a man standing over Birthday Canyon in Greenland
a man standing by Havasu Falls at night
man peering over Asberygi Canyon in Iceland
rafts and camp in Cataract Canyon, Utah
hiker standing in on Taft Point in Yosemite Valley
hiker standing on Castleton Tower, Moab, Utah
hikers on Bridal Veil Basin in the Lewis Lakes area, Telluride, Colorado
two tents under the stars in Aosta Valley, Italy, Europe
a skier in Zillartal, Valley Austria
a climber on the Via Ferrata traverse, Telluride, Colorado
Everest's Base Camp at night, Nepal
highliner highlining over Fruit Bowl, Moab, Utah
rafters on the Little Colorado River in the Grand Canyon
a hiker on Peak Desolation Canyon Trail In California's Death Valley National Park
rafters camping along the Colorado River, Cataract Canyon, Moab, Utah
a hiker in Yosemite National Park, California
a climber in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada
a tent in Chamonix Valley, Mont Blanc, France
rafters on the Grand Canyon
a camper van parked in the desert next to a campfire in Oregon
a man in the East Fork White Roost Canyon, Robbers Roost area, Utah
a guide enjoying the view of Taboche and Cholatse on the trail to Everest
a standup paddle boarder, Havasu River, Grand Canyon, Arizona
a climber rappelling into Survey Canyon, a meltwater channel, Greenland ice sheet
hikers on the summit of La Huatesca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
hikers in Bridal Veil Basin, Telluride, Colorado
tents on Lake Saiful Muluk, Pakistan
two hikers in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
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Cryoconite, a black powdery dust made up of rocks, microbes, and soot, settles at the bottom of Birthday Canyon in the Greenland Ice Sheet. The ice sheet covers over 80% of Greenland and is accessible to visitors by car, plane, or foot.
Photograph by James Balog, Aurora

Canyons and Valleys: Striking Landscapes Across the World

See photographs of some of Earth's most awe-inspiring destinations.

ByLindsay N. Smith
September 20, 2017

Canyons and valleys provide vast landscapes for adventurous travelers to explore. Climbers tackle routes up their rocky cliffs. Paddlers float down their flowing rivers. Hikers traverse their blossoming meadows and desert trails. Whether you prefer the view from Earth's highest peak or deepest crevices, find the inspiration for your next trek in this photo gallery of steep and sloping scenery around the globe.