I've been to loads of waterfalls and as I once noted "you hardly ever get a sh*t waterfall" (except a 'waterfall' the Great Ocean Road in Australia which was literally just a drip of water). So here's my top three from what I've seen - don't miss them! Please note this is a top three of waterfalls I've actually been to, so Angel Falls (Salto Angel, Venezuela and Victoria Falls in Africa don;t qualify...).
1. ICELAND: Gullfoss:
Gullfoss you might think is a surprise inclusion, alas you may never even have heard of it. But this incredible endless flow of gushing water in Iceland is phenomenal!! As you walk up towards Gullfoss you have absolutely no idea of how much water is flowing. When you arrive at the first viewing point you can only gasp in awe. If you are ever in Iceland, don't miss Gullfoss! To get there either hire a car, become part of a tour bus excursion to it or do the famous Golden Circle Tour (which I did). Entrance to the waterfall is FREE but you might feel obliged to have a coffee or buy a souvenir in the nearby shop.
2. Niagara Falls and Horsehoe Falls (on the border between CANADA and USA):
The Niagara Falls and Horseshoe Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. You can do it for free from the many viewing platforms in both Canada and the USA. The waterfall straddles the border and there's even a bridge you can cross to do passport and immigration. But the Maid of the Mist tour is the one I did which gets you up close and personal to the falls itself. You get wet and you get to keep your blue and white trademark poncho. You'll be flabbergasted by the immensity of this fall of water. You can still do this tour for less than $20 Canadian Dollars. Either that or stare down at it for free.
3. Iguazu Falls (BRAZIL and ARGENTINA):
SO the ongoing debate continues - which country is the best to view the Iguazu Falls from? And the answer is BOTH Argentina and Brazil. Plus the only way to experience it properly is actually to visit it from both sides, which I did in 2010 when I visited. Both National Parks are fairly close to each other and there are frequent border buses so you are best to view it from Both Argentina and Brazil. The Brazil one costs slightly more to get, which I noted, here's a rundown of them both:
Viewed from Argentina:
Reaching the Argentina side of the falls isn't that difficult. You can get a bus that goes along Ruta 12 - it leaves from the centre of Puerto Iguazu and heads along the main road into the national park. This also goes past the Hostel Inn Iguazu Falls (the hostel I stayed in). Once you arrive at the national park, get a day pass (it was 85 Pesos in 2010 on my visit) and you have 3 real options (try and do all three): 1. Upper Falls route - a higher hike of the falls - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas 2. Lower Falls route - this goes closer to the falls itself and leads you down to the bottom parts - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas as well. 3. Garganta del Diablo/Devil's Throat - the most recommended part of the falls - this place is immense - after walk a few kilometres over a bridge you arrive at the waterfalls on a wooden ledge. You can also do boat trips, watch animals and eat in the restaurants inside the park.
From The Brazil Side:
You get up close and personal to the falls on the Brazil side and get a decent viewpoint of the entire falls looking into Argentina. The transport method inside the National Park is all by bus. They drop you off ridiculously close to the falls viewpoints so not much walking is required, however it's worth doing one of the walks. You have to love Iguazu!
It's important to note that is both waterfall viewings whether from Brazil or Argentina will be busy as these are just brilliant falls of water.
So there you have it - a brief account of my top three. Happy travelling to waterfalls!
1. ICELAND: Gullfoss:
Gullfoss you might think is a surprise inclusion, alas you may never even have heard of it. But this incredible endless flow of gushing water in Iceland is phenomenal!! As you walk up towards Gullfoss you have absolutely no idea of how much water is flowing. When you arrive at the first viewing point you can only gasp in awe. If you are ever in Iceland, don't miss Gullfoss! To get there either hire a car, become part of a tour bus excursion to it or do the famous Golden Circle Tour (which I did). Entrance to the waterfall is FREE but you might feel obliged to have a coffee or buy a souvenir in the nearby shop.
2. Niagara Falls and Horsehoe Falls (on the border between CANADA and USA):
The Niagara Falls and Horseshoe Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. You can do it for free from the many viewing platforms in both Canada and the USA. The waterfall straddles the border and there's even a bridge you can cross to do passport and immigration. But the Maid of the Mist tour is the one I did which gets you up close and personal to the falls itself. You get wet and you get to keep your blue and white trademark poncho. You'll be flabbergasted by the immensity of this fall of water. You can still do this tour for less than $20 Canadian Dollars. Either that or stare down at it for free.
3. Iguazu Falls (BRAZIL and ARGENTINA):
SO the ongoing debate continues - which country is the best to view the Iguazu Falls from? And the answer is BOTH Argentina and Brazil. Plus the only way to experience it properly is actually to visit it from both sides, which I did in 2010 when I visited. Both National Parks are fairly close to each other and there are frequent border buses so you are best to view it from Both Argentina and Brazil. The Brazil one costs slightly more to get, which I noted, here's a rundown of them both:
Viewed from Argentina:
Reaching the Argentina side of the falls isn't that difficult. You can get a bus that goes along Ruta 12 - it leaves from the centre of Puerto Iguazu and heads along the main road into the national park. This also goes past the Hostel Inn Iguazu Falls (the hostel I stayed in). Once you arrive at the national park, get a day pass (it was 85 Pesos in 2010 on my visit) and you have 3 real options (try and do all three): 1. Upper Falls route - a higher hike of the falls - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas 2. Lower Falls route - this goes closer to the falls itself and leads you down to the bottom parts - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas as well. 3. Garganta del Diablo/Devil's Throat - the most recommended part of the falls - this place is immense - after walk a few kilometres over a bridge you arrive at the waterfalls on a wooden ledge. You can also do boat trips, watch animals and eat in the restaurants inside the park.
From The Brazil Side:
You get up close and personal to the falls on the Brazil side and get a decent viewpoint of the entire falls looking into Argentina. The transport method inside the National Park is all by bus. They drop you off ridiculously close to the falls viewpoints so not much walking is required, however it's worth doing one of the walks. You have to love Iguazu!
It's important to note that is both waterfall viewings whether from Brazil or Argentina will be busy as these are just brilliant falls of water.
So there you have it - a brief account of my top three. Happy travelling to waterfalls!
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To get further brilliant data for travellers on the move contact Backpacking PR company who are Northern Ireland based.. Check here for free reprint license: A Hat Trick Of Amazing Waterfalls.
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