Lisbon Falls

Mpumalanga features dozens of waterfalls, of which the highest - at 92m / 300 ft - is the Lisbon Falls. It’s located a short way from Graskop and just off the R532. The latter is the main road for travellers exploring the very popular Panorama Route along the nearby escarpment and Blyde River Canyon. While not regarded as part of the Panorama Route, Lisbon Falls can easily be included on the same day.

The Falls is located on the Lisbon River where it falls from a plateau into a ravine. Lisbon Falls, the River and a nearby farm are all named after the capital of Portugal. Mpumalanga features many European town and city names - whether for towns or other features, mostly due to a 19th century gold rush. Thus two other nearby waterfalls are called the Berlin Falls and The Mac Mac Falls. The latter named for the many Scottish gold diggers who flocked to the area, many of whom had surnames starting with Mac or Mc.

Access to Lisbon Falls couldn’t be easier with a road leading right up to the edge of the ravine. The Falls could be included in a day’s touring as a quick stop, as it’s clearly visible right from the little car park. Or you can linger and shop for arts and crafts from the traders that set up stalls daily, have a picnic or hike around the top of the Falls.

For the adventurous it is possible to find your way down to the bottom of the Falls and even take a swim in the pool and river below.

Tours that include Lisbon Falls

Lisbon Falls attractions

Panorama Route

The scenic Panorama Route, with various viewpoints, runs along the top of a section of the escarpment between the Mpumalanga Highveld and Lowveld. It offers incredible views, we strongly recommend it. The Route may be approached from Ohrigstad or from the logging town of Graskop.

Three Rondavels Viewpoint

Of all the view sites along the majestic Panorama Route, Three Rondavels arguably offers the best views. The view point, ±60 km north of Graskop, lies just above the broadest section of the Blyde River Canyon.

God's Window

God's Window, part of the popular Panorama Route, is a viewpoint on the Mpumalanga Escarpment with beautiful vistas of the Lowveld below. God's Window is clearly signposted from the R534. It's a 50m walk from the car park to the edge of the escarpment.

The Pinnacle

The Pinnacle is the first viewpoint on the Panorama Route, if you approach the Route from the town of Graskop. It is a 30m- / 100ft high quartzite rock needle in a ravine that leads to the Lowveld below. The Ngwaritsane River flows down the ravine, cascading over eight waterfalls.

Graskop

Graskop is a small logging town situated on the Mpumalanga Highveld, right on the edge of the escarpment with easy access to the Lowveld. Graskop is an Afrikaans word meaning "head of grass" or "grassy hillock". It is the perfect base from which to explore the magnificently scenic Panorama Route.

Bourke's Luck Potholes

The Bourke's Luck Potholes is one of the stops on the Panorama Route in South Africa. At this viewpoint visitors have the opportunity to walk along pathways and to view the potholes created by the fast flowing Blyde- and Treur Rivers in the rock bed of the river.