Dive in to Europes most stunning waterfalls

Fall In Love With These Cool Cascades

Waterfalls have a very striking beauty. They have long inspired us, whether it is because of their incredible strength, their regal stature, or the breathtaking environments in which they live. Furthermore, Europe is home to an abundance of breathtaking waterfalls. These are the most magnificent of them all, from shimmering Mediterranean flumes to powerful Nordic torrents.

Krimml Waterfalls, Austria

These fierce falls, located in Salzburg, Austria, plunge 1,247 feet (381 meters) down the jagged rocks of the Krimml Ache Valley. They are among the highest in Europe. Because they are the result of glacier melting, they change with the seasons. In June and July, for example, thirty to forty times as much water runs through as in February due to meltwater. They are a sanctuary for wild environment, encircled by pine-clad hills teeming with birds, including the critically endangered European swallow and grey wagtail.

Mardalsfossen, Norway

There are many breathtaking waterfalls in Norway, but Mardalsfossen, or Mardals Falls, is one of the most exhilarating. You can practically feel its enormous strength simply by watching at it as it free falls for 974 feet (297 meters) down a nearly vertical valley into Eikesdalsvatnet Lake, which is 2,149 feet (655 meters) in total. With the exception of a two-month window between June 20 and August 20, Mardalsfossen is off-limits to the public for the most of the year, having been selected in 1970 for the development of hydroelectric power.

Háifoss, Iceland

Háifoss, which plunges 400 feet (120 meters) down the volcanic Fossárdalur valley in an almost ruler-straight line, has an unadulterated, basic beauty. The third-tallest waterfall in Iceland is located in the south and is steeped in legend. According to legend, there once lived a female ogre known as an ogypsy in the vicinity of Háifoss. She was said to have become aggressive towards anybody who dared approach the river, which she claimed as her own.

Plitvice Waterfalls, Croatia

The captivating mosaic of adjacent turquoise ponds connected by cascading waterfalls is Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are thousands to see here, but the 230-foot (70-meter) tall Veliki Slap, depicted upper right, is the biggest and most striking. It constitutes the source of the Korana River, thundering over a rugged cliff in the Lower Lakes of the park and the 66-to 82-foot (20-25-meter) tall Sastavci Slap below.

Keila Waterfall, Estonia

Keila Waterfall is only 20 feet (6 meters) high, yet its breathtaking beauty more than makes up for its low height. This graceful waterfall, which forms a tidy curtain of water alongside the Keila River, is about 19 miles (30 km) from Tallinn in the village of Keila-Joa. But it's moving, moving inland as the flowing water erodes away at the limestone beneath it.

Rhine Falls, Switzerland

The Rhine Falls, one of the strongest waterfalls in Europe, pours an amazing 21,189 cubic feet (600 cubic meters) of water along its course in the summer, creating massive spray clouds that cover the surrounding area. Located on the Rhine River, approximately 16 miles (25 km) south of the Swiss-German border, the beautiful rapids are overseen by the historic Schloss Laufen castle, which has been standing for almost 1,100 years.

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Cascate delle Marmore, Italy

You might be shocked to hear that the 541-foot (165-meter) Cascate delle Marmore is man-made, even though it appears to be as natural as any other. Situated in the Umbrian area of central Italy, the remarkable cascades were fashioned in 271 BC when the Romans redirected the Velino river, believing its waters to be a source of sickness for the adjacent town of Rieti. However, the strategy backfired, causing the river below to overflow as a result of the diversion. The falls' layered look was achieved by later modifications made between the 15th and 18th centuries, which served to regulate the flow of the falls.

Korouoma, Finland

Not less than magnificent are Korouoma's strange frozen shapes. The 197-foot (60-meter) sculpture-like icefalls are located in the deep gap known as Korouoma Canyon in Finnish Lapland. The gorge was created millions of years ago when the bedrock in the valley began to fracture. The falls are the definition of a winter paradise, with their gorgeously snowy surrounds and moose, lynx, and reindeer roaming about.

Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK

The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye are quite as magical as their name implies. Situated close to Glenbrittle's Carbost town, this set of crystal-clear rock pools is adorned with delicate, wispy waterfalls. They may not be the strongest or largest, but they certainly rank among the most attractive. Their waters take on a brilliant blue hue that seems more fitting for the Mediterranean than Scotland on sunny days. However, following a significant downpour, they acquire an atmospheric and dramatic quality, with unexpected bursts of tremendous torrents.