5 Gorges to See Before You Die

Whether they are called canyons or gorges, these great spaces cut out by rivers offer some of the most stunning views imaginable.

Grand Canyon

No list of noteworthy gorges would be complete without the grand-daddy of them all, Grand Canyon.  It is one of those rare places where it is impossible to take a bad photograph.  Just point and click and there is a spectacular vista of multicolored walls of stone converging and parting along the path of the Colorado River so very far below.  One can enjoy the dizzying views, or hike up or down the vertical cliffs and raft through the gorge.

Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

Southern Africa is home to gorges number two and three after the Grand Canyon. Number two if the Fish River Canyon in Namibia, which can only be appreciated from the air, and it is aridand drab.  The Blyde River Canyon on the other hand, hides its immense size under a blanket of green, and the drive to the top of the escarpment is as thrilling as the view from the top.

Three Gorges

China’s Yangtze River carved its path through sheer mountains which still have their heads in the clouds. The peacefulness of the river and the mistiness of the peaks attracts tourists from all over. For a 200 mile stretch in the middle reaches of China’s longest river, there are three separate gorges passing between mountains up to 4000 feet high.  An area of great beauty, it also has a long history in Chinese culture and legend.

Colca Canyon, Peru

Colca Canyon is Peru’s number three tourist destination. The valley, still inhabited by Quechan-speaking people, is 13,650 ft deep, twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. The locals follow many ancient traditions and still cultivate the pre-Inca stepped terraces built into the off-vertical sides of the mountains.

Bungonia Gorge, Australia

In spite of being quite close to Sydney, this gorge remains an uncrowded wilderness area. The surrounding State Recreation Areais a base for bush walking, canoeing, canyoning, caving and, camping. Climbers are challenged by the sheer cliffs of the gorge, although the vertical drop allows base jumpers to leap into the abyss.  However, Bungonia is not the origin bungee jumping.