A ravine is a narrow, steep-sided valley carved into the earth by flowing water over thousands of years. Picture a deep gash in the landscape, with rocky or dirt walls dropping sharply on both sides and often a creek or stream running along the bottom. Ravines are smaller than canyons but more dramatic than gentle valleys.

You might encounter a ravine while hiking through woods or hills. Unlike a flat valley where you can easily walk across, a ravine makes you stop and think: climbing down one side and up the other takes real effort. The sides might be covered with trees clinging to the slopes, or they might be bare rock faces. Some ravines have trails zigzagging down to the bottom, while others are too steep and wild to cross safely.

Ravines form when water runs over the same path for centuries, slowly eroding the soil and rock. Heavy rains can make a small ravine grow deeper and wider over time.