Why YOU Should Chase Waterfalls

Make your life count! Chasing waterfalls gives you a goal and fills your life with things that matter and make a positive impact. Break out and discover you!

Watching a waterfall has an immediate effect by increasing your serotonin levels, which results in improving your mood, decreases depression and anxiety, lessens stress levels, and peacefulness increases your energy levels and leaves you with a feeling of happiness, joy, and awe. The journey to the waterfall can be exhilarating, but the destination is mind-blowing and rewarding. Falling water represents life, reinforces faith and spiritual awareness, and existence. It is not the relevance of how big, small, high, or powerful that waterfall may be, it is the relevance of that moment.

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How are Waterfalls formed?

To chase a waterfall, you need to understand how they are formed so you have a clear picture in mind. Knowledge brings understanding.

Waterfalls take centuries to form. They start at young deep and narrow rivers, usually in the upper course of the river. The bedrock consists of hard rock and underneath is soft rock. Abrasion starts to take place and the softer rock underneath starts to get eroded. The softer rock erodes more quickly and rapids start to occur. Eventually, the harder rock also starts to get eroded. The vertical drop forms over time as more and more soft rock gets eroded. Hydraulic action and abrasion start to create a rock pool at the base of the water falling. I call the creation of a waterfall, God’s masterpiece of nature!

The movement of the earth’s crust and the movement of glaciers can cause waterfalls.

7 Different Types of Waterfalls

You need to comprehend the different types of waterfalls to see which type you would like to chase. Every time you visit a waterfall you will encounter a different type. This makes each visit a dissimilar, diverse, rare destination. You will undergo new emotions for each one. No two are the same. Try and visit at least one of each.

The classification of waterfalls is relevant to scientists. They also need to know the best waterfalls for hydroelectric power. different types are also relevant to me. I want to see them all!

Ribbon Waterfalls

Ribbon waterfalls you often see when flying over terrain. Their fall is long and vertical and a narrow stream, prior to reaching the bottom. They are fugacious and normally only can be seen during or just after a rainy season. They resemble a “ribbon”, and therefore are named as such. As the water impacts down, the pool at the base can be rather deep.

Slide Waterfalls

As the name dictates, the water “slides” down from the river above at a low-sloping angle. some of these slide waterfalls can be huge, but the impact on the pool below is gentler.

Segmented Waterfalls

Truly beautiful to view! The water source gushes out from two or numerous different segments or threads.

Tiered Waterfalls

The movement of waterfalls goes from one level to the next. One tier to another.

Sheet or Block Waterfalls

So unimaginably astounding! Some of these waterfalls are so wide and gigantic! The waterfall comes from a wide river and descends rather like a rectangle or curtain.

Fan & Horsetail Waterfalls

Both fan and horsetail waterfalls share common characteristics. The water does not leave the rock it is flowing over, therefore the rock does erode far more quicker. The waterfalls are rather high and truly magnificent as they seem to blend and be part of the rock they are flowing over.

Plunge Waterfalls

My absolute favoured choice! These waterfalls drop straight down without touching the cliff face. Plunge waterfalls are the oldest waterfalls. They create enough spray to erode the cliff and you will find caves behind. Often you can go behind the waterfall into the cave. When walking in the caves be careful the rock you walk on is slippery. The plunge pools below the falls can be marvelous to swim in.

“Water is the most perfect traveler because when it travels it becomes the path itself!” – Mehmet Murat Ildan

How do I get to the different Waterfalls?

Most waterfalls all over the world do require a walk, a short hike, or an extended hike to get to. Hiking adds to the journey and the reward is the waterfall. Have a look at my blog on Hiking Beginner Tips for Seniors: Crucial points to know. It will get you started and going. Adventure travel most certainly spices up your life.

Huge international tourist waterfalls, you can drive to or go on motorcycle tours and observe the view from the top, or at a distance. If you can, take up hiking! The pleasure of standing next to or venturing behind is incomparable. Cycle tours to waterfall destinations also occur, but often include a bit of a hike.

