Canyons are one of the most amazing natural wonders. Today, we share with you 10 Most Famous Canyons around the World.
Nature has been endowed with many amazing picturesque landscapes.
It’s simply breathtaking to witness these natural wonders.
It’s a tourist dream to visit and see these most spectacular natural wonders.
Canyons are regarded as one of the greatest natural wonders on Earth.
Canyons are characterized by deep ravines between cliffs or mountain peaks.
They are formed by the wearing activity of fast-moving rivers as they cut through the surface upon which they flow, thus eroding and exposing the underlying layers of rocks.
So, Canyons are formed due to long-time erosion from a plateau level.
Canyons are not only known for their sheer size but also for their amazing beauty that often lies hidden beneath the ground.
Canyons offer an unbelievable sight to behold.
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You can find fossils in their rock layers, and they provide an opportunity to study about Earth’s history.
Sometimes the word gorge is interchangeably used for the canyon.
Moreover, the word canyon is mostly used in the United States, while the word gorge is commonly used in Europe.
However, there are slight differences between the two.
For instance, a gorge is much smaller than a canyon and often possesses small streams at the bottom.
On the other hand, Canyons are much wider than a gorge and can also be found at the bottom of an ocean.
Canyons have always been a great tourist attraction.
For example, the Grand Canyon in Arizona sees millions of tourists every year.
In fact, close to five million people visited Grand Canyon in 2014.
It is regarded as one of the most spectacular natural wonders of America.
There are many other spectacular canyons around the world that are worth visiting.
So, let’s head over to the list and get to know the most famous Canyons around the World.
Here’s the list of amazing Canyons for you:
10 World’s Most Amazing Canyons
Grand Canyon, United States
The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona, United States. It spans about 277 miles in length and has a width of about 18 miles.
The Grand Canyon is over one mile deep. The canyon has been carved out by the continuous erosive action of Colorado River over millions of years.
It is still widening today. The Grand Canyon has the status of being one of the most popular tourist attractions in the USA. It sees nearly five million visitors every year.
Colca Canyon, Peru
The Colca Canyon is located high in the Andes mountain range in Southern Peru. It is recognized as the second deepest canyon in the world having a depth of about 4160 meters.
The Colca Canyon is one of the top tourist destinations in Peru offering endless trekking routes, lots of activities, and breathtaking views.
The Colca Canyon can be reached from the Chivay village in the Colca valley. The hike is tough, but the views are simply stunning.
The Colca Canyon has amazing valleys, steep cliffs, and of course the beautiful Colca River. You also get to see the various plant and animal species.
The Colca Canyon offers an amazing trekking opportunity being twice as deep as Grand Canyon. Just hire an efficient guide, and you can be on for a great trekking experience in Colca Canyon.
The Colca Valley has thousands of terraces built by the Incas. It is also home to rich fauna, including Andean condors which are one of the highest-flying birds in the world.
Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Located in Southern Namibia, the breathtaking and stunning Fish River Canyon happens to be the largest canyon in Africa.
It stretches 100 miles in length and is 16 miles wide, with a depth of 550 meters. Fish River Canyon has formed over 500 million years ago due to the collapse of a valley caused by the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates. The Fish River flows through this great canyon.
The Fish River Canyon offers many breathtaking sites as the Fish River goes on to cut through the vast rocky landscape of this great canyon. However, the Fish River is a seasonal river flowing in rainy season between January and April.
The Fish River Canyon provides as much as 52 miles long hiking trails. It is one of the hardest hikes that you can experience in Africa taking almost five days for its completion. June to September is the best time for you to visit the Fish River Canyon as the weather is cool and pleasant. There’s also a helicopter service on offer to have a bird’s eye view of this amazing canyon.
Copper Canyon, Mexico
The Copper Canyon is a group of canyons having as much as six distinct canyons in Chihuahua, Mexico. The Copper Canyon gets its name from the color of the canyon walls which are copper-green in color.
This great canyon has been formed by six rivers that go on to merge into the Fuerte River and empty into the Cortez Sea.
