The most overrated and underrated natural wonders

The natural wonders of the world have attracted visitors for generations. From lush green forests to pink sand beaches and stunning glaciers, Earth is home to some incredibly beautiful bucket list locations.

In fact, in the era of Instagram, the appetite for visiting the world’s most beautiful places has never been bigger. There are even concerns in some areas that social media is fueling overtourism that causes specific problems for local people. Millions of tourists visit Iceland each year for trips to the Blue Lagoon, hugely outnumbering the 400,000 residents and leading to habitat degradation.

Maybe one of the best ways to explore natural beauty is to find the hidden gems, and avoid the areas already overcrowded.

And since Iceland is home to some of the world's most famous natural wonders, Icewear expanded the search to explore spectacular natural sites across the globe. Which of these natural wonders live up to the hype? With this study, Icewear aimed to find out which natural wonders are really worth the visit, whether some of them are overrated, and the hidden gems that are deemed the most beautiful places on Earth. For this article, look beyond the Icelandic borders to discover out which natural wonders offer the best experiences to visitors.

The study relied on over 54,000 Google reviews from 75 natural wonders around the world. The reviews were analysed for positive words such as "relaxing," "amazing,” and "beautiful" to determine which locations offer the most underrated and overrated experiences. 

Key findings#

• Hoh Rain Forest in Washington, U.S., tops the rankings as the most underrated natural wonder, with 69.6% of visitor reviews using positive words like “beautiful” and “amazing.”

• America’s Crater Lake was crowned the most beautiful natural wonder, with 28.9% of visitors calling it “beautiful” in their reviews, followed by Canada’s Moraine Lake (28.5%) and Hoh Rain Forest in the U.S. (26.5%).

• The most breathtaking natural wonder in the world is the Moraine Lake in Canada, with 7.3% of reviewers describing it as such.

• Königsstuhl Kreidefelsen and Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, both in Germany, are deemed the most overrated natural wonders, with only 1.4% of reviews describing them with words like “beautiful,” “breathtaking” or “amazing.”

• Iceland features twice in the top 30 list of natural wonders, with the Stuðlagil Canyon and Vatnajökull National Park among the most underrated.

• Five of the top 30 most underrated natural wonders are located in the U.S., including lakes, glaciers, and hot springs.

• Two German and two Brazilian locations feature in the list of the top ten most overrated natural wonders.

The world’s top 30 most underrated natural wonders#

If you’re considering visiting some of the best natural wonders in the world, Icewear has compiled the list below based on the percentage of positive visitor reviews.

1. Hoh Rain Forest, United States

Located in the Olympic National Park in Washington, the Hoh Rain Forest tops the list with the highest proportion of positive reviews at 69.6%. It is one of five U.S. natural wonders to feature on the top 30 most underrated list. Thanks to the yearly average rainfall of 140 inches (or 11 feet 8 inches), the forest is home to a dense green canopy of deciduous and coniferous trees, including Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, and Big Leaf Maple.

The Hoh River Trail, Spruce Nature Trail, and Hall of Mosses provide plenty of hiking opportunities, and all-season campsites keep visitors coming back year after year.

1. Crater Lake, United States

The history of Crater Lake in Oregon goes back some 7,700 years, with Native Americans witnessing its formation following a large volcanic eruption. The lake is incredibly pure, the deepest in the United States, and boasts some of the most beautiful blue water in the world. Crater Lake is the second-highest-rated natural wonder, with our research finding 68.5% of reviews were positive.

Visitors can take part in a wide range of activities alongside the lake’s beautiful scenery, like hiking, camping, fishing, and snowshoe walking, all year round.

1. Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, United States

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Juneau, Alaska, the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center has 67.2% positive reviews from visitors, based on the most recent 1,000 reviews. The Meddenhall Glacier is a thirteen-mile-long river of ice, connected to the 1,500 square mile Juneau Ice Field. 

Visitors can enjoy the stunning views, including floating blue icebergs in the Mendenhall Lake and towering mountain peaks. You can also explore trails featuring waterfalls, salmon streams, and wildlife sightings such as black bears, porcupines, and bald eagles.