Awe-inspiring tours are offered to wonderful waterfalls all over the world, Visit by train, or plane and fly over these beautiful waterfalls by helicopter.

7 Most Awe-inspiring Waterfalls in the World

Trümmelbach Falls – Switzerland

Lauterbrunnen Valley, in Switzerland, is known as the land of 72 waterfalls. I mention these stunning, splendid falls first, as they are so different. At the Trümmelbach Falls, you will be able to view 10 different falls inside a mountain. Water comes down from the glacier. The thunderous noise is incredible as 20 000 tons of boulders, rock, and talus are carried by the water. Up to 20 000 liters of water are carried downwards every second. These are regarded as Europe’s largest subterranean waterfalls and they are a natural UNESCO World Heritage site.

You go in a cave-like environment and up a lift to where you have access to the topmost waterfalls. Even at the top, you need to climb a further 204 steps. The stairs from the bottom would take you forever to climb. From leaving the lift onto the platform and over a bridge and lit paths, you need to go up an incline of stairs, and there before you is the magnificence! On the way down take the stairs and go out onto the platforms to see the different angles of the falls.

Make sure you wear a raincoat and good secure hiking shoes with a grip sole, as you will not get away with not getting wet. The spray has no consideration for who is coming to visit! Also, walk slowly and carefully as everything is slippery.

Lookout platforms and passageways go through the mountain and you can go onto and amongst the deafening thunderous noise to admire how these waterways have sculptured out the rockface. Nowhere else in the world will you see anything like it!

Some fabulous hotels to stay at can be found on booking.com which will give you time to go see these spectacular falls.

Victoria Falls – border of Zambia and Zimbabwe – known as Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘the Smoke that Thunders’,

Have you ever had a moment where you are brought to tears by viewing something so stunning and glorious? Victoria Falls is one of these moments. The falls are in two countries. Zambia and Zimbabwe. Put your hiking shoes on, there is so much to see! You need to decide from which side you are going to start. They are one of the 7 Wonders of the World and an official Wonder of the World. At 108 meters (354 ft) high and 1,708 meters (5,604 ft) wide, roughly twice the height of the North American Niagara Falls, these falls are a must to see at least once in your lifetime.

The ZIMBABWE side of Victoria Falls has far more angles and expansive views from which you can see the falls, including the Devil’s Cataract (morning rainbows are just the best), Main Falls (the best time to catch the rainbows is in the afternoon), Danger Point (don’t leave here too late as the falls close by 6 pm), Rainbow Falls and the Horseshoe Falls.

I would get a tour guide to guide you around. Some areas can be dangerous, especially in the Rainforest. Most of the paths are easy to follow and have barriers, but in some areas, there are no barriers and these can be precarious. Information will be shared about the falls that you will lose out on if you go alone.

Why not stay on the Zimbabwean side for a couple of nights then move over to the Zambian side? My recommendation would be the Ilala Lodge Hotel and Stanley and Livingstone Boutique Hotel. I personally love boutique hotels. Ilala Lodge is the closest to the falls and is a family-run hotel. You can actually see the spray of the falls and hear the crashing. Scrumptious cuisine at the Palm restaurant! Observe antelope and warthog as you chill in the evening, grazing close to you. You can also go on a river cruise.

Did you know that at night, when it is a full moon, you can see a rainbow over Victoria Falls? This is called a moonbow. The light will refract or bend in the churning mist and spray causing this rainbow throughout the night.

From the ZAMBIAN side, you can get to Livingstone Island and swim in the Devil’s Pool. You must go with a tour guide that has an exclusive operator’s license, not just any tour guide as if visited incorrectly it can be dangerous. Only 24 people at a time can visit the island. Wonderful to view the falls and have a picnic! The Devil’s Swim and Angel Pool Swim are well organized and recommended must! Awesome!

