1. Takachiho Gorge, Japan
The Takachiho Gorge is a V-shaped gorge, created by the Gokase-gawa River, which eroded the Aso lava. Red-tinted precipitous cliffs rising up on both sides of the gorge extend for a long distance.
Manai-no-taki Falls, 17 meters (56 ft) high, is a popular highlight because of the clouds of spray that rise up from the falling water. The gorge has several waterfalls and a great hike up to the Takachiho Shrine.
The gorge has a 600-meter (1,970 ft) long walking trail, which is decorated with mountain cherry blossoms and the flowers of Japanese azaleas and wisteria from spring till early summer, and red and yellow leaves in fall. Thus, you can enjoy fine views of the four seasons.
2. Antelope Canyon, USA
Entrance to Upper Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon includes two separate, photogenic slot canyon sections, referred to individually as Upper Antelope Canyon or The Crack; and Lower Antelope Canyon or The Corkscrew.
Antelope Canyon was formed by erosion of Navajo Sandstone, primarily due to flash flooding and secondarily due to other sub-aerial processes. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways.
The perfect light conditions only last a short time
Over time the passageways are eroded away, making the corridors deeper and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic 'flowing' shapes in the rock.
Antelope Canyon is a popular location for photographers and sightseers, and a source of tourism business for the Navajo Nation. It has been accessible by permit only since 1997, when the Navajo Tribe made it a Navajo Tribal Park. Photography within the canyons is difficult due to the wide exposure range (often 10 EV or more) made by light reflecting off the canyon walls.
3. Verdon Gorge, France
The Verdon Gorge is about 25 km (15.5mi) long and up to 700 metres (2,300ft) deep. It was formed by the Verdon River, which is named after its startling turquoise-green colour, one of the canyon's most distinguishing characteristics.
The most impressive part lies between the towns of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where the river has cut a ravine up to 700 metres (2,300ft) down through the limestone mass. At the end of the canyon, the Verdon river flows into the artificial lake of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon.
The Verdon Gorge is renowned as one of the most beautiful canyons in Europe, and attracts numerous tourists, especially during the summer period.
The Verdon Gorge is an appreciated destination for rock climbers, since it includes more than 1,500 climbing routes on good limestone rock. The Verdon and its Gorge is also a favoured destination for fishermen, particularly for fly fishing. Hiking, Canoeing, paragliding, rafting, climbing and of course Canyoning are some of the numerous sports practiced in the region.
4. Oneonta Gorge, USA
The Oneonta Gorge is in the Columbia River Gorge in the American state of Oregon. The U.S. Forest Service has designated it as a botanical area because of the unique aquatic and woodland plants that grow there. The basalt walls are home to a wide variety of ferns, mosses, hepatics and lichens, many of which grow only in the Columbia River Gorge.
Oneonta Creek runs through the gorge. There are four major waterfalls on the creek. Middle Oneonta Falls can be seen clearly from a footpath and is very often mistaken for the upper or lower falls. The lower gorge has been preserved as a natural habitat, so there is no boardwalk or footpath through it as such.
5. Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia
The Vintgar gorge is one of the most popular natural features in Slovenia. From Bled the route leads north towards the village of Podhom. All along the road there are clear signs for Vintgar, and then by local roads the route leads to the entrance to the gorge itself (3.5 km or 2.2 mi from Bled). The gorge has been arranged for visitors for more than a hundred years.
Along the narrow passage, where the Radovna river thrashes loudly against its rocky confines, there are paths, galleries and bridges constructed in the rock. The trail runs through the 1600 m (1 mile) long gorge.
The Radovna flows over cascades and rapids, and in clear pools it finds peace for a few moments. The Vintgar gorge ends at the delightful Šum waterfall (26m or 85ft), the highest river fall in Slovenia.
At the waterfall the trail leaves the Radovna and rises up a track heading south-east to the chapel of St Catherine above Zasip. From here there is one of the finest views over the entire area of Bled. The way back goes down to Zasip and then along the road to Bled.
6. Glen Canyon, USA
Glen Canyon is a canyon that is located in southeastern and south central Utah and northwestern Arizona within the Vermilion Cliffs area. It was carved by the Colorado River.
Lake Powell
A reservoir, Lake Powell, was created by the Glen Canyon Dam. Lake Powell emerged from a struggle over damming Dinosaur National Monument.
Horseshoe Bend - Famous part of the Glen Canyon
Glen Canyon is a true paradise for nature lovers from all walks of life; there really is something for everyone. Whether you're a geologist, a biologist, an anthropologist or just a regular visitor, it's pretty much guaranteed you'll enjoy the splendor Glen Canyon has to offer.
But at this majestic site, it really pays to study rock formations, as they are the region’s true storytellers, recording the environmental changes caused by climate, weather, fires and geological processes throughout the millennia.
7. The Uvac Canyon, Serbia
The canyon of the river Uvac is nature reserve in south-western Serbia and certainly is one of the most beautiful area. The Uvac Canyon is one of a few remaining habitats of Griffon Vulture, rare birds of vulture eagles. Its fluvial course is extremely winding. The Uvac canyon is so picturesque with countless meanders and caves … right place for wild adventure.
