The Powerscourt Waterfall drops 121 metres over a cliff of granite into a wooded valley about six kilometres south of the estate's main gardens. It is the highest waterfall in Ireland, and on a day with good flow it is genuinely impressive — a long, unbroken drop framed by birch and oak forest. The valley at the base has picnic areas, a tea kiosk, and walking trails that loop through the surrounding woodland.
The waterfall is accessed via a separate entrance from the main Powerscourt gardens (the estate charges separately for each). The road south from the estate gates through the deer park is scenic; you can also walk it in about an hour along a well-marked trail. In winter the valley is often mist-filled and atmospheric; in spring it is surrounded by bluebells.