Our world is magnificent with beautiful natural wonders that attract several visitors right through the year. However, there are some wonders that can scare the living daylights out of you, or have you toying with the urge to flirt with death and disaster. While the common man might just say no to visiting these places, destiny defying adventure seekers know them only too well.
1. Trolltunga, Norway
Literally translated as Troll's Tongue, Trolltunga is one of the most spectacular scenic cliffs in Norway. It is 1100 meters above sea level, hovering 700 metres above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. The view is breathtaking. The hike goes through high mountains, and takes 8-10 hours in total (to Trolltunga and back), and the ascent is about 900 meters. The hike is usually possible to do from mid June, depending on when the snow melts in the mountains. Do carry an extra pair of pants if you plan on peeking over the edge.
2. Siju Caves, Meghalaya
The Siju Cave in Meghalaya is the first limestone natural cave in India. It is also home to a flimsy rope bridge that connects the summits of two hills. Its wobbliness will make you freak out. Extra pants are always a good idea!
3. Huayna Picchu
The ancient city of Machu Picchu is best viewed atop the summit of this mountain. However, getting there is the hard part. Inhospitable terrain, narrow and steep stairs, and high altitudes can be pretty unnerving.
4. Hussaini Hanging Bridge, Northern Pakistan
Located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan, this bridge served as a connection across the Borit Lake in Upper Hunza. This rope bridge is both long and poorly maintained. Many planks are missing, and strong winds shake the bridge as you cross it. A previous, older, broken bridge hangs in tatters next to the "new" one, not something that would ease your nerves.
Despite its dangerous looks, the Hussaini is a relatively safe bridge and has become something of a tourist draw, with hikers testing their nerves as they carefully work their way across.
5. Mont Blanc Box, France
We're not talking about the luxury brand, but the glass box that stands 12,604 feet over the rocks to give you a 360 degree view from Europe's tallest peak. Engineers have assured visitors about its structural durability and the technology that prevents this box from toppling off the edge. But is that enough?
6. Mount Huashan, China
Visitors flock to this mountain in China which is famous for its almost vertical stair cases, steep edges, and the creaky wooden planks that are bolted onto the sides of the mountain.
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7. Moher Cliffs, Ireland
This biking trail in Ireland would give an extreme adventure sports fanatic an orgasm. The winding track is 4 feet in width at its widest portion and was featured as the "cliffs of insanity" in the 1987 movie 'The Princess Bride'.
8. The Trift Suspension Bridge, Switzerland
The Trift Bridge is one of the most spectacular pedestrian suspension bridges of the Swiss Alps. It is 100 meters high and 170 meters long, and is poised above the region of the Trift Glacier. Even reaching the bridge through the ravine by cable car is an adventure.
9. Phugtal Monastery, Ladakh, India
Located in the Zanskar region of Ladakh, the monastery is a unique construction of mud and timber. It is built at the entrance of a cave on the cliff-face of a lateral gorge of a major tributary of the Lungnak (Lingti-Tsarap) River. From a distance, the monastery looks like a giant honeycomb.
This is the only monastery that can be reached by foot. The altitude and limited options for food make it a little difficult for visitors to adapt to.
10. El Caminito Del Rey, Spain
Known as the "Little Pathway of the King," this was built in 1905 and has had little to no repairs done until recently. Therefore, bold climbers enjoy braving the sections that are dangerous and completely disintegrated.
11. Devils Pool, Zambia
The Devil's Pool forms the lip of the Victoria Falls, Africa's highest waterfall, which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe. A lot of visitors have lost their lives trying to get the perfect view of the 355 foot cascade but that hasn't stopped the local tourism industry from stopping tourists from visiting it.
12. Stolen Chimney, Fisher Tower, USA
The Stolen Chimney is a route located on the Ancient Arts tower, one of the Fisher Towers in Moab National Park, Utah. This is the most common route to ascend the Corkscrew Summit of the tower, which is the western most summit of the Ancient Arts tower but is not the tallest. The summit is noteworthy for its extremely unusual shape which makes climbing this technically different from most other climbs.
13. Kjeragbolten, Norway
Kjeragbolten is a rock wedged between two boulders in the Kjerag mountain and has long been a famed photo op spot. It was featured in the 2006 Visa viral video 'Where the hell is Matt?', where traveler Matt Harding danced atop the precarious boulder. Due to its enormous popularity, long lines usually form with people who want to have a photo from the site. Expected waiting time can be anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. Let's just hope gravity doesn't decide to have its way anytime soon.
