Arches come in all shapes and sizes but there are a few of them that are just mind-blowing. Nature has a way of crafting these structures that have a beauty all their own that no man-made construction can replicate.
To create a template for the arch, drive two nails into a piece of lumber that matches the width of the arch frame. Next, tie a piece of string around both focus points with a little bit of slack.
1. Kolob Arch
Kolob Arch is a stunning natural arch in the back country of Zion National Park. The arch has a measured span of 310 feet and is one of the largest free standing arches in the world. This magnificent spectacle was first discovered by a park ranger in 1948 and was featured in a National Geographic article in January of 1954.
The arch is classified as an adult alcove natural arch forming as the result of vertical joint expansion and wall collapse on an exposed cliff of Navajo Sandstone in the Kolob Canyons area of Zion National Park, Utah. It is an impressive sight that can only be viewed from the arch trail or from a helicopter tour.
It is a favorite destination for photographers and hikers. Anderson Design Group has produced a stunning poster that captures the beauty of this arch at sunset, when the last rays of sunlight streak through the arch and highlight its unique shape.
2. Aloba Arch
Located in Chad’s Ennedi Range, Aloba Arch is an astonishingly tall natural bridge. It’s nearly 150 feet taller than Utah’s Rainbow Bridge.
The arch forms in a field of parallel fins that run in a NW to SE direction. The lintel of the arch is in the SE-most fin. The SE abutment of the arch projects into a bowed valley that resembles an abandoned stream meander.
The genesis of this unique structure seems to be the result of a coincidence of processes that do not normally occur together. Classifying this structure as either a buttress or meander natural arch has some problems. However, the genesis scenario is compelling enough that it deserves serious consideration.
3. Rainbow Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge is a beautiful natural bridge that spans a canyon in Utah. The bridge is 290 feet tall and 275 feet across and is considered to be the largest natural bridge in the world.
The bridge was formed by erosion over time by water. This was caused by the extreme climate fluctuations in the area that alternately saw the region as a sea and then a desert. This process shaped the sandstone to form rock arches and alcoves, including Rainbow Bridge.
The bridge is sacred to the Navajo people and is seen as proof of the existence of the deities who send rain, clouds, and rainbows – essential to life in the desert. It is open to the public and can be visited on foot. In the evening, the bridge is lit up using solar energy to provide a lovely nighttime display.
4. Landscape Arch
The slender, 306-foot long Landscape Arch seems to defy gravity. At one time it was the largest natural rock span in the world (though accurate measurements of a handful of arches in China put it out of contention).
It is still a jaw-dropping sight, especially considering its thinnest section is only six feet thick! It’s a miracle that the arch stands at all. In the past two decades chunks of sandstone have fallen from it, including a 47-foot mass on September 1, 1991 and a 60-foot slab on June 5, 1995. For this reason the park service no longer allows people to hike underneath.
The trail to Landscape Arch travels through Devils Garden, a jumble of weird and wonderful sandstone fins, spires and knobs. The broad, easy trail is popular and deservedly so-it offers impressive views of this wonder.
5. Tianmen Mountian
Tianmen Mountain is a stunning natural wonder located in Zhangjiajie. It is known for its unique karst formation, which creates a surreal and otherworldly environment. It is a popular destination for hiking and offers a fascinating exploration experience. The area is also home to a variety of plants and wildlife.
The mountain is named after a natural hole in the rock, which resembles a giant doorway to heaven. It is also home to a reconstructed temple on its summit and a glass skywalk, which provides a thrilling experience for daring visitors. There are 999 steps that lead to the arch, which is a number considered auspicious in Chinese culture and represents eternity.
In order to qualify as an arch, the rock must have an unbroken arc with properly spaced joints and be exposed. Utah has many arches that meet these criteria, including Morning Glory Natural Bridge near Moab (misnamed as a natural bridge in some guides), Sipapu Natural Bridge in the Colorado Plateau, and Stevens Arch in Dinosaur National Monument.
6. Tianmen Cave
Whether draped in flowers or blanketed with snow, the world’s most beautiful arches capture people’s attention with their unmistakable beauty. Natural-crafted by millennia of weathering and erosion, their geometric symmetry and gravity-defying forms inspire awe and wonder.
Located in Zhangjiajie, China, Tianmen Cave is not only one of the highest-standing natural arches but also a popular hiking destination. It is often referred to as Heaven’s Gate Mountain, and some believe it is home to a mystical force.
Utah is the most famous state for its amazing natural rock arches, but it’s not alone. Many other states have impressive arches, including a long-standing world record holder: Aloba Arch in Chad, Africa. Aloba is the longest normal arch in the world. Its shape is due to karstic weathering.
7. Pont d’Arc
The natural bridge of Pont d’Arc is a geological wonder located in the Ardeche region in south-western France. It spans the calm waters of the Ardeche River and stands at over 50 meters high. The site is also home to the famous Chauvet cave, a Paleolithic painted sanctuary that houses some of the world’s oldest cave paintings.
Uranium-series dating of the meander abandonment surface reveals that the natural arch of Pont d’Arc formed between 108 and 138 ka cal BP, well before Upper Palaeolithic frequentations of the Chauvet cave. Moreover, the Pont d’Arc natural arch probably pierced the proximate Chataigniers cave system prior to this time.
The Pont d’Arc is an emblem of the Ardeche and a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. It is a great place for canoeists and swimmers as it has two sandy beaches that are perfect for relaxing on a sunny summer day.
8. Woodpecker Arch
Mother Nature’s natural stone artwork literally bridged the gap between spaces long before construction crews used steel and cables. The iconic shape captivates the senses with unique symmetry and geometry and gravity-defying form.
While some arches, like Landscape Arch and Rainbow Bridge, are right next to trails, others require serious bushwhacking or climbing to reach. For example, Kolob Arch is scabbed onto the side of a cliff and has a complicated shape; in-place measurements are impossible, but accurate triangulation on various photos gave it a span of 287 feet.
Other arch-shaped rock features can also create “bridges,” but the best are those with large alcoves – and Utah has them in abundance. These arch-shaped features are carved out of thick, isotropic sandstone and often have weaknesses that allow them to develop their inherently stable, curved shapes.
9. Arches National Park
Arches are natural architectural masterpieces that attract throngs of people to admire them. Some are in remote mountain areas, while others stand right next to rock walls.
Utah is home to the most arches, and most are carved from granite or sandstone. These formations are especially susceptible to weathering, which creates weaknesses that become arch shapes.
Salmon-colored Entrada and buff-colored Navajo sandstone form much of the landscape in the park. Most of the park’s 2,000 arches are shaped from these rocks.
Unfortunately, the number of visitors to this iconic National Park has skyrocketed in recent years. To address this problem, starting in April, the Park Service will institute a timed entry program for those who wish to visit the park. This should help reduce traffic, parking lot congestion, and trail crowds. It’s also one way the park hopes to minimize its impact on the fragile desert ecosystem.
10. Grand Canyon
With its plunging depths and temple-like buttes, Grand Canyon is one of the most visually powerful landscapes in the world. Its walls expose layers of rock spanning all four of Earth’s geologic epochs, and caves shelter fossil assemblages.
The gorge was cut by the Colorado River and its tributaries during the late Cenozoic. Vigorous erosion shaped the canyon’s deep profile while slow widening resulted in its distinctive shape.
Its arid climate and remote location make it an important resource for studying human adaptation to a challenging environment. Over the millennia, the canyon has been used, loved, feared, exploited for profit, and cherished as inspiration by many different peoples. This oversized natural wonder has also become an iconic cultural landscape, and visitors are drawn to its dramatic beauty and profound meanings.
