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All Indonesia Merek Sipiso-piso Waterfall
AO Edited

Sipiso-piso Waterfall

One of Indonesia's tallest, this waterfall takes a 390-foot plunge into the Lake Toba caldera.

Merek, Indonesia

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Max Cortesi
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  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  NOVA BARUS/CC BY-SA 4.0
  DROPROPE/CC BY-SA 3.0
Lake Toba   Klim Levene/CC BY 2.0
Lake Toba   Yudhapohan/CC BY-SA 4.0
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As a caldera formed by the eruption of a supervolcano, Lake Toba is surrounded by interesting geological formations. One of these is Sipiso-piso waterfall, which translates literally as “like a knife.” An underground river that runs along the Karo Plateau comes to a sudden 390-foot plunge before joining the waters of the lake. Water pours out of an opening in the cliff as if it had just broken through it.

Sipiso-piso is located in the hills, at an altitude of about 2,600 feet above sea level. The land surrounding the falls is filled with pine forests. In Sumatra, vegetation tends to be lush, but a massive waterfall is a never-ending source of mist, and the resulting emerald-green of the nearby flora is simply spectacular.

A well-trodden but badly maintained trail leads from the main viewpoint down to the base of the waterfall.  It requires medium physical fitness to descend and, above all, ascend back to the viewpoint.

Related Tags

Waterfalls Water Geology Volcanoes

Know Before You Go

There is a snack shop along the way up/down. Getting anywhere near the base of the fall entails a wet and slippery hike. A sad drawback of the hike is that it is strewn with rubbish left behind by disrespectful visitors.

Community Contributors

Added By

Max Cortesi

Edited By

TinaK, Michelle Cassidy

  • TinaK
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

July 13, 2021

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipisopiso
  • https://authentic-indonesia.com/blog/sipiso-piso-waterfall-a-piece-of-heaven-in-the-world/
Sipiso-piso Waterfall
Jl. Sapo Juma Tongging
Pengambaten
Merek, 22173
Indonesia
2.916487, 98.519504
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Nearby Places

The Toba Caldera

Ronggur Nihuta, Indonesia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Indonesia

Indonesia

Asia

Places 69
Stories 33

Nearby Places

The Toba Caldera

Ronggur Nihuta, Indonesia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Indonesia

Indonesia

Asia

Places 69
Stories 33

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