There’s something primal about waterfalls that draws us in. The roar of water crashing down, the mist on your face, that feeling of standing before something so powerful it makes you feel wonderfully small.
My first serious waterfall hike was in Croatia at Plitvice Lakes. I’d seen photos, sure, but nothing prepared me for walking on wooden boardwalks suspended over turquoise water with cascades tumbling all around me. By the end of that day, my legs ached, my camera was full, and I was completely hooked.
Waterfall hikes are never just about the destination, but about the journey through moss-covered forests, the sound of rushing water growing louder as you get closer, and that moment when you round a corner, and there it is, thundering down in front of you.
10 Waterfall In Europe You’ll Want To See
These ten waterfalls are worth every step of the hike. Some require serious legwork, others are gentler strolls, but all of them will give you that spine-tingling feeling that only comes from witnessing nature at its most magnificent.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes is in the mountainous region of central Croatia, about two hours from Zagreb. The park’s 16 turquoise lakes cascade down through limestone canyons connected by wooden boardwalks that put you right on top of the water.
You’re walking through dense beech, spruce, and fir forests with 90 waterfalls tumbling all around you. The star attraction is Veliki Slap at 78 meters, Croatia’s tallest waterfall.
The boardwalks can be slippery when wet and get ridiculously crowded in summer, especially around Veliki Slap. The water color changes with the light, from emerald to turquoise to deep blue, depending on the algae and minerals.
If you follow Trail K into the higher elevations above Proscansko Lake, you’ll hit unique dolomite slopes with plant species that exist nowhere else in Croatia. Pack a picnic because the park food is overpriced and underwhelming.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Trail A (2 miles, 2-3 hours) covers the Lower Lakes and is the easiest option with mostly flat boardwalks. Trail C (5 miles, 4-6 hours) is the sweet spot for seeing both Upper and Lower Lakes. Trail K (11 miles, 6-8 hours) is the full monty and rated hard, but it gets you away from the crowds.
Skógafoss, Iceland
Skógafoss runs along 60 meters of Iceland’s South Coast, about 90 minutes from Reykjavik on the Ring Road. This waterfall is wide at 25 meters and produces so much spray that rainbows are practically guaranteed on sunny days. The landscape here is classic Iceland: black sand beaches just minutes away, the massive Eyjafjallajökull glacier looming in the background, and green lowlands stretching to the coast.
The Waterfall Way is very underrated. Most tourists snap photos at the bottom and leave, but if you walk 30 minutes up, you’ll have the place to yourself. The trail is part of the longer Fimmvörðuháls route, which connects two glaciers. You’ll need waterproof hiking boots because sections get boggy, and the spray from Skógafoss will drench you if you get close.
Pro tip: camp at the Skógafoss campsite right at the base. Yes, the waterfall is loud all night, but waking up to it at sunrise with nobody around is worth the earplugs. The best time to go is June through September when the trail is snow-free.
Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous, depending on how far you go. Climbing the 527 steps beside Skógafoss to the viewing platform is moderately challenging (20-30 minutes), but the real magic happens when you continue up the Waterfall Way trail. This 8-mile out-and-back hike follows the Skóga River upstream and passes 25+ waterfalls. The first 2 miles are easy and gradual, then it gets muddier with creek crossings.
Cascades du Hérisson, France
The Hérisson River drops through the Jura Mountains in eastern France, creating seven waterfalls over a 3.7-mile stretch. You’re hiking through beech forests at elevations between 650 and 1,100 meters, with the river fed by Lake Bonlieu and Lake Ilay. L’Eventail (“The Fan”) is the showstopper at 65 meters, followed by Grand Saut at 60 meters, where you can actually walk behind the curtain of water. The Jura landscape is limestone cliffs, deep green forests, and meadows dotted with old watermills and aqueducts from the 16th century.
Start from the Maison des Cascades parking area, where you’ll pay for parking (no entrance fee for the trail itself). The first waterfall, L’Eventail, is only 10-15 minutes in. Keep going to Grand Saut and beyond, and the crowds thin out dramatically. The name Hérisson doesn’t mean hedgehog as you’d think, it comes from the old word “Yrisson” meaning sacred water.
Avoid July and August when the waterfalls can run low, and the trails turn into human highways. Visit in May, June, or after autumn rains when the water volume is at its peak. There are three different parking areas along the route, so you can pick shorter sections if you don’t want to do the full loop.
Difficulty: Moderate. The complete 7-kilometer loop takes about 3 hours and climbs 250 meters. The trail is well-maintained and clearly marked, but it gets muddy and slippery after rain.
