11 Bucket-List Destinations That Might Kill You
The world is full of weird and wonderful places, some of them are beautiful, others not so much. You’ll find plenty of information about the world’s most stunning paradises, but what about some lesser-known, more exciting destinations? If you’re a thrill-seeker who doesn’t mind a bit of danger, these 11 dangerous and deadly destinations might be for you.
Danakil Desert, Eritrea
The Danakil Desert is located in Eritrea, a relatively small country in East Africa. Temperatures often reach a scorching 50 degrees Celsius, making it one of the hottest places on earth. It’s not just the extreme temperatures you have to be wary of, though! There are many active volcanoes in the area, and geysers spew poisonous gasses into the atmosphere. The whole landscape looks toxic with a yellow and green tinge. It’s extremely hard to breathe here due to the lack of oxygen, so if you do fancy visiting, we’d recommend only staying for a short time!
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is extremely popular with tourists, attracting over 4.5 million visitors annually. Around 12 people die while visiting each year, and there have been over 600 deaths in total. The main causes of death include dehydration, heatstroke, and exhaustion. Make sure you stay well hydrated as the blistering Arizonian heat is unforgiving.
Chernobyl, Ukraine
Most people know about the Chernobyl disaster that happened in 1986, where one of the nuclear reactors at the city’s power plant exploded. Radioactive material was released into the air, contaminating the surrounding environment. The radioactive contamination is still present to this day, and prolonged exposure can cause cancer.
Despite the obvious dangers, thousands of tourists visit each year to get a glimpse of the eerily quiet area. There are very strict rules in place, such as not being allowed to walk in certain areas, and visits are kept very short due to the negative health effects of radiation exposure.
Lake Natron, Tanzania
Lake Natron, in the African nation of Tanzania, is covered in an alkaline salt crust that looks absolutely stunning. The blood-red lake looks tempting to swim in, but we warned, it is extremely toxic. Many people have died from touching the lake, and swimming is strictly forbidden, so don’t pack your swimming trunks or bikini.
Mont Blanc, France/Italy
Despite being one of Europe’s most stunning natural wonders, Mont Blanc is one of the world’s most dangerous places to hike. The peak is 15,774 feet high, and the strong winds can reach over 60 miles per hour. Every year the mountain sees 20,000 people attempt the journey to the top, but not everybody makes it. There are between 30 and 70 deaths each year, which is partially caused by inexperienced hikers trying to reach the peak. Mont Blanc is certainly worth a visit, but if you’re not an experienced hiker, we would recommend viewing the mountain from a distance.
Mount Everest, Nepal/Tibet
Mount Everest is the tallest and most famous mountain peak in the world. Standing at over 29,000 feet, it’s also the most dangerous: if you are lucky enough to make it to the top, there’s a 10% chance you won’t make it back down alive. Even the journey to the base camp is very dangerous, and many climbers have succumbed to altitude sickness while trying to reach the peak.
Yungas Road (Death Road), Bolivia
Yungas Road, also known as Death Road, is a 43-mile-long stretch of road that runs between La Paz and Coroico in Bolivia. It’s considered to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world, with hundreds of deaths happening there each year. The road twists and turns along treacherous cliffs, which are up to 2,000 feet high, and there are no guard rails protecting people from the edge. Cyclists and bikers are particularly vulnerable, and around 25,000 mountain bikers pass through each year. Each death is marked by a small wooden cross, so expect to see many of them dotted along the roadside if you decide to make the journey.
Mount Hua Plank Walk, China
The Plank Walk at Mount Hua offers some stunning views and is worth a visit, but it carries some risk. More than 100 people die here each year due to the dangerous paths. The paths are very narrow, with steep stairs to climb and extreme vertical ascents. The only thing to hold on to is a small chain, so don’t lose your balance! Some Chinese hikers make the trip during nighttime so that they can reach the East Peak before sunrise. It’s also supposedly safer at night, as the dangers can’t be seen, but we’re not sold on that logic!
Ilha da Queimada Grande (Snake Island), Brazil
It’s illegal to visit Snake Island, yet many people still make the trip each year by bribing local fishermen to take them. As you’ve probably guessed by the name, there are lots of snakes inhabiting the island. However, these aren’t just any old snakes; they’re Bothrops Insularis, aka Golden Lanceheads. If that means nothing to you, just know that they’re the most venomous snakes on the planet. Plenty of deaths have been recorded on the island, all caused by snake attacks. There are no inhabitants on Snake Island, and humans no longer operate the island’s lighthouse as the last lighthouse keeper died from a snake bite!
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Despite being regarded as one of the best surf towns in the world, New Smyrna Beach in Florida is deadly. The beach is located in Volusia County, also known as the shark bite capital of the world. Shark attacks regularly happen here; last year in the U.S. alone, there were 53 shark attacks, 32 of them in Florida, and 15 of them at New Smyrna Beach. While most attacks are not fatal, they are certainly unpleasant and require medical attention. If you decide to visit, be careful not to end up as shark food.
Bikini Atoll, The Marshall Islands
Bikini Atoll looks like paradise, with stunning waters and beautiful beaches. What could be so dangerous about that? Well, it has a sinister past that makes it a deadly place to visit. Back in the mid-1900s, the islands were used by the United States to test nuclear bombs. The radioactive fallout from the bombs contaminated the entire region, and the radiation levels are still high enough to cause cancer. In fact, the radiation levels are around 10 times higher than those in Chernobyl! The island’s inhabitants had to leave the area for good, and organisms are still affected by the radioactivity to this day.
There are plenty of destinations to visit if you’re up for a dangerous and exciting adventure. These places may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we’re sure there are some thrill-seekers out there who’d jump at the chance to visit one of these deadly destinations. If you’re one of those people, we’d recommend doing some research and exercising extreme caution, as unfortunately, people do lose their lives in some of these places each year.