The hotel I recommend you stay at is the five-star Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara. Luxury, unique, comfortable, and just amazing!! Wildlife roams the grounds and you are so close to the falls. Have a massage alongside the Zambezi River, go on a helicopter ride, and view the magnificent falls below. A view from every window. Numerous restaurants to suit every tastebud! My best is the Boma Dinner!

Yosemite Falls – California

These towering falls are 740m high and are in Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, USA. The National Park is known for its roaring, dashing waterfalls! Hiking to the falls through forests and along with vertical faces of rock formations, you will observe the oldest trees in the world the giant sequoia trees. These trees can live up to 3000 years! The bark of these trees can be close to 1 m thick. They are known as giants due to the diameter around the trunk, close to 11 m. Image trying to place your arms around?

Hiking on the Yosemite valley floor amongst the wildlife and trees is a gentler way to get to view the falls and is clearly marked. The hike to the summit is another story. If you are an avid hiker, grab a guide. These guides are incredibly informative and you will learn so much about the national park, animals, birds, and waterfalls. Hiking to the top of the falls is beyond my capabilities and is very steep. It will take you approximately 7 hours. These falls are the tallest in North America.

As you walk along the woodland path, you hear the thunderous roar and once you cross over the bridge directly in front of the waterfall, you feel the spray as the waters share their strength and beauty with you.

Tours to this area are very popular as there is so much to see. Yosemite Minibus Tours are experienced and the guides add to the occasion.

When visiting these falls, I recommend staying at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. This lodge with 245 rooms is the closest to the falls. The wood and glass architecture blends well with the surroundings and was redesigned in 1998. All your comforts are there and yes, you can hire bicycles to cover more ground in the National Park.

Plitvice Waterfalls – Croatia

In a UNESCO World Heritage Site, of the Plitvice National Park, Croatia, the Plitvice Falls is a true beauty to behold!

The sparkling, crystal-clear water is everywhere. So sweet to taste. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a 295-sq.-km forest reserve. There are 16 different terraced lakes and if you love being in the presence of water, this is the place! Hiking here is a must and even over the waters, there are pathways that link lake to lake, adjoining the national park.

Staying inside the park is what I highly suggest. You do not want to waste time getting to the park, but rather relish your moments alongside the waters and being blessed by the astounding waterfall. Hotel Jezero, a three-star accommodation is extremely comfortable. A bit old-fashioned, but delicious food and a sauna and gym. All modern necessities are supplied and a delightful, friendly hotel. Don’t go to these falls for too short a period. One feels a touch of heaven as one wanders around.

Blakiston Falls, Bertha Falls, and Cameron Falls – all in the Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada

Did you know after a rainstorm, the Cameron Falls in Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada, the water flow is a distinctive pink after heavy rain? The red mudstone called argillite gets caught up in the rainwaters and causes the water to be pink.

Blakiston Falls can be reached by walking along a short hike along a paved walkway, from the Red Rock Canyon parking, over a bridge where you will have a magnificent view over the Red Rock Canyon until you reach the platform where you can view to falls. It is not a long hike but very rewarding when your destination is the waterfall.

Bertha Falls gives you an awesome view of Bertha Lake which is awesome. The hike to the top of Bertha Falls is 5.3 km. Even though it sounds like a short distance to the upper falls, the incline is steep through the sub-alpine forest and old-growth forest. If you are not an experienced hiker, go to the Lower Bertha Falls. This is a gentle hike and there are even benches on the way.

Cameron Falls turn pink after there is a thunderstorm, but generally, they are crystal clear. These falls are easy to get to and many fishermen take delight in fishing in the deep basin. You can basically park your car and walk over to view the waterfalls. After a hard rain, you can imagine the rush of the tourist to see if the waterfall has turned bright pink!

“The moment you touch something, you change it irreversibly, and forever. Any contact of any kind with anything results in change — change both in the thing and in you. You’re never the same again. You can’t be. And neither can it.“- John Kremer