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Secret hike to the bottom of the Lisbon Falls

The Lisbon Falls is one of the most amazing waterfalls along Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route. At 94m, it is the highest waterfall in Mpumalanga. There is a reason why visitors flock to see this natural wonder – the Lisbon Falls are beautiful!

Lisbon Falls View Site
The beautiful Lisbon Falls on Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route.
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Visiting the Lisbon Falls

The Lisbon Falls is barely a few minutes’ drive from the town of Graskop north along the R532, and is equally as accessible for day visitors coming from Sabie. Because they are situated on forestry land, there is a nominal entry fee for day visitors. In return, the site is well maintained with clean and serviced ablution facilities. There is also security on site. Most of the visitors to the Lisbon Falls choose to view the falls from the easily-accessible viewing deck at the top of the waterfall. This provides an impressive view of water plummeting down the rocky face to the pool below.

Hike to the bottom of the falls

Another way to experience the Lisbon Falls is to follow a hiking trail to the base of the falls. This trail takes about 40 minutes to walk and follows a moderately steep slope to the valley below before working its way back towards the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. Although some sections are a little overgrown, the path is easy going and hikers will be rewarded with a refreshing swim at the end of the trail. The trail also affords spectacular views of the falls from a completely different perspective. Standing at the base of the falls, with the spray drenching your face and clothes gives you get a true appreciation for the volume and force of water making its way downstream. We chose to complete the hike to the base of the waterfall and captured these photographs along the way.

Be sure to be wearing some comfortable walking shoes though. (These are the ones Bevan uses and these are the ones Jill uses).

Map of the Lisbon Falls hiking trail

Different angle on Lison Falls
Side view of the Lisbon Falls on the way to the valley below.
Bevan watching the Lisbon Falls
The Lisbon Falls are very impressive when viewed from below.
Lisbon Falls Black and White
Water cascades down the Lisbon Falls.
Bevan at the bottom of Lisbon Falls
One last look at the falls before we head back up to the top.

What to do next

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