) Elves Chasm, Grand Canyon National Park:

4) Victoria Falls - Zambia/Zimbabwe:

5) Aberfeldy Falls  ("The Birks of Aberfeldy"), Scotland:

Bridal Veil Falls on Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron, Canada.  A thin veil of water, perhaps 75 feet wide, you can walk behind the falls, and wade in the water at the foot of the falls.  A beautiful, beautiful place.

Several of my suggestions have already been mentioned, Niagara Falls, which, like many natural wonders America shares with Canada, looks better on the Canadian side.  Kaua'i has several very amazing waterfalls, including the one shown in the opening of the original Jurassic Park movie.  The "road to hana" in Maui is a twisting, turning highway that takes you past a bunch of waterfalls.  In addition, I agree with the falls in Yosemite Valley (California) - Yosemite falls, Bridal Veil falls, etc.

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park.

Check out Trafalgar Falls at Morne Trois Pitons National Park on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean.  It's a great place to swim and sit in the hot pools at the base of the twin falls.  Cool place!

Also try Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia for beautiful waterfalls.

Iguazú Falls of course! They are breathtaking

I too would love to form a big trip taking in all the amazing waterfalls, but I'll settle for lots of little trips.

The sound of Niagara Falls never leaves you. Close your eyes when you're there and nature really does wow you. Cheesy but true.

I've never been but I hear Iguazú Falls on the Brazilian and Argentian border is ah! mazing!

Hi Jillian,

Good question... there is nothing like a great waterfall to just make you stop and stare in awe. 

Unfortunately those in California haven't been at their peak since the drought, but there are gorgeous ones in Yosemite National Park.

Here in the Bay Area, there is Alamere Falls which is cool because it runs into the ocean.

In Croatia both Krka National Park and Plitvice Lakes National Park had amazing waterfalls. While in Krka, I just sat for 20 minutes on the bridge just watching the huge waterfall. 

I really want to visit Havasu Falls and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park since they aren't so far away. 

Looking forward to what others have to say :)

Don't forget Angel Falls in Venezuela, the tallest waterfall in the world! It is an adventure to get there, but worth every second.

I saw Dettifoss in Iceland and it was amazing. I went around New Year's so the country was covered in white, and since it's in the northern part of the country there were 2 other people there. Regardless, it's beautiful.

The most beautiful waterfall I ever saw was in Mexico, near Zona Arqueológica Palenque. We took a  4 hour bus ride to a park called Agua Azul Waterfalls. Totally gorgeous place! We hiked back along the river to a fall that came out of an opening, framing a large upright rock, standing in front of the fall. With the sunlight shining through the water and mist, it was breathtaking. I'm sure things are quite different as i visited this park in 1975. Also check out the falls near Brevard, NC. It's known as the land of waterfalls.

Globally, some beautiful spots have been mentioned. A little closer to home, in Western NC, the Blue Ridge Escarpment is home to hundreds of waterfalls. Each is as unique as it is beautiful. Most of the popular falls are easily accessible and range from the largest on the east coast in Whitewater Falls to absolutely gorgeous scenes found at the Callusaja River Gorge. Check out ncwaterfalls.com for a list of the most popular spots.@

Hanakapi 'ai Falls on Kaua'i, pictures do not do it justice! A bit difficult to get to but the beautiful falls at the end make it all worth it!