Ranking of the Largest and Deepest Canyons in the World

Nothing illustrates better the corrosive action of flowing water like a canyon. Rivers carve their own path through rock, taking sometimes millions of years, and slowly but surely create these incredible and vast natural sculptures. Some canyons in this ranking are very famous, known and visited by thousands of tourists, while others are less known and frequented but equally fascinating and spectacular.

It should be noted that establishing the exact depth of each canyon is an almost impossible task: length, total area, height at different locations can be measured, but not all canyons and gorges can be measured precisely due to inaccessibility.

Where is it located: Iceland

Eldgja is a volcanic fissure and eruptive feature and has earned the nickname Gorge of Fire. It is approximately 40 km long, 600 meters wide in some places, and reaches a maximum depth of about 270 meters. It is a unique formation and is also considered the largest volcanic canyon in the world.

Where is it located: Texas, USA

Palo Duro Canyon is part of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, which was opened on July 4, 1934. The canyon is about 200 kilometers long and has a maximum depth of approximately 300 meters. Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States, after the Grand Canyon. Its formation is due to the erosive activity of water from the Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River: the water continues to deepen the canyon, transporting debris and sediment downstream. Wind also contributes to this erosive activity, further widening the canyon. The first Spanish explorers who ventured into this area named it "palo duro", which means "hard wood", in reference to the many mesquite and juniper plants. Over the centuries, many populations have lived in the canyon, the first were nomadic tribes that hunted mammoths, giant bison, and other large wild animals. It was later also home to the Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa tribes, before the arrival of colonizers.

Where is it located: Texas, USA

Santa Elena Canyon is one of the most popular spots in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Hiking can be done along the Rio Grande with only a canoe and paddle. However, caution should be exercised for those who are not very familiar with reptiles: the park is home to over 30 known species of snakes, so a close encounter with these creatures is quite likely.

Where is it located: Namibia, Africa

The canyon measures about 160 kilometers in length and reaches a maximum depth of approximately 550 meters, making it the largest and deepest canyon in Africa. It is a popular tourist attraction in Namibia: thanks to the many trails that run through it, it can be explored on an exciting and spectacular hike lasting about 5 days.

Where is it located: South Africa

Blyde River Canyon is about 25 kilometers long and around 800 meters deep, making it the second largest canyon in Africa. While it is not the largest in the world, it is distinctive for being one of the greenest. The gorge is covered with abundant subtropical vegetation, which certainly adds more charm to the location. Some of the most incredible views in South Africa can be enjoyed from the edge of the Blyde River Canyon, with vistas extending into Mozambique. The wildlife inhabiting the canyon is extraordinary, with over 5 species of primates living here.

Where is it located: Hawaii, USA

Waimea Canyon is about 16 kilometers long and reaches a depth of nearly 900 meters. Initially, the gorge was created by volcanic activity, later shaped by water erosion. "Waimea" means "reddish water" in Hawaiian, referring to the color of the canyon's soil.

Where is it located: British Columbia, Canada

Fraser Canyon in British Columbia, Canada, offers spectacular scenery through the mountains and reaches a depth of about 914 meters in some places. The canyon is located in a vast park, where various types of hikes can be undertaken, thanks to rivers, lakes, galleries, and caves all waiting to be discovered and explored.

Where is it located: Montenegro

A series of twists and turns made by the Tara River have, over the years, formed this gorge, which is the deepest in Europe. Located in the Durmitor National Park, the Tara River Canyon is protected by UNESCO. The natural spectacle is also manifested in the nearly 40 waterfalls that plunge into this fantastic canyon, which measures 82 km in length.

Where is it located: Arizona, USA

It may not be the largest canyon in the world, despite what many people believe, but the Grand Canyon in Arizona is undoubtedly the most famous. With approximately 1830 meters in depth and 445 km in length, this majestic place has been incredibly overlooked as one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

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Geologists are still debating how the Grand Canyon was formed; the most recent theory is that 17 million years ago the Colorado River began carving its way through the many layers of rock and has since continued to enlarge and deepen the channel, creating the current configuration. Today, the Grand Canyon is visited by over five million people each year from all over the world.

Where is it located: Mexico

Specifically, it is not one canyon but a series of six canyons collectively known as Copper Canyon or Barranca del Cobre, as it is called in Spanish. The name comes from the green-copper tone of its walls, and the six rivers responsible for creating these stunning valleys flow into the Sea of Cortez as part of the larger Rio Fuerte. The deepest canyon of the group, Barranca de Urique, reaches approximately 1879 meters in depth. This area is rich in wildlife; unfortunately, many species that live here are now endangered due to deforestation.

Where is it located: China

The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in China is about 241 kilometers long and winds around Namcha Barwa mountain and through the Eastern Himalayas. The Yarlung Trangpo Zangbo river, at the end of the gorge, then becomes the Brahmaputra, as it flows through India. The area has been designated as a nature reserve by the Chinese government due to its unique ecosystem consisting of rare animal and plant species that are preserved from human intervention.

Where is it located: Oregon, Idaho

Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon in the United States, it is 16 kilometers wide and was shaped by the erosive action of the Snake River. Hells Canyon is difficult to access, with only three roads crossing the canyon, situated in a unique natural area. In 1975, the United States Congress established the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, a park accessible to visitors where one can enjoy panoramic views, hiking and camping, mountain biking tours, and other activities.

Where is it located: Peru

Colca Canyon is a geographical wonder located in southern Peru and offers a truly impressive spectacle. It is one of the deepest canyons in the world and is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It is also one of the most visited tourist destinations in Peru and is home to many rare and unique animal species, such as the Andean Condor, the vicuña (a South American camelid), and several other species of birds and mammals. The valley also boasts archaeological sites dating back to around 6000 years ago, hot springs to soak in, and the famous Infiernillo Geyser. Moreover, this area is particularly fertile and has been cultivated since pre-Inca times.

Where is it located: Peru

The canyon, with its deepest point reaching 3354 meters, was carved between two mountain ranges, Coropuna and Solimana, by the Cotahuasi river. The landscape surrounding Cotahuasi Canyon is as fantastic and spectacular as it is remote: if you wish to visit the area, you must undertake a journey of over 12 hours by bus to get there. While this inconvenience may deter some tourists, it is undoubtedly favorable for the conservation of the area. To this day, it is considered the deepest canyon in the world ever measured.

Where is it located: Nepal

The Kali Gandaki River, which flows through the Kali Gandaki Gorge in Nepal, is even older than the Himalayan mountain range that surrounds it. The river is named after the Hindu goddess Kali and its turbulent waters are black due to the presence of glacial silt. The exact depth of the giant Kali Gandaki Gorge is still a subject of debate, as not everyone agrees on where its deepest point is. However, if the depth were to be measured from the highest peaks on either side of the river to the ground, it would be the deepest canyon in the world, measuring about 6800 meters.