9 hidden waterfalls around the world waiting to be explored

Waterfalls have long held an almost mystical allure, their cascading torrents inviting awe and contemplation. While many have trodden the paths to famed cascades, a handful of scarcely acknowledged falls offer something far richer: solitude, grandeur unspoiled by throngs, and a profound communion with nature’s quieter splendour. Here are nine such secluded waterfalls, each worthy of the discerning traveller’s pursuit. (Image: Canva)

1. Sgwd yr Eira, Wales
Veiled within the folds of Brecon Beacons National Park lies Sgwd yr Eira, a waterfall singular for its walk-behind veil of water. Its sheltered position beneath ancient woodlands ensures a reverence often lost at better-known sites. (Image: Canva)

2. Tumpak Sewu, Java
Tumpak Sewu’s cascade spills forth in a sweeping semicircle, akin to a great natural amphitheatre carved by volcanic hands. Its remote setting in East Java guarantees a pilgrimage for those craving nature’s untamed theatre away from the commonplace. (Image: Canva)

3. Watkins Glen, New York
Among the American northeast’s forested enclaves rests Watkins Glen, where nineteen waterfalls punctuate a rocky gorge. Each fall is framed by cliffs and verdure, composing a delicate tapestry of liquid motion seldom celebrated beyond local circles. (Image: Canva)

4. Havasu Falls, Arizona
Hidden deep within the labyrinthine Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls is a desert marvel, its turquoise waters contrasting starkly with the ochre rock. Its remoteness and permit restrictions preserve an atmosphere of serene exclusivity. (Image: Canva)

5. Dynjandi, Iceland
Often eclipsed by Iceland’s more trodden torrents, Dynjandi unfolds as a layered bridal veil cascading with measured dignity down Westfjords’ steep cliffs — a monument to nature’s quiet magnificence. (Image: Canva)

6. Jogini Waterfall, Himachal Pradesh
Tucked along the trekking trail to Triund, Jogini Waterfall offers a tranquil respite amid dense Himalayan forests. Its modest flow belies the refreshing solace it provides to those who venture beyond the usual routes. (Image: Canva)

7. Furepe, Hokkaido
Known as the “Maiden’s Tears,” Furepe Waterfall trickles down to meet the Sea of Okhotsk. Situated within Shiretoko National Park’s remote reaches, it embodies a delicate balance between fragility and resilience. (Image: Canva)

8. Erawan, Thailand
Though Erawan’s seven tiers attract visitors, the upper cascades remain a sanctuary of calm, where emerald pools invite contemplative sojourns away from the bustle of lower tiers. (Image: Canva)

9. Chiflon, Chiapas, Mexico
Surrounded by dense jungle, Chiflon’s falls plunge into turquoise pools untouched by mass tourism. The trek to its heights rewards the patient with panoramic vistas and the profound quiet of the wild. (Image: Canva)

These overlooked waterfalls grant more than scenic views; they offer an escape from the ordinary, a chance to encounter nature’s rhythms unmediated by crowds or commerce. Their remoteness demands effort but promises an experience of rarity and reverence. (Image: Canva)