Krimml Waterfalls, Austria
Krimml Waterfalls drop 380 meters in three massive stages through Hohe Tauern National Park in the Austrian Alps. This is Europe’s highest waterfall by total height. You’re hiking through alpine forests with the Krimmler Ache River thundering beside you, surrounded by peaks that include the Großvenediger at 3,657 meters.
The spray from these falls is so intense that researchers claim it has therapeutic effects on respiratory conditions, with the atomized water particles penetrating deeper than asthma inhalers. I can’t say it felt particularly therapeutic, but it was definitely an amazing experience.
The path is extremely well-maintained with multiple viewing platforms at each waterfall stage. You’ll pass the Gasthof Schönangerl restaurant halfway up, which sits right above the third waterfall and makes an ideal lunch stop. Pack a rain jacket because the mist will soak you, especially at the middle section called Rainerkehle, where water crashes through narrow rock walls.
An 8-euro entrance fee gets you access (free with the Nationalpark Sommercard). If you’re short on time or energy, there’s a national park taxi that runs up to Schönangerl, though most hikers find the climb manageable. For a quieter descent, take the Alter Tauernweg, a 16th-century historic path that runs parallel but away from the main tourist route. Best months are May through July, when glacier melt makes the falls most powerful.
Difficulty: Moderate. The 4-kilometer trail to the top viewing platform gains serious elevation and takes 1.5-2 hours up. The first 10-15 minutes to the Lower Falls is easy and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, but after that, it’s a steady climb with switchbacks.
Staubbach Falls, Switzerland
Staubbach Falls plunges 297 meters in a near-perfect free fall into Lauterbrunnen Valley, making it Switzerland’s third-highest waterfall and one of the tallest single-drop falls in the world. The waterfall tumbles from the valley cliffs right into the village of Lauterbrunnen, which sits in a classic U-shaped glacial valley with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks towering overhead.
Lauterbrunnen Valley has 72 waterfalls, earning it the nickname “valley of waterfalls,” and it is said to have inspired Tolkien’s Rivendell. Walking behind the falls adds 30 minutes and involves steep stairs and a 50-meter tunnel.
The path behind Staubbach is where things get interesting. You climb through switchbacks, enter a dark tunnel (bring a light if you’re going before 8 am or after dusk), then emerge onto metal stairs and slippery rocks right behind the cascade with water swirling all around you. You will get soaked.
The base is free to access and suitable for everyone, but the behind-the-falls trail isn’t wheelchair or stroller accessible. The falls are illuminated at night in summer until 11 pm, creating an ethereal glow over the village. Water flow is best from late May through July when alpine snow melts. Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds. Don’t miss the panoramic views on the train ride up to Wengen, which offer a postcard-perfect perspective of the falls and valley below.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Walking to the base from Lauterbrunnen village center is a flat 10-minute stroll.
Mardalsfossen, Norway
Mardalsfossen falls 655 meters in total through Eikesdal Valley in Møre og Romsdal County, with its middle tier dropping 297 meters in pure free fall. This is one of Norway’s tallest waterfalls, fed by the lake Mardalstjønna at 945 meters elevation.
You’re hiking through a U-shaped glacial valley flanked by steep rock walls, with the turquoise Eikesdalsvatnet Lake stretching out below. The surrounding landscape is classic Norwegian fjord country with dramatic mountains and lush primeval forest filled with old elm trees.
IMPORTANT: Mardalsfossen only flows from June 20 to August 20 each year. The rest of the time, it’s diverted for hydroelectric power following protests in the 1970s called the Mardøla Action. Visit during those two months and pack rain gear because the spray is intense once you get close.
The trail winds through forest that feels untouched, with rich birdlife and views that get more spectacular as you climb. There’s a small guestbook house near the waterfall where you can sign in. The road to get here, County Road 191, was only completed in 1991. Before that, you had to take a boat across the lake or hike for miles. If you’re driving, there’s a toll road with license plate recognition to the parking area at Mardalen.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. The marked trail is about 2 kilometers one way, taking 30-45 minutes. The first 1.4 kilometers to the bridge is gentle and even suitable for bikes, then it steeps up to 325 meters elevation.
Rhine Falls, Switzerland
Rhine Falls sits on the border between Schaffhausen and Zürich cantons, about 3 kilometers south of Schaffhausen town. This is Europe’s most powerful waterfall by volume, not height. It’s 150 meters wide and 23 meters high, with an average summer flow of 600 cubic meters per second.
The falls formed 14,000 to 17,000 years ago when the Rhine was pushed over hard limestone during the last ice age. In the middle sits the Rheinfallfelsen, a massive rock that’s a remnant of the original cliff and is about 150 million years old.
