10 Most Incredible Cave Waterfalls on Earth |
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Photo by Valerie Everett
Waterfalls are some of the most beautiful natural forms that can be found in the world, their shimmering streams of water hurtling downwards. More fantastic still are waterfalls buried beneath the earth, as rivers flow between stone and rock to form underground torrents. Here are 10 of the most amazing cave waterfalls on the planet. 10. Natural Bridge, Springbrook Park, Australia
Photo by Meaghan Douglas
Photo by Alan Isherwood
Photo by Tatters:)
9. Smoo Cave, Scotland
Photo by subflux
The Smoo Caves are unique in the UK for having been formed by both rainwater and by seawater: the first chamber is a tidal gorge, while the inner chambers have been formed by freshwater erosion. They also contain the largest sea cave in Britain, the main chamber of which measures 120ft wide and 45ft high. The name ‘Smoo’ is thought to be derived from the Norse ‘smjugg’, meaning hole, creek or cleft. Aside from containing a huge salt water-formed cavern, the caves also include a waterfall; the Allt Smoo river flows through the roof of the cave system, down the Fallis Smoo (or chimney Smoo), before plummeting 80ft to fill a 25ft deep pool of water. 
Photo by Jenni Douglas
8. Mine St Michel, Luxembourg
Photo by Loke.be-
Photo by Loke.be-
This waterfall is one of several in the Spring Room of the Marvel Cave, sitting some 500ft underground. The caves system was originally called Marble Cave, as early explorers believed that they could see marble on the cave’s roof – though they were eventually proved wrong. A theme park, Silver Dollar City, now sits atop the cave mouth. 7. White Scar Cave, Yorkshire
Photo by Ron Curtis
The White Scar Cave is the longest show cave in Britain and features a 300ft long chamber, with a 90ft ceiling, known as the Battlefield Cavern. Sitting in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the caves were only discovered in 1923 but run for miles. The caves also feature several waterfall chambers, which feed into the subterranean river Greta. 6. Gaping Gill, UK
Photo by Jarvist Frost
Photo by Jarvist Frost
The cavern is found in the side of the 2,373ft limestone mountain, Ingleborough, the second largest peak in the Yorkshire Dales, and was formed by water erosion from the Fell Beck stream – which after falling through the chamber, re-emerges further down the mountain. 5. Złoty Stok, Poland
Photo by Eddek_FZ
This amazing shot was taken in the Złoty Stok gold mine in Poland. The 30ft waterfall sits at the end of 600ft of hand cut mines, which were first excavated in the 17th century. Now you can tour these antique passages, which have lain unused for decades. 
Photo by fotoholik-pl
4. La Grotte aux Fees, Valais, Switzerland
Photo by saresnar
Photo by jungfrauholiday
3. Thunderhead Falls, South Dakota, USA
Photo by Annette Cormack
After falling 600ft, the Thunderhead Falls hit the pool seen above – at a rate of 8 cubic feet, or 500lb of water, per second. The tunnels were blasted out with gunpowder over the course of 20 years to get at the gold deposits contained within. It was 50 years later that the caves were opened to the public after a curious passer by noticed water running from the mountainside. 2. Ruby Falls, Tennessee, USA
Photo by Valerie Everett
Photo by Murray Barnes
The Falls have been a tourist attraction for 80 years, and have inspired musicians ranging from Johnny Cash (who wrote ‘See Ruby Fall’) to Mastodon (who recorded a music video in the chamber). 1. Waiahuakua Sea Cave, Hawaii, USA
Photo by Steve and Pam Nelson
Photo by Matt Parker
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Comments, questions and reviews by other travellersGood point, Andrew, we were there during the summer. My poor mother was in high heels, and carrying a baby since strollers could not be used. No one told her it was a mile walk each way. Yikes! Ruby Falls:Hard and long walk for young childrenRuby Falls is a mile long trek each way through tunnels littered with huge rocks and uneven flooring. Young children may need to be carried, strollers could not navigate through the tunnels. The day we saw Ruby Falls there was only a *hose* pipe sticking out from the cavern wall drizzling some water into the cavern. We were terribly disappointed. Perhaps some days Ruby Falls may actually have water flowing out of the cavern wall. Good Luck! I would recommend going only if there had been a LOT of rain recently. 3 RepliesThanks for the warning! I imagine a lot of these falls walks are amazing - IN SEASON.  Andrew
- posted 6th June 2012
You must have very good eyesight to spot a "hose pipe" 145 feet up in a dark cave that is probably lit from the top with lights shining in your face. I can think of dozens of underground waterfalls that easily exceed the height of Ruby Falls and have better water flow year round. Yes, anything in a cave is directly related to outside weather. Air flow, water, humidity, etc. The water in Ruby Falls comes from Mystery Falls directly above it. BTW- Mystery Falls is like 280 feet high and usually has good water flow. TheNextPresident
- posted 14th June 2012
Of course Mystery Falls would also be susceptible to the weather, but is it a bit more reliable than Ruby Falls? Meaning at least you could see some big falls? Andrew
- posted 14th June 2012
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Good point, Andrew, we were there during the summer. My poor mother was in high heels, and carrying a baby since strollers could not be used. No one told her it was a mile walk each way. Yikes! Then to see a hose pipe sticking out of the cavern wall drizzling water was just the last straw for my mother, and deeply disappointing for us kids. Mother fussed about that "hiking" trip until the day she died.