Europe’s most underrated natural wonders#

Many of the world's most underrated natural wonders are located in Europe, from enchanting caves to impressive lakes. The data below explores the top five European spots based on positive visitor reviews.

1. Staffa National Nature Reserve - Fingal’s Cave, Scotland

The best reviewed natural wonder in Europe is the Staffa National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Staffa in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, with 62.8% of recent reviews being positive. Staffa is known for its famous hexagonal rock columns and the magical Fingal’s Cave, whose acoustics provided inspiration for Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture.

1. Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

The second-best European natural wonder, with 46.3% positive reviews, is the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Located on the north coast of County Antrim, the Giant’s Causeway is a rock feature made up of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. The columns were formed by volcanic eruptions 50-60 million years ago, and the structure is Ireland’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.

Upon visiting the Giant’s Causeway, you can head to the sustainable visitor centre, take part in guided walking tours and view interactive exhibitions.

1. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher are third on the list of top European natural wonders. Located on the West Clare Coast, the Cliffs of Moher were named Ireland’s Best Visitor Attraction in 2023. Visitors can walk along the paved pathways and enjoy the stunning views of the Aran Islands and the Atlantic Ocean.

Folklore fans may be especially keen to visit the cliffs as they are said to be home to mythical creatures like Mermaids, witches, and even a lost city.

Iceland#

Two of Iceland’s natural wonders appear in Europe’s top ten most underrated natural wonders, with the Stuðlagil Canyon at #4 and Vatnajökull National Park at #6.

1. Stuðlagil Canyon

Located in the Jokuldalur Valley in East Iceland, the Stuðlagil Canyon is an epic basalt rock formation which was only discovered in 2009. The Jökulsá á dal River’s water level was lowered during a hydroelectric project, revealing the unique columns underneath. 

A bright blue glacial river flows through the canyon at certain periods during the year, and the spot has become a key attraction for travelers on Eastfjords tours and visitors from local towns.

1. Vatnajökull

Another Icelandic wonder that makes the top list, the Vatnajökull National Park was established in 2008, surrounding Europe’s biggest glacier, Vatnajökull. The park covers 13% of Iceland, with diverse landscapes carved by glaciers, rivers, and volcanic activity.

Also found inside the park are Iceland’s biggest glacier lagoons, Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón, the country’s highest peak Hvannadalshnúkur, and black sand deposits from the river Skeiðará.

The world’s most overrated natural wonders#

As well as looking for the most underrated hidden gems around the world, this study has uncovered the most overrated natural wonders. These were ranked based on the lowest number of reviews featuring certain positive words like “beautiful,” “amazing” and “breathtaking.”

1. = Königsstuhl Kreidefelsen, Germany

The Königsstuhl (King’s Chair) is a chalk cliff located on Rügen Island, Germany, within the Jasmund National Park. It sits at 387 feet (118 meters) high and is a well-known landmark on the Baltic Sea, having formed over 60 million years ago. This natural wonder was found to be tied as the most overrated, with the fewest reviews containing words like “beautiful,” “amazing” and “enjoyable” (1.4%).

1. = Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, Germany

Also tied in first place as the most overrated natural wonder is the Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes in Thuringia, Germany, with only 1.4% of reviews including common positive words. They were created in 1914 from a former mine and are classified in the Guinness Book of Records as “the most colourful show caves in the world.” The grottoes feature colourful stalactites, which visitors can explore on guided tours, as well as the adjoining “Grottoneum” adventure museum.

3. Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, Brazil

Coming in third on the list of most overrated natural wonders is the Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The park was created in 1999 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025. It sits within an environmental protection area and features key sites like the Peruaçu River and the Janelão cave.

Natural wonders by keywords#

As well as ranking the natural wonders that were the most positively rated overall, Icewear has also broken down the best natural wonders by specific words. Below you can learn more about the most beautiful, amazing and breathtaking wonders the natural world has to offer.

Crater Lake is the most beautiful natural wonder#

Crater Lake in the U.S. tops the list of most beautiful natural wonders, with 28.9% of reviews describing this location as “beautiful.” 

Situated in Oregon, Crater Lake is widely regarded as one of the most pristine lakes in the world, captivating visitors with its striking beauty. Due to its high elevation level, this natural wonder is sometimes hidden by cloud cover. However, those planning a trip can view a live webcam to check current visibility conditions before setting out.

