Waterfall hikes in 4K: Iceland, Oregon, Japan & more

The Pacific Northwest

Oregon and Washington are waterfall country. At Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls loops through a forested canyon past ten waterfalls, and the path even passes behind the curtain of water at South Falls. In the Columbia River Gorge, the Eagle Creek trail climbs along a narrow canyon from one fall to the next. North of Vancouver, the Sea to Sky corridor in British Columbia combines waterfalls with rainforest and mountain views.

Iceland and Europe

Iceland's waterfalls are on another scale. Dettifoss, in the north, is often described as the most powerful waterfall in Europe, a wide grey wall of glacial water roaring into a canyon. Glymur, in the west, is one of the country's tallest falls and is reached by a hike that crosses a river and follows the rim of a deep gorge.

In central Europe the falls are gentler: in Slovenia, walks lead through alpine villages to clear streams and cascades, and near Baden-Baden in Germany's Black Forest, forest paths follow water down through ferns and rocks.

Japan and New Zealand

On Yakushima, Ohko Falls plunges about 88 meters near the island's west coast and is listed among Japan's top 100 waterfalls. Near Auckland, the Waitakere Ranges hide Karamatura Falls at the end of a short rainforest walk. Choose a trail below; the longer videos make excellent background for working, reading or a slow treadmill walk.