Nature is a spectacle that few human actions can improve. Who hasn’t been astonished by a beautiful lake, imposing mountains or simply by the sea?
Today, we want to bring you a list of one of the geographical features that most often impress us. So let’s find out which are the largest waterfalls in Europe, in a list of 15 that we are sure will not leave you indifferent.
1- Vinnufossen (Norway)
Norway is a country characterised by its beauty in the form of fjords, rivers, lakes and wild nature. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries on the continent, but it also has the highest waterfall in Europe. It also has the merit of being the sixth highest in the world.
With a fall of 865 metres, Vinnufossen is very close to the town of Sunndalsora, from where we can see this powerful waterfall. You can walk to the base of the waterfall and see the water falling from the melting Vinnufonna glacier.
2- Röthbach waterfall (Germany)
Although the 16 highest waterfalls in Europe are in Norway, the first on the list of the largest waterfalls in continental Europe is the Röthbach waterfall.
To reach it, you have to go to the Berchtesgaden National Park in the Bavarian region of southern Germany. Access to this 470-metre high waterfall is a bit difficult. The river that feeds the waterfall has the same name, pumping water directly into Lake Obersee.
Although swimming is not allowed in the lake, there are several areas with a beach atmosphere where you can grab your flip-flops and have a good time on the sand.
3- Grande de Gavarnie waterfall (France)
Now we head towards France. In the south, in the Pyrenees region, is the Grande de Gavarnie waterfall. At 423 metres, it is the second largest waterfall in Europe.
Curiously, the water flow that causes the Gavarnie waterfall comes from Spain. A glacier near the peak of the Cilindro melts to produce the most impressive waterfall in France.
To get there, you will have to walk about 30 minutes from the village of Gavarnie, to enter the Pyrenees National Park.
4- Skógafoss (Iceland)
A waterfall by the beach? Yes, because in Iceland any geographical feature is possible.
Considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country, the waterfall is impressive not so much for its height of 60 metres, but for its width of more than 25 metres.
The Skógá River is the tributary of this impressive waterfall, which hides a cave behind it. Legend has it that a Viking treasure lies there, so try to find it if you visit this beautiful waterfall in the south of Iceland.
5- Marmore Waterfalls (Italy)
We told you that waterfalls are unparalleled natural phenomena. There is a little lie in our list. The waterfalls of Marmore, in Italy, are artificial. But they are impressive nonetheless.
Located in the centre of the country, their total height is 165 metres, making them the largest waterfall in Italy. To reach it, you have to go to the village of Marmore, where the river Velino flows through, which is the source of water for the waterfall.
Although it is artificial, you should know that this waterfall is made for a good purpose: to generate electricity.
6- Nervión waterfall (Spain)
We come to the Iberian Peninsula to discover what is the largest waterfall in Spain. It is the Salto del Nervión, located in Álava.
Its proximity to the town of Berberana means that we can visit it on foot in 1 hour and a half’s walk. When we get there, we can see the 222-metre-high waterfall in all its splendour.
The river that provides water to one of the largest waterfalls in Europe is the Délica, which curiously is renamed Nervión just after the waterfall.
7- Faia da Agua Alta (Portugal)
We now move on to neighbouring Portugal to see its highest waterfall. This is the Faia da Agua Alta, which at 60 metres high is the highest waterfall in Portugal.
On the map, it is located in the Douro International Natural Park, in the north-east of the country. To reach it, we will only have to follow a 4-kilometre-long path that starts from the village of Lamoso, making it very accessible.
8- Eas a’ Chual Aluinn (United Kingdom, Scotland)
To find the largest waterfall in the United Kingdom we have to go to Scotland. There we find Eas a’ Chual Aluinn, which as you can see is a Gaelic name and not an English one.
It is 200 metres high, and to reach it we have to walk 3 kilometres along a path in Sutherland, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
9- Rhine Falls (Switzerland)
If you have ever seen Niagara Falls or Iguazu Falls, you will know what kind of waterfall we are talking about. The Rhine Falls in Switzerland is impressive not because of its height, but because of its width.
It measures 150 metres from side to side, and has a drop of only 20 metres. But that does not detract from the fact that it is one of the most impressive geographical features in Europe, especially as more than 250 cubic metres of water pass through it every second.
It is located in northern Switzerland, between the cantons of Zurich and Schaffhausen. Its tributary, of course, is the Rhine, one of the longest rivers in Europe.
The good thing is that to see these waterfalls we can do it by boat, which will take us almost to the waterfall.
10- Plitvice Waterfalls (Croatia)
The Plitvice Lakes, in Croatia, are a National Park that also has the distinction of UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty.
Alongside these lakes, there are hundreds of waterfalls, which are impressive not so much for their height, but for the lush vegetation that surrounds them.
The turquoise waters are breathtaking, and to see them you have to go to the heart of the Croatian country, in the Lika region.
As a World Heritage Site, you’re not allowed to swim in these lakes, but you are allowed to take part in various activities and sports such as kayaking. There are many hiking trails where you can explore this unique environment.
Take a good bag or backpack and get ready to discover this unique environment.
11- Seljalandsfoss (Iceland)
We return to the south of Iceland, and this country never ceases to amaze us with its waterfalls.
In this case we visit Seljalandsfoss, which is fed by the Seljalandsá river. Just a few kilometres from the sea, its location is perfect for visiting it by car, as it is only a few hundred metres from the car park to the waterfall.
The impressive thing about the place is not the 60-metre high waterfall, but the fact that we can access the cave behind it and take one of the best photographs in the Icelandic country.
12-Mardalsfossen (Norway)
Now it is time to return to Norway, to see another of the largest waterfalls in Europe. Its height of 705 metres gives it this privilege, thanks to the water carried to it by the Mardøla river.
It is located in the middle of the country, in the division of Møre og Romsdal. To reach it we will only have to do a 45-minute walk from the car park of the waterfall.
13- Boka Waterfall (Slovenia)
Slovenia is a country that, although unknown, has many natural gems that are worth visiting. One of them is the Boka waterfall, located in the west of the country, next to the Italian border.
Its height of 144 metres makes it the largest waterfall in Slovenia. The good thing is that we can see it both from the road and from the viewpoint. The latter can be reached by a short 5-minute walk.
14- Krimml Falls (Austria)
We go to Austria to see its highest waterfall. Also called waterfalls, they are 380 metres high.
Its name comes from the nearby town of Krimml, which is part of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
Another attraction of this waterfall is that you can reach the top of the waterfall by a 15-minute walk. This path was created by the Austrian Alpine Club.
The water of the falls comes from the Krimmler Ache river, which comes from a glacier. Just after the waterfall, the river joins the Salzach, which finally flows into one of the most important rivers in Europe, the Danube.
15- Rio Mundo Waterfall (Spain)
For our last waterfall we have left one of the most special in Spain. To find it, we must go to the natural park of the Calares del Río Mundo y de la Sima, in the province of Albacete.
More than a waterfall, the Reventón del Río Mundo is the source of this watercourse. And the impressive thing about the place is not its height, but the fact that the water comes directly out of a hole in the rock, so the waterfall does not rise in the open air.
The only problem is that this natural phenomenon occurs only a few times a year. To see it, it is only a half-hour walk to this beautiful natural phenomenon that completes our list.
All the waterfalls on this list are incredible and well worth a visit. Some of them will have much less flow in summer, but they are a perfect place to plan a walking route and then recharge your batteries with a good snack.
You can always grab your flip-flops or Havaianas sandals, and once you’ve arrived at your destination, weather and conditions permitting, put your feet in the water and enjoy the wonderful views.
If you visit in summer, remember to wear sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses!