Moraine Lake in Canada came second with 28.5% of reviews describing it as “beautiful.” Found in Banff National Park, Alberta, Moraine Lake is open from June to October and offers hiking routes for both seasoned or casual hikers. 

Hoh Rain Forest in the U.S. comes third on the list of most beautiful natural wonders. 26.5% of reviews used the word “beautiful” to describe this luscious green rain forest nestled in the Olympic National Park in Washington. 

The Pinnacles Desert is the most amazing natural wonder#

Icewear's study also found Australia’s Pinnacles Desert is considered the most amazing natural wonder with 15.7% of reviewers describing this location as “amazing.” Located around two hours drive away from Perth, the Pinnacles Desert is made up of natural limestone structures, some even as tall as 11 feet 5 inches (3.5 meters) high. 

Staffa National Nature Reserve, Fingal's Cave in Scotland also makes the list of amazing natural wonders, with 15.2% of reviews featuring the word “amazing.” This stunning natural wonder is home to a whole host of wildlife, from puffins to guillemots and was formed by volcanic eruptions over millions of years ago.

The Underwater Waterfall in Mauritius is the third most amazing natural wonder, with 13.3% of reviews describing it as such.

Moraine Lake is the most breathtaking natural wonder#

Not only is Moraine Lake one of the most beautiful natural wonders, our research found that it is also the most breathtaking with 7.3% reviewing it as such.

Another natural wonder described by visitors as the most breathtaking is the Milford Sound / Piopiotahi in New Zealand. Our study found that the word “breathtaking” featured in 6.7% of reviews, placing it second on the list. Visitors can enjoy walks, hikes, boat cruises and kayaking at this location, and might even spot some wildlife during their trip including dolphins and seals. 

The analysis of reviews placed the Twelve Apostles in third with 6.5% of visitors describing it as “breathtaking.” This seven-strong collection of 148-foot-high limestone stacks is located on the shores of the Southern Ocean in Victoria, Australia. Those wishing to get a clear view of the stacks can take a scenic helicopter flight from the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre, or visit the surrounding attractions, including shipwrecks, gorges, and the oldest lighthouse in Australia.

Methodology#

The study used existing online sources to identify locations worldwide that are widely recognized as “natural wonders.” An initial list of 120 locations was compiled, after which sites with fewer than 500 Google reviews were excluded to ensure each location had a sufficiently large and reliable sample of visitor feedback.

Google reviews were collected up to January 2026, working backwards chronologically. The date range of reviews analyzed varies by location depending on review volume. Semantic analysis across this dataset, screening for references to more than 30 positive keywords  including terms such as "relaxing," "amazing," and "beautiful." False positives, such as negated phrases like "not relaxing" or "not beautiful" were automatically identified and removed through semantic analysis. In total, the final dataset included 15,580 positive reviews.

Natural wonders in Russia, North Korea and Israel were excluded following FCDO travel advice. 

To ensure accuracy:

• False positives and negatives (such as “not beautiful” or “not relaxing”) were manually removed.

• Only English-language reviews were included to maintain consistency across all locations.

Sources#

1. https://sustonmagazine.com/overtourism-caused-by-social-media/

2. https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-the-hoh.htm

3. https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm

4. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r10/tongass/offices/mendenhall-glacier-visitor-center

5. https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/staffa/things-to-do

6. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/giants-causeway

7. https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/

8. https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/studlagil-canyon-iceland

9. https://www.visiticeland.com/article/vatnajokull

10. https://entdecke-deutschland.de/en/bundeslaender/mecklenburg-vorpommern/ruegens-kreidefelsen/

11. https://placesofgermany.de/en/places/fairy-grotto/

12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavernas_do_Perua%C3%A7u_National_Park

13. https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/moraine-lake

14. https://www.australiascoralcoast.com/see-do/national-parks/the-pinnacles 

15. https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/staffa 

16. https://www.newzealand.com/us/milford-sound/ 

17. https://www.milford-sound.co.nz/about/milford-sound-wildlife/ 

18. https://www.australia.com/en-gb/places/melbourne-and-surrounds/guide-to-the-12-apostles.html