The mountainous regions of Copper Canyon feature alpine climate and have moderate temperatures between March to April and October to November.
Typically, humid conditions prevail throughout the year in the bottom parts of Copper Canyon. However, the region experiences increased the threat to the ecosystem due to widespread population and large-scale cutting of trees in its forest areas of these canyons.
Indus Gorge, Pakistan
The Indus Gorge in Pakistan is regarded as the world’s deepest canyon that cuts through the Himalayas.
It is formed by the Indus River which flows at an elevation of about 5200m near Nanga Parbat, the ninth largest mountain in the world.
The Indus River cuts to a depth of about 5000m along its course near the Nanga Parbat massif as it passes through the Nanga Parbat, forming massive gorges and exposing the middle and lower crusts.
Tiger Leaping Gorge, China
The Tiger Leaping Gorge canyon is located on the Jinsha River near Lijiang in Southwestern China.
It is regarded as one of the deepest canyons in the world. It is recognized as one of the most scenic canyons in the world. The canyon is part of Yangtze River.
It has a depth of about 3790m from the river to the peak of the mountain. It was officially opened for the tourists in 1993. The Naxi people inhabit the region living in a handful of small hamlets.
Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii
The Waimea Canyon is another very amazing and beautiful canyon situated on the Kauai Island of Hawaii. It has the status of being the largest canyon in the Pacific.
It stretches to a length of 14 miles and is over one mile wide. It is about 3600 feet deep.
Besides its great size, the Waimea Canyon is characterized by red, purple, copper, and gray hues. The beautiful Waimea River flows through this great canyon.
It is also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Hiking is best for enjoying the breathtaking beauty of Waimea Canyon. You can also go for a helicopter tour for getting a good view of the Waimea Canyon.
Bicaz Canyon, Romania
The Bicaz Canyon is the most amazing canyon in Romania. It is located in the Northeastern part of Romania and is an important constituent of Bicazului Gorges National Park.
It is a 6-kilometer long canyon connecting Harghita County with the Neamt county of Romania.
The Bicaz Canyon has been carved out by the waters of Bicaz River. It is surrounded by high Suhardul Mic and Suhardul Mare mountains. Its limestone walls have many amazing caves.
The surrounding area is covered by small and amazing gorges which have been created by the tributaries of Bicaz River. There is a narrow road passing through the Bicaz Canyon which is regarded as one of the most scenic road passes in the whole Europe.
Verdon Gorge, France
The Verdon Gorge is one of the most breathtaking and beautiful canyons of Europe. It is located in Southeastern France and measures 15 miles in length, about 200 and 1500 meters in width, and is 700 meters deep.
This stunning canyon dates back to Triassic period believed to be 250 million years ago. It has been created by the beautiful Verdon River which flows through it.
The Verdon Gorge features towering cliffs, deep valleys, and amazingly colorful river. It is indeed a paradise for tourists. Verdon Gorge is home to various flora and fauna.
It provides an opportunity to indulge in rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, fishing, rafting, paragliding, and water skiing. Driving around the rim is also adventurous at the Verdon Gorge.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
The Antelope Canyon is undoubtedly the most beautiful slot canyon in the world. It is situated in the Navajo territory of Arizona.
Antelope Canyon attracts tourists and photographers from all around the globe. It’s colorful and wavy sandstone walls, and narrow passages are simply breathtaking. It is formed by flash flooding over several thousands of years ago.
The Antelope Canyon is made up of two different canyons that are the upper antelope canyon and lower antelope canyon. The upper antelope canyon is easy to access, whereas the lower antelope canyon is quite difficult to access.
However, the beautiful canyon walls make the lower one worth visiting. You should avoid visiting the Antelope Canyon during the monsoon season as it is prone to flash flooding.
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So, that’s all for this presentation of most famous canyons around the world. These are the most amazing and beautiful canyons in the world. We hope that you enjoyed the presentation.
Which of these famous Canyons would you like to visit? Well, you certainly have the list of beautiful canyons in the world to help you out in your decision. If you liked the post, do remember to share it with your friends and loved ones.
