Ancient wonders: Discovering the world’s most incredible canyons

Canyons are among the planet’s most astonishing natural creations, shaped over thousands of years by the forces of erosion . These formations, which display proof of millennia of geological evolution, can be found on every continent and often stretch for hundreds of miles .

With a staggering 9,000 canyons worldwide, each offers photographers, nature enthusiasts, and hikers endless possibilities for exploration and adventure. From the iconic Grand Canyon in the USA to Iceland’s captivating moss-covered Fjadrargljufur Canyon, let’s look at the ten most breathtaking canyons worldwide that are not to be missed.

1. Antelope Canyon, USA

Located on Navajo Nation land in Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the most photographed spots in the American Southwest. It’s a natural wonderland famed for its stunning slot canyons formed by flash flooding and other sub-aerial processes.

It comprises two distinct sections. The Upper Antelope Canyon is also known as “The Crack” because its narrow sculpted corridors allow light beams to penetrate through the openings above. This phenomenon occurs at specific times of the year, transforming the canyon’s hues from rich reds to vibrant oranges and yellows.

This section is more popular and easier to access than the Lower Antelope Canyon, also called “The Corkscrew,” which is a bit more challenging to navigate as its spiral rock arches and passages go deep underground.

2. Colca Canyon, Peru

The Colca Canyon is located in southern Peru, roughly 99 miles away from the city of Arequipa. This colossal marvel of nature is among the world’s five deepest canyons , plunging an incredible 11,000 feet at its lowest point.

Considered one of the top natural wonders of South America , it is home to the protected Andean condor ( Vultur gryphus ), the largest bird of prey on Earth. The condor can frequently be spotted flying above the canyon.

The Colca Canyon is inhabited by pre-Inca communities and features towns established during the Spanish colonial era. People from the Collagua and the Cabana cultures still live in the area and uphold their ancient traditions by cultivating stepped terraces known as the andenes .

Spanning approximately 43 miles, the canyon is Peru’s third most-visited tourist destination, with around 120,000 annual visitors.

3. Verdon Gorge, France

The Verdon Gorge is a river canyon several hours north of the French Riviera. Its emerald green color, which inspired its name from the Latin viridum meaning “green place,” is caused by the fluoride and microalgae present in the water.

Waters flowing from the Allos Valley in the Alps carved it over thousands of years. Today, it is regarded as Europe’s largest canyon, reaching over 16 miles in length and up to 2,300 feet in depth. It is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Europe .

Aside from being a hotspot for outdoor and sports enthusiasts, the canyon is also home to a large number of bird species, including the rare Eurasian griffon vulture ( Gyps fulvus ), protected in many countries.

4. Wulingyuan Canyon, China

Nestled within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area , a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, Wulingyuan Canyon has been honored for its stunning natural beauty and unique rock formations. Its more than 3,000 towering sandstone pillars, reaching 2,600 feet in height, inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron’s Avatar.

The canyon and its surroundings are inhabited by a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the critically endangered Chinese giant salamander ( Andrias davidianus ), one of the largest salamanders and amphibians in the world.

Wulingyuan is a hotspot for sports enthusiasts, offering many activities such as rock climbing, canyoning, and kayaking. It boasts over 40 caves with two huge natural stone bridges, including the renowned ‘ World’s First Natural Bridge ,’ which towers 1,171 feet above the valley floor.

5. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Iceland

Iceland’s Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, dubbed the “Feather River Canyon,” shot to fame thanks to its starring role in music videos, including the one for Justin Bieber’s hit “I’ll Show You.” It then turned into one of the country’s most popular tourist spots after being featured in scenes of “ Game of Thrones .”

The canyon is famous for its winding, serpentine shape with steep, moss-covered cliffs carved by the flowing Fjaðrá River. It stretches almost 1.2 miles long and drops over 3,000 feet deep. Estimates suggest it is around two million years old, dating back to the Ice Age . This year, Iceland declared it a nature reserve.

6. Grand Canyon, USA

Renowned as one of the world’s seven natural wonders , the Grand Canyon is an impressive 227 miles long and over 18 miles wide at its widest point. Shaped by the Colorado River over millions of years, it reaches depths of approximately 6,093 feet, revealing layers of geological history spanning billions of years.

The canyon’s immense size and sudden elevation changes significantly alter temperature and precipitation, leading to unique weather patterns of its own. As a result, the weather conditions can vary dramatically depending on the location within the canyon.

The Grand Canyon also features a fascinating geological phenomenon called the Great Unconformity . Here, rock layers from 250 million years ago are stacked directly against those from 1.2 billion years ago, creating a mysterious gap about what happened in between.

Additionally, despite being home to nearly 2,000 species of plants and animals, no dinosaur fossils have ever been found in the canyon, as it likely formed long after they went extinct.

7. Waimea Canyon, USA

Commonly known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is 14 miles long, one mile wide, and more than 3,6000 feet deep. The name “reddish water” comes from the red soil eroded from the canyon walls that flow into the Waimea River at the canyon’s base.

Situated on the western side of Kaua’i, one of Hawaii’s main islands, the canyon was formed by volcanic activity and erosion over millennia, with its features further shaped by the river during abundant rainfall.

Visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from several lookout points, including the Waimea Canyon Lookout, the Puʻu Hinahina Lookout, the Kalalau Lookout, and the Puʻu o Kila.

8. Itaimbezinho Canyon, Brazil

One of Brazil’s most impressive canyons, the Itaimbezinho, measures about 3.7 miles long, up to 2,300 feet deep, and about 4,900 feet wide. Located in the Aparados da Serra National Park , shared between the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, it gets its name from the Tupi–Guarani words “Ita,” meaning stone, and “Aí’be,” meaning sharp.

The canyon is distinguished by its vertical rocky cliffs and sparse vegetation on its slopes. It is home to a variety of animals, including mammals, reptiles, and birds, including the endangered Vinaceous-breasted Amazon (Amazona panacea).

Itaimbezinho Canyon boasts several scenic trails, such as the Trilha do Vértice and Trilha dos Canyons, granting visitors breathtaking landscape views.

9. Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

The Blyde River Canyon, believed to be the world’s third-largest canyon, is located in South Africa’s province of Mpumalanga. With its lush subtropical vegetation spreading across 16 miles in length and reaching depths of 2,460 feet, it stands as the largest green canyon on Earth.

It is known for its captivating features, including the Three Rondavels – rounded mountain tops resembling traditional oval African homesteads- and the Bourke’s Luck Potholes – cylindrical rock formations resulting from water erosion.

The canyon offers several spectacular viewpoints, including the God’s Window and the Pinnacle, and attracts up to 500,000 visitors annually. It is thought to have the most diverse mix of plant and animal species in southern Africa, with the rare Cape vulture ( Gyps coprotheres ) utilizing the canyon’s cliffs for nesting and shelter.

10. Kings Canyon, Australia

Formed more than 400 million years ago, Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, is famed for its striking red cliffs and rugged rock formations. It is also noted for the vibrant vegetation along Kings Creek at its base and the numerous bird species that inhabit it.

King Canyon’s walls soar up to 330 feet high and hold deep cultural importance. The local Aboriginal communities , who have inhabited the area for over 20,000 years, revere them as sacred sites. The canyon’s local name, “Watarrka,” comes from the Luritja—an Aboriginal Australian word for the rare umbrella bush ( Acacia ligulata ).

The canyon is about 3,300 feet long and is predominantly composed of sandstone . At its top, a series of rounded domes known as the “Lost City” resembles the ruins of a forgotten civilization. These formations are ancient dunes that have evolved into mounds of soft rock with the help of wind and rain.