10 Most Beautiful Natural Arches in the World
There are many beautiful natural arches in the world. Whether large and impressive or delicate and small, these arches are a visual wonder of how fascinating our planet is. Natural arches are usually formed by the natural, selective removal of rocks. Although these ten natural arches look like they’ve been deliberately created, they are absolutely natural! They are breathtakingly beautiful and definitely worth visiting.
1 El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Situated at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is one of the most impressive natural arches in the world. A 200-foot granite rock that was carved by the crashing waves and strong ocean currents is a popular attraction for travelers from different parts of the world. Tourists usually get to the arch by speedboats, kayaks, commercial boats or jet skis. There are also lots of snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the area.
2 The Rock of Raouché, Lebanon
Known as Pigeons’ Rock, the Rock of Raouché attracts hundreds of tourists each year. The two majestic rock formations stand like huge sentinels to the city of Beirut. Tourists and locals like to stroll along the corniche at any time of the day, however during the sunset hours it is especially crowded. Try to go as earlier as possible to walk along the corniche and find a great spot for viewing the breathtaking sunset.
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3 Cathedral Cove, New Zealand
Without doubt, the Cathedral Cove is one of the most beautiful natural arches in the world. Situated on New Zealand’s fantastic Coromandel Peninsula, the Cathedral Cove was christened the cathedral since it’s huge and it has a mystical air. It’s accessible only on foot, kayak or boat. The arch connects 2 secluded coves which located in the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve. The Cathedral Cove offers spectacular sightseeing and a great variety of life to both divers and snorkelers.
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4 London Arch, Australia
Unfortunately, only one arch remains these days, but until several years ago, there was a complete double-span natural bridge, which was named London Bridge since it resembled the original London Bridge situated in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. You can find London Arch in Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, Australia, and enjoy the spectacular wonder and beauty of this natural arch.
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5 Durdle Door, UK
I first saw Durdle Door when I was a teen and I was highly impressed by its beauty. Durdle Door is situated near Lulworth in Dorset, England. The arch sits on the area renowned as the Jurassic Coast, so-called due to the great amount of dinosaur fossils. When I looked through the archway and the sunlight was bouncing off the fabulous ocean, I thought it was a gateway to absolutely different dimension.
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6 Pont d’Arc, France
The Pont d’Arc is one of the most beautiful natural rock arches to visit. The Vallon-Pont-d’Arc area is known for its picturesque limestone landscapes full of mysterious prehistoric places and caves such as Chauvet Cave that has the best preserved and earliest known figurative cave drawings in the world. The Pont d’Arc has been carved out over the years by the Ardeche River and it stands 200 feet wide and 175 feet high.
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7 La Portada, Chile
Located on the coast of Chile, La Portada is a wonderful natural arch that is one of the 15 natural monuments considered as protected areas of Chile. It’s surrounded by fabulous coastal cliffs that were formed by marine erosion. La Portada is not to be missed. You simply can’t describe it. You really have to visit this arch in person.
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8 Double Arch, USA
To tell the truth, I had a huge trouble choosing a beautiful US arch. Perhaps there are more natural arches in the United States than anywhere else in the globe and each has its merits and is amazingly beautiful. But I think, the Double Arch is the most wonderful natural arch in Arches National Park. Though, I suggest you to visit them all. Double Arch was formed by water erosion and the larger opening has a 148-foot span and a maximum height of 104 feet. Double Arch was used as a backdrop for the opening scene of the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, though the cave shown in this movie doesn’t actually exist.
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9 The Azure Window, Malta
Unfortunately, over time natural arches can collapse since nature is always at work on them, sculpting and shaping them. Situated on the small island of Gozo, the Azure Window is one of those natural arches that can collapse within just several years. This arch is really captivating and I’m happy I have seen the Azure Window before it collapses.
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10 Shipton’s Arch, China
Situated northwest of Kashgar, in China’s Xinjiang Province, Shipton’s Arch is the world’s tallest natural arch. The arch wasn’t known to the world until its discovery in 1947. It was discovered by British mountaineer, Eric Shipton. Shipton’s Arch has the span of about 212 feet and a height of 1,200 feet (just imagine!) – it’s almost the height of the Empire State Building. Isn’t it majestic?
There are many beautiful natural arches in the world and this list can be endless. These 10 arches are just among the most popular and beautiful natural arches in the world really worth visiting. What do you think of this list? Have you ever visited any natural arch?
