waterfalls – On the Loose Live

Easy Waterfall Hikes With Ravishing Rewards, Tongariro National Park, NZ: Tawhai & Taranaki Falls

March 8, 2026March 8, 2026livevigorously

Founded in 1887 and officially established in 1894, Tongariro is New Zealand’s oldest national park and the 4th in the world. It is a dual UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for both its outstanding natural volcanic features, including 3 active volcanoes: Mt. Ruapehu, Mt. Ngauruhoe, and Mt. Tongariro, and its cultural significance to the native Māori people.

Tawhai Falls Distance: < .50 Mile (Ranking 6th of the Top Hikes in Tongariro National Park per AllTrails.)

Up for a tame, super short stroll to a lovely waterfall? Tawhai Falls won’t disappoint. It’s an easy walk through the forest on a smooth trail to see the gorgeous, rushing, crystal-clear, turquoise waters of this 42-foot-high waterfall. You can take in the views from the top viewing platform and then follow the water’s journey to the base of the falls.

Getting to Tawhai Falls: It’s right off the SH48, about 2.5 miles below Whakapapa Village. Look for the large sign.

Taranaki Falls Distance: 3.73 Miles (The #2 Top Hike in the Park per AllTrails.)

Another tame and short walk to a waterfall is Taranaki Falls. Here, you’ll walk through the tussock (a golden, coppery red ornamental grass that is native to New Zealand) and alpine shrublands, enjoying expansive views of mountains and the beech forest, until you come to the star of the show— the dramatic 65 ft Taranaki Falls tumble down from top of the volcanic cliffs (formed by the Ruapehu eruption of 15,000 years ago) to a natural, boulder-ringed pool below.

In my opinion, this loop is most scenic clockwise, with the reward of rounding a corner for the big reveal (versus the anticlimax of seeing the comparatively anticlimactic top of the falls first). From the falls, the track climbs up to loop back, or you can continue your hike on the Tama Lakes Track (post to come).

Getting there: The trail starts from the road about 100 yards below the Whakapapa Visitor Centre.

Happy Trails and Waterfall Chasing!

Enchanting Faery Falls, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Mt. Shasta City, CA

August 26, 2025August 26, 2025livevigorously

Distance: 1.6 RT Out and Back

Elevation Gain: 255 FT

Difficulty: Easy

Sometimes enchantment is just a short stroll away, as is the case with Faery Falls. Nestled in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Faery Falls is an easily accessible, enchanting waterfall that drops about 50 feet into a small pool. The short, easy hike on a dirt road above Ney Springs Creek passes a few stone remnants of the fountain from the old Ney Springs Resort. Watch for the single-track drop-in trail to the waterfall on the left at .8 mile. Some have described this final section as difficult – in adverse conditions such as mud, snow, or ice, it could be. In dry conditions with appropriate shoes, it’s no problem.

The falls area is small and enclosed by rocks and trees. It can become crowded quickly. Especially important to go early on a weekday if you want your best chance of solitude. Luckily, I was there early and had it to myself.

Views of Mt. Shasta on the way to the trail. Not sure what the rooster was doing there. Perhaps a pet from the VW double bus?

Notes: The Faery Falls “Trail” is the dirt road to the right of the large parking lot. Parking is free! This hike is easy to combine with the Castle Lake Trail to Heart Lake and beyond. (Post to come!)

Trailhead address: Ney Springs Road, Mount Shasta, CA 96067
Trailhead coordinates: 41.265953, -122.32439 (41° 15′ 57.43″N 122° 19′ 27.80″W)

Pro tip: Stop at Theory Coffee in Mt. Shasta City on the way in or out. They served me the BEST post-hike brioche breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had! It’s a bakery too, with incredible delights on display. (Didn’t get a shot of them as I was too busy drooling!)

Happy Trails & Tummies!

Leave No Trace!

Stupendous Stewart Falls in the Summer and Fall, Sundance, UT

November 16, 2024June 11, 2025livevigorously

Distance: ~3.5 miles out and back via lower trail

Elevation Gain: 650 ft (You’re starting at about 6,100 ft)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on your fitness level

I finally made it to the spectacular 200-foot, double-tiered Stewart Falls! What took me so long?

(The truth is, I’m guilty of prioritizing marvelous Mount Timpanogos via the Aspen Grove or Timpooneke routes when I’m up here and rarely have time to fit in this quickie.) This time, I fit in Lake Blanche in the morning and made this my afternoon destination. A bit of driving, but worth it.

This lovely, runnable, single-track trail through the forest is especially enchanting in the Fall, with the Aspens at the height of their color. You can’t beat the splendid reward of this shortie

Make a day of it; check out the beautiful grounds of the Sundance Resort, grab a bite, and browse the shops.

Turns out Stewart Falls is just as splendid in the summer. In fact, with the snow melt, it really rushes and mists, and you may get to see additional falls!

Getting there: The trail begins at the Aspen Grove Trailhead parking lot. The entrance fee is $10 or free with a National Park Pass. This lot fills early, and they do ticket cars along the street. Pay close attention to the “No Parking” signs; they’re easy to miss.

Happy Trails!