The World's Most Spectacular Waterfalls
Waihilau Falls, Hawaii
Wow Factor: The lush and uninhabited Waimanu Valley on the northeast shore of the Big Island of Hawaii is ribboned with towering strings of waterfalls. The granddaddy, Waihilau Falls, drops 2,600 feet in its rearmost slot. Top viewing entails a full day’s up-and-down hike from neighboring Waipi’o Valley, making camping a necessity.
Keep in Mind: Hawaii has by far the tallest waterfalls in the U.S., with the seasonal Olo’upena Falls and Pu’uka’oku Falls on Molokai sometimes being cited as taller than Waihilau.
Base Camp: A limited backdoor trail into Waimanu Valley starts near the cowboy town of Waimea, where you’ll find the historic Jacaranda Inn, built in 1897 as a ranch manager residence.