Natural Landscapes That Will Take Your Breath Away
By Jack Ripley | May 13, 2024
Visit Kangaroo Island, Australia: Land of Pale, Rocky Coastline Surrounded by Sapphire Blue Water
When you venture out into the world, you give yourself the opportunity to experience many new and exciting things. You can learn about cultures, listen to people speaking their native languages, eat foods you may have never heard of, and meet interesting people. You'll also get to see amazing natural landscapes that may look very different from the view out your window at home.
The world is home to beautiful places. Many people are drawn to coastal landscapes, where the waves crash against the shore. Lush rainforests, towering cliffs, and vast desert expanses are also astounding. These places can help you appreciate the diversity of nature and what it offers. You might even find your breath taken away when you're visiting some places in person, feeling the fresh air around you, and listening to the waves, the birds, or the wind while you take in the view.
Located off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island. In the language of the indigenous Kaura people, it's called Karta Pintingga, or the Island of the Dead. This island's coastline measures 336 miles, and many people who live here take part in the rock lobster industry.
Kangaroo Island has become popular with tourists, and it's home to several nature reserves, including Flinders Chase National Park, where you can see koalas, sea lions, and dozens of other unique animals. One of the attractions at this national park is Remarkable Rocks. You can venture onto some of the granite formations, which have been sculpted by the wind and waves over time.
Gaze Down at the Grand Canyon, a Landscape Carved by the Colorado River Over Millions of Years
For many years, the Grand Canyon has delighted visitors from around the world. It measures 277 miles long, and in some places, it's 18 miles wide. The plateaus around the canyon were formed between 70 and 30 million years ago when the region was lifted up through plate tectonics.
The Colorado River began carving through the region 5 to 6 million years ago. This carving process has revealed many layers of rock. When you're looking at the canyon, you'll be able to look back in time, seeing the various layers of rock that have formed over the last 2 billion years. You can spend your time at the Grand Canyon touring along the rim, or you can set out on a hike or backpack trip to explore further into the canyon.
Discover Ireland's Cliffs of Moher Tower Above the Atlantic Ocean
The Aillte an Mhothair, which is the Irish name for the Cliffs of Moher, is located in County Clare on the west coast of the island. They extend for approximately nine miles, and it's almost as if they shoot straight up from the ocean. In some places, the sheer cliffs soar to about 700 feet high. Exploring the visitor center and its surrounding areas can let you experience the area from the land.
When the sun sets, the sky seems to come alive, and all the colors, from the whites of the crashing waves to the green on the meadows, seem so vibrant. You also have the opportunity to hop on board a ferry to see the cliffs from sea level.
Experience the Romantic Beauty of Sardinia and the Gulf of Orosei
To see beautiful blue waters, sandy beaches, and a rugged coastline, consider taking a trip to Sardinia. It's the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with miles and miles of coastline. A trip out on the water could be an amazing way to see the rocky shoreline, part of the Gennargentu range. You might even get close to seals, whales, or dolphins. The bay is part of the National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu. Its tallest peak is Punta La Marmora.
Explore Germany's Berchtesgaden National Park and Its Alpine Landscape
Berchtesgaden National Park is a pristine wilderness sanctuary nestled in the Bavarian Alps of southern Germany. Here, you can enjoy alpine meadows and glacial lakes surrounded by tall mountain peaks. The park is about 81 square miles, and it has an extensive network of hiking trails. Some animals you might see in the park include golden eagles, lynx, red deer, ibex, and the chamois mountain goat. Many people flock to the park's lakes, including Königssee Lake, which is known for its clear water. On one end of the lake, you'll find St. Bartholomew's Church, which can be accessed by a hike or by ship.
Take in Cascading Waterfall and Other Spectacular Landscapes in Iceland's Kirkjufell
On the north coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland, you'll find Kirkjufell, also known as Church Mountain. It stands about 1,500 feet above sea level, rising dramatically above the surrounding landscape. Its name comes from its resemblance to a steeple on a church. It has long, curved sides and a sharp incline leading to a narrow peak.
An exhilarating photo opp of Kirkjufell features Kirkjufellsfoss, or Church Mountain Falls. This waterfall might not be that tall, but it's quite impressive. It has three different tiers as it crashes down the towering mountain. As you'd imagine, the region rarely gets above freezing in the winter, with snow often blanketing everything. In the summer, the landscape is vibrant with lush greenery, though visitors should be prepared for any kind of weather.
Step Into a Magical World at the Wulingyuan Scenic Area in China
The Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Hunan Province has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's where you can see thousands of unique rock formations stretching high into the sky, beautiful forests, and meandering rivers. The combination of elements gives it a fairy-tale atmosphere, especially when there are low clouds or mist in the area. This area served as one of the inspirations for the setting of the Avatar movie. The region's other attractions include two natural bridges, pools, waterfalls, and dozens of caves.
Be Amazed by the Diversity in Brazil's Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a diverse range of features to take in, such as deep canyons, plateaus that seem to stretch on forever, and stunning waterfalls. One of the most well-known waterfalls in the park is the Cahchoeira do Segredo. A hike up to the falls will take you by natural pools and let you appreciate diverse flora and fauna. Many other hiking trails can take you into different areas of the park, where you might see toucans, vultures, anteaters, and other unique creatures.
Travel to the Isle of Skye in Scotland to View Cliffs, Unique Geological Formations, and Lochs
If you're planning a trip to Scotland, you might want to carve out a few days to tour the Isle of Skye. This island is located off the northwest coast of Scotland, and it has drawn visitors because of its rugged coastline and gorgeous landscapes. Many villages dot the island, which is 50 miles long. It has a bit of everything, including Dunvegan Castle, which has been continuously occupied by the MacLeod clan for 800 years.
You'll also find many opportunities to head out on the water, whether on a small vessel like a kayak or a larger charter boat. Seeing the shore from the water can help you get a sense of how large its unique rock formations and coastal cliffs are. You might also glimpse some of the wild animals that call this area home.
Venturing on land offers sights to astound. You can hike at the Black or Red Cuilin Mountains or take a gentler walk around one of the many salt or freshwater lochs. This region has extensive beaches, the iconic Neist Point lighthouse, and Fairy Pools, which are crystal-clear blue pools near the River Brittle.
Escape Into the Mesas and Buttes of Monument Valley That Stand Tall in the Desert
The Monument Valley is situated on the border of Arizona and Utah on Navajo land. When you see this valley, which is called Tse'Bii'Ndzisgaii in the Navajo language, you might better understand how vast the American West is. The desert stretches about as far as the eye can see, and magnificent rock formations tower above everything else. They can extend up to 1,000 feet above the surrounding land, and no matter the angle of the sun, the dramatic colors, shadows, and contrasting shapes will amaze you.
Even at night, this area offers an unforgettable experience, as the lack of light gives you a dazzling view of the stars. The moonlight casts a magical glow over the area, too. Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte are iconic formations, which you can see from the visitor center. How did these formations rise up? Well, it's really more about the surrounding areas getting worn down by water, wind, and ice over millions of years. The buttes, made up of hard material called caprock, have resisted weathering and erosion, unlike the softer rock surrounding it.