The Canyon Uvac is wedged between two “gold” mountain: Zlatibor and Zlatar. The river Uvac is about 100km (62mi) long and passes through this famous canyon where the river makes picturesque meanders that you can observe from a cliff in the vicinity or directly from the river, while you are sailing with a boat. In any case, you should not miss to see the canyon Uvac from as many angles and perspectives as you can. Photos and impressions are always different and unique.
If you are going in a sightseeing with a boat, you can explore some of the many caves which are certainly with its natural beauty significant characteristic of this region. On the river there are four artificial lakes. At the entrance of the canyon there is the first lake with extremely pure water, which is especially popular for fishing and swimming. Also, the coast of the lake is ideal for camping.
8. El Tajo Gorge, Spain
Ronda is one of the few cities in the world to have a deep gorge running through the heart of the city, and is luckier still to have the Puente Nuevo (new bridge in Spanish) spanning it. The gorge also served as the most formidable defence Ronda’s enemies have ever tried to attack.
Known as El Tajo, the gorge was created by constant erosion of the Rio Guadalevín which is fed by mountain streams and melting snow high in the mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves.
The famous Puente Nuevo bridge
The gorge is quite narrow only 68m (225ft) at it’s widest, but in places very deep, up to 120 m (395ft), adding to the wonder that makes the gorge and it’s tallest bridge, the Puente Nuevo, one of Spain’s most photographed locations.
The Rio Guadalevín exits El Tajo into the valley below where it was used by a number of flour mills to drive their grinders but all activity ceased in 1917 after a rock slide destroyed the mills.
9. Narrows Gorge, USA
This gorge is located in Hays County, Texas. The Narrows is formed by a series of cliffs seventy-five feet (23m) high and a quarter mile (400m) in length along the Blanco River, just upstream from the junction of the Blanco and Little Blanco rivers.
The Narrows got its name from the narrow appearance of the gorge from above. The gorge widens at the water's edge; water has eroded potholes into the rocky banks and river bottom. Springs flow from the cliffs and provide moisture for various species of ferns and watercress growing along the banks.
The surrounding countryside of the Texas Hill Country is characterized by sloping limestone and is used for pastureland. Live oak, juniper, and mesquite grow in the shallow clay loam.
The Narrows was part of the Hermann Schlameus ranch and appeared on local tourist maps from the 1930s through the 1950s, when it was a scenic park. The ranch was sold in the early 1960s, and the Narrows was closed to the public.
10. The Narrows, USA
The Narrows in Zion National Park, (near Springdale, Utah) is a section of canyon on the North Fork of the Virgin River. The hike of The Narrows is one of the premier hikes on the Colorado Plateau.
The term The Narrows refers to both the through-hike of The Narrows, and to The Narrows themselves, especially the 3.6 miles (5.8 km) long section of canyon between the end of the Riverside Walk Trail and Big Spring. The Narrows lies north of, and upstream of, the main Zion Canyon.
The Narrows may be closed in the spring due to flooding while the snow melts off the upland areas to the north if the flow rate is higher than 120 cubic feet per second (3.4 m3/s). Thunderstorms can cause The Narrows to flash flood during the summer. Rain showers upriver can cause flash floods in the canyon without it raining over the canyon itself.
The Narrows is a favorite with photographers. The spectacular soaring walls, beautiful colors and flowing water make for spectacular scenes, but the elusiveness of the light and high-contrast possibilities make for a technical challenge. Low light levels require use of a tripod most of the time.
11. Areuse Gorge, Switzerland
The Areuse Gorge is a beautiful canyon which lies between Noiraigue and Boudry in western Switzerland. one of it’s main attractions is the Stone arch bridge called “pont du saut du brot”, there are quite a few Waterfalls and little lakes around the gorge.
The river Areuse has cut itself steeply through the soft limestone and clay sediments. Following the river makes for a very scenic walk. The fantastic hike through the beautiful jungle alongside the gorge is truly a priceless experience.
12. Leutasch Gorge, Austria
One of Mittenwald's main attractions is the Leutaschklamm, an attractive gorge just to the south of the town. You pay a euro or so to go in, and follow a walkway as far as a waterfall, and then turn around and go out again.
More recently, there is a new way of seeing the gorge - the new 'Geisterklammweg', which enters the gorge higher up and provides great views of the steep-sided valley from the new walkways.
Built at a cost of 1.4 million euros, the metal walkway winds its way for over half a kilometre (1.640ft) up the gorge. Two bridges provide access to the paths on the other side of the gorge and provide rather dizzying views to the stream below.
The 3 km (1.85mi) long Mountain Leutasch Gorge Trail runs for part of the way on an exciting 800 m (2.630ft) long man-made section. At the end of the gorge near Mittenwald, the trail leads deep down into Leutasch Gorge and finishes at a 23 m (75ft) high waterfall.
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