The south bank at Schloss Laufen offers the best views and requires a 5 Swiss Franc entrance fee. You’ll take steep stairs down to platforms that jut out over the turbulence, some so close you feel like you could touch the water. There’s even a glass elevator if you don’t fancy the stairs.
The north bank at Schlössli Wörth is free, but the falls are farther away. For the full experience, take a boat to the middle rock and climb the stairs to the Swiss flag at the top. It’s crowded but worth it for the 360-degree views with water thundering all around you.
The water is an incredible turquoise blue that photos don’t capture properly. Best visited June through August when water volume is highest. Easily accessible by train from Zürich in about 45 minutes. The medieval town of Stein am Rhein is 20 kilometers upriver and makes a perfect add-on for lunch.
Difficulty: Easy. This isn’t really a hike, more of a scenic walk with viewing platforms on both sides of the river.
Four Waterfalls Trail (Sgwd yr Eira), Wales
The Four Waterfalls Trail cuts through Waterfall Country in the Brecon Beacons National Park near Ystradfellte in South Wales. This 7-kilometer circular route takes you to four waterfalls on the rivers Mellte and Hepste: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, and the star attraction, Sgwd yr Eira.
You’re walking through ancient woodland with moss-covered rocks, steep gorges, and the constant sound of rushing water. The landscape is lush green valley with thick forest canopy and river rapids. It really is nature at its best.
Sgwd yr Eira (meaning “waterfall of snow”) is what makes this trail special. It’s one of the only waterfalls in Wales where you can walk behind the cascade. The path takes you behind a 10-meter curtain of water thundering down in front of you, and yes, you will get soaked. Getting there requires descending 170 very steep steps, then climbing them all back up.
The trails get treacherous after rain with slippery rocks and mud. Start early because the car parks at Cwm Porth and Gwaun Hepste fill up by midday in summer. There’s cash-only parking and no facilities once you’re on the trail. The walk takes 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on how long you linger at each fall.
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging. The main trail is well-maintained and fairly flat, but accessing each waterfall involves steep, muddy descents on slippery paths.
Balea Waterfall, Romania
Balea Waterfall drops over 60 meters in Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains along the famous Transfăgărășan Road, one of the world’s most dramatic mountain drives. This is Romania’s tallest stepping waterfall, cascading down through the Carpathian Mountains at an elevation of 1,234 meters.
The landscape is rugged alpine terrain with glacial lakes, rocky peaks, and dense mountain forests. Above the waterfall sits Balea Lake at 2,034 meters, where Romania built Eastern Europe’s first ice hotel. The Transfăgărășan itself is an engineering marvel, snaking through the mountains with hairpin turns and tunnels.
The trail is well-marked but steep with uneven sections that can be slippery, especially after rain or in early season when snow lingers. In winter, the only access is via cable car, and the frozen waterfall creates an entirely different spectacle. Pack proper hiking boots because sections of the path get rough. The drive from Sibiu takes about 75 minutes.
Here’s a local legend: during a storm, a herd of horses was cornered by a bear at the cliff edge where the waterfall drops, panicked, and jumped to their deaths, which is supposedly how nearby Cascada Cailor (Horse Waterfall) got its name. The area offers multiple waterfall hikes if you want to explore further into the Făgăraș range.
Difficulty: Moderate. The hike from the parking area at Balea Cascada cabin takes about 45 minutes to an hour one way, covering roughly 2 kilometers with significant elevation gain.
Dettifoss, Iceland
Dettifoss sits in northeast Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park, about 2 hours from Akureyri. This is Europe’s most powerful waterfall by water volume, with an average flow of 193 cubic meters per second. The Jökulsá á Fjöllum River carries glacial meltwater from Vatnajökull glacier and drops 144 feet into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, spanning 330 feet across.
The landscape is otherworldly: black volcanic rock, barren highlands, and the gray glacial water. The canyon walls shake with the force of the water, and you can feel the vibrations through your feet. Nearby are Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss waterfalls, making this area a triple threat.
The west bank (Route 862) offers closer views and better angles but requires driving a rough, unpaved road that’s not suitable for all vehicles. The east bank (Route 864) has a paved road and easier access, but you’re farther from the falls. From either parking area, it’s a 10 to 15-minute walk on relatively flat terrain to the viewing areas, though the ground is uneven volcanic rock. The roar is deafening, and the spray creates constant mist.
Dettifoss gained fame as the opening scene location in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus. The power of this waterfall is genuinely jaw-dropping. You’re standing at the edge of a massive canyon watching chocolate-colored glacial water crash down with enough force to create its own weather system. Combine this with the other falls on the Diamond Circle route for a full day of waterfall hunting.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, depending on which side you approach from.