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Wonder
Woodhouse Falls
In short
Somehow the beautiful Woodhouse Falls are unlucky. At least for some visitors. Nevertheless, this is a fine waterfall, a popular bathing place for locals.
37.3%
GPS coordinates
Location, address
Alternate names
Height
Drops
Stream
Map of the site
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In detail
The 9 – 10 m tall Woodhouse Falls fall over a sandstone of the Vryheid Formation (the Permian period). This waterfall has an interesting configuration – it has two prominent drops. After the first, the stream has to turn per some 60 degrees on the next drop.
The name of the falls marks a start in the history of bad accidents around this waterfall: around 1885 a farmer named William Woodhouse was fording the river above the falls. His horse tripped and William fell in the river and died in falls. Thus falls got the name.
One should be very careful when walking here now as well: the cliff edge can be slippery and, it seems, especially bad is the wet moss closer to the edge of falls. Unfortunately, people have fallen from the ledge and some have badly injured themselves by leaping from the cliffs.
Due to this in January 2019 Woodhouse Falls has been closed to visitors.
Some 500 meters below this smaller waterfall is the magnificent Karkloof Falls.
References
- Gavin Whitfield, 50 Must-See Geological Sites. 2016. ASIN: B01AGLRH8K.
Linked articles
Wonders of Africa
Africa has many outstanding wonders and some of the most surprising ones are the heritage of Egyptian civilization, the vernacular architecture of the Sahel region, tropical ecosystems, and others.
Wonders of South Africa
South Africa is extremely rich in unusual archaeological and natural monuments. Highlights are the rich finds of rare minerals, unique ecosystems, finds of the first humans, and some great waterfalls.
Waterfalls
Some of the most fascinating and awe-inspiring natural monuments are waterfalls or locations where a river abruptly changes its elevation.
Recommended books
Geological Journeys: A traveller’s guide to South Africa’s rocks and landforms
How often have we wondered about the jaunty tilt of a mountain ahead, the unusual patterns of a road cutting, the color and texture of the roadside soil, or the purpose of a distant minehead? This handy volume offers answers and explanations about features along all the major routes across South Africa, and some of the lesser, but geologically interesting, routes too.