I have to admit that I've been critical about any World's Tallest list because there's no consensus as to how waterfalls are defined (i.e. when a waterfall begins and ends, how long it must flow to count, etc.) and even fewer have been accurately measured (with the clinometer and rangefinder combo along with some trigonometry). So it's extremely difficult to come up with a definitive list of tallest waterfalls. Indeed, those lists that are already out there can easily be picked apart by someone who has actually been to the waterfalls that can make that judgement call or provide solid scientific evidence for their inclusion or exclusion. 
That's why we're limiting this list to just the ones we've seen. And as you can imagine, it's certainly not easy to put together this list even for the ones we have been to! So we've relied on our judgment, estimates from the World Waterfall Database, and some local input.
Moreover, to narrow down this list a bit more, we've added an additional criteria that the waterfall must flow reliably and with appreciable volume on average for at least 6 months out of the year, year after year. Hopefully, this eliminates some of those seasonal waterfalls that some might say do not count as legitimate waterfalls worth giving special attention to.
The end result is our list in reverse order...
For a while, we had left this falls off the list because we bought into initial estimates that this falls was "only" 455m tall. However, we brought it back on this list after combining the latest findings from the Norgeskart (formerly Norgesglasset) with our field observations. For reasons we've described later on this page, we're going with a tentative height of 560m, which qualifies this mysterious waterfall on this list.
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Norway.
This Kiwi wonder on the South Island just makes this list with a cumulative height of 580m over three distinct leaps. Sourced by a lake in an area that is well known for being rainy for much of the year, there's no doubt about its permanence. Thus, it's widely regarded as New Zealand's most beautiful waterfall. In order to see it, you'll have to embark on an overnight trek to see it by foot or have some serious luck with the weather so you can see it from the sky!
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in New Zealand.
This monster cascade drops over a cumulative height of around 612m. I can vouch for this measurement after inspecting the topographic map at Norgesglasset (Norway's online Topographic Map courtesy of Statens Kartverk). Sourced by the massive Folgefonn Glacier (Folgefonna), there's no question this waterfall is legit as it's very wide and tumbles down the length of the mountainside into the Åkra Fjord (Åkrafjorden), which is at sea level. Oh yeah, the scenic allure of this waterfall is quite good, too!
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Norway.
This side creek that tumbles some 2,140ft (about 652m; corroborated by TOPO! California
) into Tenaya Canyon in Yosemite National Park, is one of the more elusive waterfalls in the park. In fact, if you want to see the whole drop of the waterfall in one go, you're gonna have to summit Yosemite's iconic Half Dome. Perhaps one of the better excuses to do the strenuous trail for waterfalls if you ask me!
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Yosemite National Park.
This is certainly one of the taller waterfalls in North America though whether it's the tallest is highly disputable depending on who you talk to. Dropping over two mighty leaps with cascades sandwiched in between, it has a cumulative height at a widely reported and accepted 2,424ft (or 739m). Statistics aside, it's the crown jewel of attractions in the incomparable Yosemite Valley, and perhaps rivals Half Dome and El Capitan as iconic symbols of Yosemite National Park.
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Yosemite National Park.
Tumbling in multiple strands into the steep Nærøy Valley (Nærøydalen), this is often regarded as one of the tallest (if not the tallest) cumulative-drop waterfalls in Norway. Its statistics (which we can kind of vouch for by Norgesglasset inspection) gives this one a height of 755m or 2,477ft. You can appreciate the context of how it tumbles down the mountainside when viewed from the Stalheim Hotel Terrace, but you can find a pullout near the base of the waterfall for a neck-cranking look at the falls itself.
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Norway.
Measured by the Ziemendorf expedition party and corroborated by the National Geographic Society in 2006 at a cumulative height of 771m (2,531ft), this is definitely one of the taller legitimate waterfalls in the world and is perhaps the pride of the Chachas people of Northern Peru. The falls actually consists of a 230m upper drop followed by a 531m lower drop (making this one also one of the taller free-leaping waterfalls in the world) so it certainly holds it own statistically no matter which way you slice and dice it.
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Peru.
This towering waterfall falling from glaciers into the lake Lovatnet can easily be overlooked as another run-of-the-mill tall waterfall in Norway. However, after finally gaining some traction in its height measurements thanks to added features to Norgeskart by Statens Kartverk, we can finally lend some credibility to the claims that it's 818m (2,685ft) tall. I think a return trip here is in order to get better views, take our time, and come prepared with a clinometer/rangefinder combo to settle the science once and for all. Aside from statistics, as you can see from the photo, it's certainly a feast for the eyes.
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Norway.
This long cascade draining Lake Browne and dropping into the Doubtful Sound has been the subject of many conversations regarding whether it's the tallest in New Zealand or not. Well, based on examining the NZMapped GPS Topographic Map (which itself is derived from Land Information New Zealand data), it's conceivable that the falls tops off at the reported 836m (2,744ft) though there have been published brochures saying the falls is 619m (possibly the first 200m or so of its drop is sloping stream before making the steep cascade). Now this waterfall blends in with many of the other cascades you might find in the Doubtful Sound so even identifying this guy is a challenge unless you knew exactly what you're looking for.
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in New Zealand.
So far this waterfall has stood the test of time and debate as being the consensus tallest waterfall on earth! Statistically speaking, it has a cumulative height of 979m (3,212ft). It leaps off the Auyantepui, which itself is an isolated plateau collecting rain at its soggy, mysterious top, and thus the presence of this waterfall is a miracle and an oddity in and of itself! If you're looking to gaze upon this world wonder, be aware that clouds frequently cover its top so patience and a little luck is needed to get the view you want.
Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Venezuela.
