New Study Reveals the World’s Easiest Waterfalls to Visit
- A new global study by AllClear ranks over 100 of the world’s best-known waterfalls by how easy they are to reach
- Hawaii’s Rainbow Falls takes the top spot, followed by Snoqualmie Falls (United States) and Kravica Waterfall (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- The UK claims three places in the global top 20, with England’s High Force and Aysgarth Falls and Scotland’s Rogie Falls all making the cut
A new study from medical travel insurance specialist AllClear reveals the world’s most accessible waterfalls.
The research ranks 129 of the world’s best-known waterfalls on how easy they are to reach. Each is scored on distance from the nearest airport, trail distance, elevation gain, gradient and maximum elevation. Weather conditions are also factored in, including temperature, humidity, wind speed and precipitation. These factors combine to create a Difficulty Score out of 100. The lower the score, the easier the waterfall is to visit.
Hawaii’s Rainbow Falls Takes the Top Spot as the World’s Easiest Waterfall to Visit
From world-famous icons like Niagara Falls to lesser-known gems like Kravica Waterfall, the ranking highlights some of the most awe-inspiring waterfalls that don’t require a gruelling hike to see.
The World’s Top 20 Easiest Waterfalls to Visit Rank
| Waterfall | Country | Difficulty Score (/100) | |
| 1 | Rainbow Falls | United States | 18.4 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie Falls | United States | 22.9 |
| 3 | Kravica Waterfall | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 25.1 |
| 4 | Iguazú Falls (Argentina side) | Argentina | 25.6 |
| 5 | Cohoes Falls | United States | 26.2 |
| 6 | Augrabies Falls | South Africa | 27.1 |
| =7 | Bridalveil Fall | United States | 28.7 |
| =7 | Mulafossur | Faroe Islands | 28.7 |
| 9 | Shoshone Falls | United States | 28.8 |
| =10 | Khone Phapheng Falls | Laos | 30.0 |
| =10 | Twin Falls | Canada | 30.0 |
| 12 | Yosemite Falls (Lower) | United States | 30.1 |
| 13 | High Force | England | 30.5 |
| 14 | Aysgarth Falls | England | 30.9 |
| =15 | Rogie Falls | Scotland | 31.3 |
| =15 | Latak Waterfall | Malaysia | 31.3 |
| 17 | Nachi Falls | Japan | 31.8 |
| 18 | La Fortuna Waterfall | Costa Rica | 32.0 |
| 19 | Shannon Falls | Canada | 32.1 |
| 20 | Niagara Falls | United States/Canada | 32.5 |
- Rainbow Falls, Hawaii
Difficulty Score: 18.4/100
Located in Wailuku River State Park, Rainbow Falls is a 24-metre (80ft) waterfall famous for the rainbows that appear in its mist on sunny mornings. The walk to the waterfall is the shortest in the study at just 0.2km, and it’s only a short drive from Hilo International Airport. While the walk is quick, visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes, as the mist can make the path slippery. The best time to see the rainbows is typically around 10am on a sunny morning.
- Snoqualmie Falls, United States
Difficulty Score: 22.9/100
Standing 82 metres (268ft) tall in Washington State, Snoqualmie Falls is even taller than Niagara Falls and attracts more than 1.5 million visitors each year. The falls are sacred to the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, who have owned them since 2019 and say the rising mist carries prayers to the Creator. To avoid the climb back up the stairs at the end, visitors can park at the Lower Falls car park for a spectacular, head-on view of the waterfall from river level.
- Kravica Waterfall, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Difficulty Score: 25.1/100
In third place, and the highest-ranking European waterfall, is Kravica Waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The falls stand 28 metres tall and drop into an emerald-green lake that offers a breathtaking spot to swim in summer. Admission costs around 10 euros (£8.50) per person in peak season, and food and drink facilities are available for those looking to spend the day exploring the surrounding area.
- Iguazú Falls, Argentina
Difficulty Score: 25.6/100
Iguazú is one of the largest waterfall systems on earth, with 275 individual drops and a total span of nearly 2.7 kilometres. Its name comes from the Guarani word Yguasu, which translates to “big water”. The falls span two countries, with around 80% on the Argentinian side and 20% on the Brazilian side. The Upper Circuit on the Argentinian side offers panoramic views of the falls and the river. It’s made up entirely of elevated metal platforms, with plenty of spots to rest along the way.
- Cohoes Falls, United States
Difficulty Score: 26.2/100
Completing the top five is Cohoes Falls, on the Mohawk River in New York State, just 14km from the nearest airport. The trail to the falls is under a kilometre long, with an elevation gain of only 31 metres. Spring brings peak water levels as the snow melts, while in freezing winter temperatures the falls can partially or completely freeze over. Visitors are advised to check flow levels before visiting, as the water is regulated for hydroelectric power and can run low or dry in summer.
Letitia Smith, Head of Communications at AllClear said: “Waterfalls are impressive natural wonders but reaching them isn’t always easy. Iguazú Falls and others have viewing platforms that make them easy to see, many other impressive cascades are nestled in mountains and valleys and are much harder to visit. However, even the easiest waterfalls to visit can be affected by the weather. Just recently, heavy rainfall led to Iguazú Falls temporarily closing, so it’s important to check conditions before you go.
“As with any trip, careful planning is key. If you’re heading somewhere a bit further off the beaten track, or you’re living with a medical condition that means planning your itinerary in more detail, make sure you take out comprehensive travel insurance for your medical conditions before you set off.”
For the full list of the world’s easiest and hardest waterfalls to travel to, please visit https://www.allcleartravel.co.uk/blog/worlds-easiest-hardest-waterfalls-to-visit/
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