Best Volcanic and Lava-Rock Waterfalls
Volcanic geology produces some of the most dramatic waterfalls on Earth: hard basalt cliffs, columnar jointing visible behind the falls, and rivers cutting fresh canyons through pyroclastic flow deposits. All ten on the map.
1. Svartifoss, Iceland
20-metre fall surrounded by hexagonal basalt columns in Skaftafell, Iceland. The columns inspired the design of Reykjavík's Hallgrímskirkja church.
2. Skógafoss, Iceland
60-metre fall off the basalt edge of Iceland's south coast — the cliff was once an active sea cliff, now 5 km inland.
3. Madakaripura, Indonesia
200-metre veil inside a circular pyroclastic cliff amphitheatre at the foot of Mount Bromo. East Java's most striking volcanic fall.
4. Alcantara Gorge, Sicily
Cool river water has carved a deep canyon through old Etna lava flows. Wadeable in summer; the basalt walls show jointing.
5. Tumpak Sewu, East Java
Horseshoe amphitheatre formed below Mount Semeru, fed by pyroclastic-flow channels. The waters cut through ash deposits.
6. Akaka Falls, Big Island, Hawaii
129-metre fall over an old lava cliff on the Hāmākua coast. Loop trail through banana-and-fern grove; year-round flow.
7. Ray-Pic Falls, Ardèche
60-metre fall over a basalt lava-flow front in the French Ardèche — France's most striking volcanic cascade.
8. Aldeyjarfoss, Iceland
20-metre fall on the upper Skjálfandafljót, framed by tall hexagonal basalt columns. Reached by F-road from the Sprengisandur interior route.
9. Wailua Falls, Kauai
26-metre twin fall over an ancient Kauai lava ridge, dropping into a deep volcanic gorge. Roadside access.
10. Sipiso-Piso, Sumatra
120 metres off the rim of Lake Toba's caldera — falling into the world's largest volcanic crater lake.
Where will you go first?
All of these are pinned on our interactive map.