This one’s for the daredevils, the people of indomitable spirit, the slightly beserk ones who don’t understand fear. Every moment is a risk, why not make it larger than life? The following 9 places will take your breath away, literally!

1. Trolltunga, Norway

Trolltunga or ‘Trolls tongue’ is a hanging rock slab overlooking the blue lake Ringedalsvatnet, in Norway at about 2000 ft. Carved out of a cliff long back in the ice age, this horizontal piece of rock provides a most enchanting view of the surroundings to the adventurous visitor. But reaching this place is no mean task, it involves a four-hour or more (depending on your speed) steep and dangerous hike from Skjeggedal.

Skjeggedal, the point from which you can turn back if you develop cold feet, is about 7 km from Tyssedal village in the municipality of Odda in Norway. It is advisable to carry waterproof and windproof clothing, hiking boots, food and water for the trip. This hike to Trolltunga is only for those who are blessed with excellent health.

2. Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls

Image Source: Flickr @joepyerk

Devil’s Pool is a crazy place and crazier are the people risking death to visit this place. The pool is a natural formation at the lip of Victoria Falls, formed by the cascading waters of the Zambezi River. The only time to visit this place safely is when the water is less and its force not so great. A foolhardy person trying this place any other time might just be pushed over the cliff by the gushing water!

Image Source: Flickr @Aftab_Uzzaman

The pool is near Livingstone Island and visitors can hire guides to take them to the Zambian side of the falls, i.e., to the pool. It can be reached after a walk and swim down the Zambezi. If the waters give you cold feet (pun intended), turn back up the river to safety. All you need is a swimsuit, a camera and loads of courage!

3. Villarrica Volcano, Chile

Jumping into an active volcano – definitely not for everyone! We are talking about a bungee jump from a helicopter into the Villarrica volcano in Chile, for a photograph! The Villarrica is a snowy peak, which adventure enthusiasts climb, risking their lives, to take a peek at the occasionally rumbling volcano. The climb up is exerting, and the climb down is a fun slide down the icy tracks.

The trip up Villarrica starts from Pucon. This is where you turn back if the grumbling mountain scares you. It is advisable to engage some reputed trip organizers for safety gear and guides. Good health is a pre-requisite.

4. Yungas Road, Bolivia

Image Source: Flickr @Matthew_Dryden

Yungas Road, aka ‘the road of death’, seems unassuming but is highly dangerous and has claimed thousands of lives. The road is narrow and poorly maintained, but offers some fantastic views – a great mix of thrill and beauty. This 69 km snaking highway, three meters wide with sheer drops, lies between La Paz and Coroico and climbs a pass to about 15,000 feet. Vehicles topple over often and it is a wonder how anyone is willing to take the risk of travelling down this highway – blame it on the adrenalin rush.

The elevation of the Yungas Road starts from Nuestra Senora de La Paz at about 11,000 ft above the sea level. After ups and downs, the road descends to Coroico at about 4,000 ft. These are the points where you make a decision, to do or not to do!

5. Arctic Cliff Face, The Arctic

Have you ever dreamt of a room hanging from a cliff? Death-defying cliff climbers do just that to be at places that are out of bounds for the rest! They set up camps 4,000 feet above sea level, hanging from the vertical faces of cliffs in the Arctic. It’s not easy and neither is it safe. There are occasional showers of rock and debris rolling off cliffs and campers are at risk of being hit by these. Cliff climbing takes days and climbers, suspended by safety lines, set up hanging camps to take rest intermittently.

This option of camping is only for rock climbers and cliffhangers and can be attempted in various other places like Canada’s Baffin Island, Himalayas, Africa and Antarctica.

6. Huayna Picchu, Peru

Image Source: Flickr @Machu-picchu

A towering mountain near Machu Picchu offers a path, supposedly built by the Incas, to get around to Machu Picchu. Steps have been dug out of rocks for a climb up and down. The problems are unkempt trails, slippery steps, vertical staircases and high altitude. Many have slipped and met with unfortunate accidents here. But the human spirit is indomitable and the fantastic view that Huayna Picchu offers of Machu Picchu, has drawn tourists up the steps in spite of everything.

Tickets to the Machu Picchu area are available in Aguas Calientes or Cusco and the number of visitors allowed entry per day is limited. The climb up Huayna Picchu is for the physically fit and the brave of heart.

7. Mount Huashan, China

Image Source: Flickr @Clint

Mount Huashan has some of the most dangerous mountain trails along the face of cliffs, which are the only access to the five peaks. These trails were built for the holy people inhabiting the mountains. Now, with the influx of tourists, the paths have been reinforced, but are still associated with fatal falls. Adventure loving tourists feel thrilled to trek down this precarious mountain trail and walk up to the teahouse on the south peak. The journey starts at the base of the mountain with a flight of stairs called the ‘Heavenly Stairs’.

Make sure that you carry a helmet. If you have a fear of heights or dislike tea, DO NOT attempt.

8. Mt. Everest, Nepal and Tibet

Image Source: Flickr @Brad

Indeed the ultimate feat of adventure! Wrapped in snow, this mother of all mountains seduces with a ‘thrill that can kill’. On the border of Nepal and Tibet, just being at the base camp of this mountain is an awesome experience. Here you will get to hear spine-chilling stories of many failed climbers. But take heart and move up and who knows you might just succeed in conquering the Everest!

Once you reach the base camp and feel the sheer magnificence of the mountain, take a call on moving up. basic skills for this one include super mountain climbing abilities.

9. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

A crumbling bike trail that is just 4 ft wide running down the Cliffs of Moher is what awaits you. At 700 ft above the Atlantic Ocean, those who have tried it say the view is sure worth it!

You have got to be pro level at bicycling to try this one. You can also just enjoy the view and not risk your life.

Cheers to the human spirit, we have always pushed the boundaries to conquer the impossible. Know of more places that are worth risking your life to see? Shoot off in the comments section.

Anjali Nayyar

Anjali loves to read, philosophize, travel and spend time with her family. With a Masters in Sociology, Anjali ended up as a writer instead of a sociologist. She believes that writing is a channel through which one can express one's innermost self and express one's uniqueness, the gift of life, for all to savor.

Comments

comments