That's why we're limiting this list to just the ones we've seen. And as you can imagine, it's certainly not easy to put together this list even for the ones we have been to! So we've relied on our judgment, estimates from the World Waterfall Database, and some local input.
Moreover, to narrow down this list a bit more, we've added an additional criteria that the waterfall must flow reliably and with appreciable volume on average for at least 6 months out of the year, year after year. Hopefully, this eliminates some of those seasonal waterfalls that some might say do not count as legitimate waterfalls worth giving special attention to.
The end result is our list in reverse order...
10. SKRIKJOFOSSEN [Hordaland, Norway]
For a while, we had left this falls off the list because we bought into initial estimates that this falls was "only" 455m tall. However, we brought it back on this list after combining the latest findings from the Norgeskart (formerly Norgesglasset) with our field observations. For reasons we've described later on this page, we're going with a tentative height of 560m, which qualifies this mysterious waterfall on this list. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Norway.
9. SUTHERLAND FALLS [Fiordland, New Zealand]
This Kiwi wonder on the South Island just makes this list with a cumulative height of 580m over three distinct leaps. Sourced by a lake in an area that is well known for being rainy for much of the year, there's no doubt about its permanence. Thus, it's widely regarded as New Zealand's most beautiful waterfall. In order to see it, you'll have to embark on an overnight trek to see it by foot or have some serious luck with the weather so you can see it from the sky! Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in New Zealand.
8. LANGFOSS [Hordaland, Norway]
This monster cascade drops over a cumulative height of around 612m. I can vouch for this measurement after inspecting the topographic map at Norgesglasset (Norway's online Topographic Map courtesy of Statens Kartverk). Sourced by the massive Folgefonn Glacier (Folgefonna), there's no question this waterfall is legit as it's very wide and tumbles down the length of the mountainside into the Åkra Fjord (Åkrafjorden), which is at sea level. Oh yeah, the scenic allure of this waterfall is quite good, too! Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Norway.
7. SNOW CREEK FALLS [California, USA]
This side creek that tumbles some 2,140ft (about 652m; corroborated by TOPO! California) into Tenaya Canyon in Yosemite National Park, is one of the more elusive waterfalls in the park. In fact, if you want to see the whole drop of the waterfall in one go, you're gonna have to summit Yosemite's iconic Half Dome. Perhaps one of the better excuses to do the strenuous trail for waterfalls if you ask me! Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Yosemite National Park.
6. YOSEMITE FALLS [California, USA]
This is certainly one of the taller waterfalls in North America though whether it's the tallest is highly disputable depending on who you talk to. Dropping over two mighty leaps with cascades sandwiched in between, it has a cumulative height at a widely reported and accepted 2,424ft (or 739m). Statistics aside, it's the crown jewel of attractions in the incomparable Yosemite Valley, and perhaps rivals Half Dome and El Capitan as iconic symbols of Yosemite National Park. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Yosemite National Park.
5. KJELFOSSEN [Sogn og Fjordane, Norway]
Tumbling in multiple strands into the steep Nærøy Valley (Nærøydalen), this is often regarded as one of the tallest (if not the tallest) cumulative-drop waterfalls in Norway. Its statistics (which we can kind of vouch for by Norgesglasset inspection) gives this one a height of 755m or 2,477ft. You can appreciate the context of how it tumbles down the mountainside when viewed from the Stalheim Hotel Terrace, but you can find a pullout near the base of the waterfall for a neck-cranking look at the falls itself. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Norway.
4. CATARATA GOCTA [Cocachimba/San Pablo, Peru]
Measured by the Ziemendorf expedition party and corroborated by the National Geographic Society in 2006 at a cumulative height of 771m (2,531ft), this is definitely one of the taller legitimate waterfalls in the world and is perhaps the pride of the Chachas people of Northern Peru. The falls actually consists of a 230m upper drop followed by a 531m lower drop (making this one also one of the taller free-leaping waterfalls in the world) so it certainly holds it own statistically no matter which way you slice and dice it. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Peru.
3. RAMNEFJELLFOSSEN (UTIGARDSFOSSEN) [Stryn, Norway]
This towering waterfall falling from glaciers into the lake Lovatnet can easily be overlooked as another run-of-the-mill tall waterfall in Norway. However, after finally gaining some traction in its height measurements thanks to added features to Norgeskart by Statens Kartverk, we can finally lend some credibility to the claims that it's 818m (2,685ft) tall. I think a return trip here is in order to get better views, take our time, and come prepared with a clinometer/rangefinder combo to settle the science once and for all. Aside from statistics, as you can see from the photo, it's certainly a feast for the eyes. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Norway.
2. BROWNE FALLS [Fiordland, New Zealand]
This long cascade draining Lake Browne and dropping into the Doubtful Sound has been the subject of many conversations regarding whether it's the tallest in New Zealand or not. Well, based on examining the NZMapped GPS Topographic Map (which itself is derived from Land Information New Zealand data), it's conceivable that the falls tops off at the reported 836m (2,744ft) though there have been published brochures saying the falls is 619m (possibly the first 200m or so of its drop is sloping stream before making the steep cascade). Now this waterfall blends in with many of the other cascades you might find in the Doubtful Sound so even identifying this guy is a challenge unless you knew exactly what you're looking for. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in New Zealand.
1. ANGEL FALLS (SALTO ÁNGEL) [Canaima, Venezuela]
So far this waterfall has stood the test of time and debate as being the consensus tallest waterfall on earth! Statistically speaking, it has a cumulative height of 979m (3,212ft). It leaps off the Auyantepui, which itself is an isolated plateau collecting rain at its soggy, mysterious top, and thus the presence of this waterfall is a miracle and an oddity in and of itself! If you're looking to gaze upon this world wonder, be aware that clouds frequently cover its top so patience and a little luck is needed to get the view you want. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
Click here to see other waterfalls in Venezuela.
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