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While some prefer a vacation relaxing on the beach, others look for an adventure with a dangerous thrill to it. From boiling-hot lakes to high peaks and deadly dives, these locations will get your heart racing.
It's important to note, however, that both experienced and inexperienced adrenaline junkies have died at these sites. So beware of the risks if you dare to visit any.
Ready? Click on to discover the most dangerous tourist attractions in the world
Also known as the "Gates of Hell," this flaming pit was formed in the 1970s when geologists drilled into a cave for oil, causing its natural gas field to collapse. To burn off the toxic gas, they set it on fire. Decades later, it's still burning in the remote Karakum Desert.
Death Valley in California lures visitors in with its surreal landscape of sand dunes, rock-salt spires, and salt flats. However, with a record temperature of 130°F (54.4°C), its extreme heat can be fatal.
A popular location for adventure hikers, Villarrica is one of South America’s most active volcanoes. It last erupted in 2015, spewing ash and lava up to 3,300 feet (1,000 m) in the air.
Located in China’s Shaanxi province, Mount Huashan has long been a place of pilgrimage thanks to its sacred five peaks and Taoist temples. It's also famous for its network of steep and dangerous trails that snake around the mountain.
Filled with red gorges and emerald pools, this wild and beautiful national park is an Australian pearl. However, located in the remote part of Western Australia, it's prone to extreme weather conditions and rockfalls, which have led to fatalities.
A dangerous place to access, the craggy isle off the coast of County Kerry was once home to monks. It has since been used as a filming location for 'Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens' (2015).
Built between 1901 and 1905 for construction workers carrying goods, the risky path attracts adrenaline junkies from around the world. With several hikers having fallen to their deaths there over the years, the path today has new visitor restrictions, making it much safer than it once was.
Climbing the world's tallest mountain is on the bucket list of many. At over 29,000 feet (8,850 m), Mount Everest attracts around 1,200 climbers each year. However, only about half ever reach the summit, and several others die trying. The main causes of death on Everest include subfreezing temperatures and changing altitudes. In 2019, 11 people died on the peak.
During the drier months of the year, the Zambezi River gets low enough to reveal the ultimate infinity pool at the edge of the world's highest waterfall, Victoria Falls. Swimmers take the plunge at their own risk, as they could be swept down the waterfall.
Located above Yosemite National Park in California, the 14-mile (22.5-km) round trip to the top takes hikers into the wilderness. It also has a reputation for dangerous and deadly conditions. After falling 500 feet (150 m) in 2019, one hiker was tragically killed.
One of Ireland's most impressive sights, the Cliffs of Moher feature a dramatic scenery that unfolds for five miles (eight km), reaching more than 700 feet (over 210 m) at its highest point. However, it comes with great danger. More than 30 accidental deaths have occurred here since the early 1990s.
A volcanic island, it had one of the deadliest eruptions in history when in 1883 around 36,000 people were killed. In 2018, a deadly tsunami triggered Anak Krakatau. Eruptions were also reported in 2020.
The highest mountain in Europe, Mont Blanc reaches around 15,780 feet (over 4,800 m). With 30,000 visitors per year, it's considered one of the deadliest mountains in Europe. This is mainly due to fatal climbing accidents resulting from lack of preparation, as well as treacherous terrain and changing weather conditions.
An overseas department and region of France located in the Indian Ocean, Réunion has exquisite and remarkably crowd-free beaches. However, it's unfortunately one of the most shark-infested spots in the world. Between 2011 and 2019, the island recorded 24 attacks and 11 fatalities.
Passing through five states, the 1,450-mile-long (over 2,330 km) Colorado River is a popular swimming spot for vacationers. However, what people don't realize is how dangerous the waters can be, particularly after heavy rains and an increase in melted snow. In fact, 2014 had a record of 15 deaths in the first seven months due to these conditions.
Set in an isolated point of the Reykjanes Peninsula, this active volcano has a 1,640-foot-long (500 m) opening. Unpredictable and hard to reach, the toxic gases and risk of eruption can be dangerous to visitors.
This impressive rock formation has become a popular spot for selfie-taking hikers. At around 3,600 feet (nearly 1,100 m) above sea level, there have sadly been reports of hikers falling to their deaths.
One of three active volcanoes in Hawaii, Kīlauea on the Big Island is the most dangerous one. In 2014 lava flew from it, reaching the town of Pahoa.
One of the world's most dangerous roads, North Yungas Road has become a thrilling ride for mountain bikers. A bumpy and narrow 40 mile (about 65-km) road, one wrong move and it can prove fatal.
One of the most scenic countries in the Caribbean, Dominica is also home to the intriguing, and potentially lethal, Boiling Lake. Flooded with fumarole, a crack on the Earth’s crust, it can spit up hot water and bubbles at its hottest. Best to keep a safe distance!
Under the jungle of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula lie three of the longest underwater cave systems in the world. These unmapped cave systems have become a magnate for divers who want to explore the ways between the natural sinkholes, known as cenotes. However, the tight spaces, darkness, and disorientation can lead to fatal events.
From avalanches and rockfalls to encounters with mountain lions, the Canadian Rockies are filled with danger. In 2019, three mountaineers were killed in an avalanche when attempting to scale a remote face of Howse Peak.
Mainly situated in Wyoming, the park spreads into parts of Montana and Idaho, too. On top of a volcanic hot spot, the real dangers for hikers and campers are the grizzly bears. However, on average we're talking just one bear attack per year.
One of the highest jumping sites in the world, it became famous thanks to the 1995 film 'Goldeneye,' when James Bond took the plunge. At 720 feet (220 m), adrenaline junkies flock to the sight in order to have their 007 moment.
The 10th-highest mountain on the planet, the Annapurna I is notoriously difficult to climb. Ranked as the world's most deadly peak for climbers, it has a high fatality rate due to its treacherous topography, inhospitable conditions, and high altitude.
Located north of Dahab in Egypt’s Red Sea, the Blue Hole is a popular dive site for daredevils. A sinkhole that drops down to depths of around 300 feet (about 90 m), it also has a notorious horizontal tunnel known as the Arch. Unfortunately, most fatalities happened after divers attempted to go through the Arch, which leads from the sinkhole into open water.
At 300 feet (90 m) high and 560 feet (170 m) long, the Trift Bridge in the Swiss Alps should be avoided by people with acrophobia (i.e fear of heights). One of the longest and highest pedestrian suspension bridges in the Alps, it takes three cable car rides to reach it.
A hike for the adrenaline junkie with plenty of stamina, the 11-mile (18-km) route can be lethal. With adverse weather, multiple deaths have occurred from falls and exposure.
Sources: (Insider) (loveEXPLORING)
See also: Natural wonders destroyed by tourists
The most dangerous tourist attractions in the world
These sites are far from a relaxing vacation spot!
TRAVEL Dangerous destinations
While some prefer a vacation relaxing on the beach, others look for an adventure with a dangerous thrill to it. From boiling-hot lakes to high peaks and deadly dives, these locations will get your heart racing.
It's important to note, however, that both experienced and inexperienced adrenaline junkies have died at these sites. So beware of the risks if you dare to visit any.
Ready? Click on to discover the most dangerous tourist attractions in the world