Beaches infested with sharks, whirlpools ten meters in diameter, frozen roads, caves that trap divers, or killer mountains. We review some of the most beautiful and dangerous natural places on our planet. In these 50 destinations, there’s no such thing as too much caution.

The Alaska Route 11, better known as the James Dalton Highway, is one of the most dangerous roads in existence. Spanning 667 kilometers, this highway traverses one of the most isolated areas of the country, close to the Arctic. The low temperatures, ice, and poor visibility caused by blizzards make drivers who dare to cross it—especially truckers—true experts on the tundra. Driving here becomes a risky sport.

Descending into the Gouffre Berger cave is a true journey to the center of the Earth. Located in the southeast of France, this cavern is one of the most feared by explorers, so much so that it is known as the ‘death cave’. With more than 1,200 meters of depth and a lake inside, it is one of the world’s deepest limestone underground caves. Its great danger lies in the fact that, if it rains, the cave floods, trapping anyone inside. Several people have lost their lives here.

Ready for a wild and risky dip? We travel to the Victoria Falls in Africa to discover the most dangerous natural pool: Devil’s Pool. It’s a hole carved into the rock at the edge of the falls. At this point, the Zambezi River violently plunges over a hundred meters down. A natural rock wall under the water protects swimmers from being swept away by the current when the water level is low. Still, it’s best not to tempt fate.

We return to the Norwegian fjords to talk about another awe-inspiring and dangerous place: the Kjerag Boulder. Wedged between two completely vertical walls, the rock is hanging 1,000 meters above the Lysefjord. It’s common to see tourists taking pictures posing on it. Many even have a slight leg tremor as they think ‘don’t look down, don’t look down.’ It’s a real challenge to vertigo.

The Annapurna mountain is the tenth highest in the world and the number one in mortality. Four out of ten mountaineers die trying to conquer the most dangerous of the eight-thousanders. Its vertical ice walls, avalanches, and deadly crevices are some of the reasons that make this summit the most feared. Among its victims, we remember two Spaniards: Iñaki Ochoa de Olza (in 2008) and Tolo Calafat (in 2010).

The Hussaini hanging bridge is one of the most dangerous in the world. A single image is enough to convince us of this. Crossing this walkway high above the Hunza River in northern Pakistan is an adventure straight out of Indiana Jones. The bridge, surrounded by the mountain ranges of the Himalayas and the Karkorams, is very old and poorly maintained, so much so that wooden planks are missing. One wrong step can send you falling into the water. However, the views from the bridge are a feast for the eyes.

‘The Pulpit’ is how the impressive Preikestolen rock is known. Situated in the Lysefjord in Norway, this promontory has a 604-meter drop. Be careful when peering over, as there are no barriers or fences to protect from a fatal fall. The bravest can even be seen sitting right on the edge of the precipice or performing some acrobatic stunts for the camera. Here the wind blows strong, and one misstep can be fatal. However, the views from here are breathtaking.

In the Caribbean Sea of Belize, there’s a place that is a real magnet for the boldest divers. We’re talking about Blue Hole. An enormous blue hole 305 meters in diameter and 123 meters deep that was once a cave system during the Ice Age. Now, they are vertical-walled underwater caves whose beauty hides great danger for divers who don’t take precautions. To reach the entrance to the cave, you must descend at least 34 meters. At that depth, a diver only has a few minutes before the air they breathe becomes dangerous due to high nitrogen levels in the blood.

Part of Mexico lives in constant vigilance of the Popocatépetl volcano. This volcano, the second highest in the country after Citlaltépetl, always seems on the verge of waking up. The exhalations are constant, and researchers monitor its activity 24 hours a day. Only 43 kilometers from Puebla and 72 from Mexico City, this mountain of fire spews clouds of ash that occasionally endanger air traffic.

Reaching the sacred mountain of Hua-Shan in China is not suitable for everyone. To climb to its peak, one must traverse one of the steepest and most dangerous trails that exist. It is so difficult to overcome this path that more than a hundred deaths are recorded each year. The most risky parts of the route are known as ‘Changong Zhandao,’ a boardwalk only 30 centimeters wide over a completely vertical cliff; and the ‘Black Dragon,’ a section carved into a steep rock ridge only a few centimeters wide. Shaky planks, rusty chains, and nearly impossible steps are other tough challenges to reach the goal. The prize: survival.

In the Mexican port of Acapulco, there is La Quebrada, a cliff 45 meters high where clavadistas—young indigenous and Creole divers—have been practicing their best dives for several generations. The clavadista must accurately calculate when the wave raises the sea level to avoid a fatal impact against the rocks at the bottom. These dangerous dives at 35 meters high have become quite a spectacle for tourists.

Carved into the Chinese mountains of Taihang is the Guoliang Tunnel. This road literally perforates the mountain, becoming an impressive route. The road was built by the inhabitants of the small village of Guoliang as a way to escape their isolation. A colossal tunnel five meters high and four meters wide excavated centimeter by centimeter by villagers. Despite being a dangerous place—wooden columns are the only safety systems—this road has become a tourist attraction in itself.

“Monstrous”, “explosive”, “killer”… no worse descriptors than those used to describe Lake Nyos, one of the most dangerous on the Planet. Located in Cameroon, this volcanic lake was the cause of the deadliest limnic eruption in history. In 1986, a carbon dioxide explosion killed about 1,800 people and 6,000 head of cattle. The lake exploded as if it were a bomb.

Great white sharks are the kings of Fish Hoek Beach, in South Africa. Every year, dozens of bathers are attacked by these large predators, which become aggressive with the arrival of heat. These Atlantic waters host one of the largest populations of great white sharks. A flag warns of the danger of attacks. Does anyone fancy a swim?

In northern Arizona, there’s an amazing place carved by the currents of water: Antelope Canyon or, in Navajo, Tsé bighánílíní, meaning “the place where water runs through rocks.” It’s a narrow gorge as beautiful as it is dangerous. The vertical walls and beams of light fill this place with magic. To visit, it’s mandatory to go with a local guide. Torrential rains are capable of flooding the grottoes in just minutes and trapping their visitors. In 1997, at least 11 tourists died in this place.

Between the great dunes of the Taklimakan Desert lies the Tarim Highway, the largest built across a desert. Spanning 522 kilometers, this road is in one of the most extreme regions of the world: a 270,000-square-kilometer desert known as the ‘Sea of Death’. Along its route, there are hardly any gas stations or restaurants to get supplies. Moreover, the shifting dunes consume several sections of the road at times, thus increasing the danger. The locals have a saying: ‘if you enter, you won’t be able to leave’.

Trollstigen, also known as the ‘Troll’s Ladder‘, is a literally vertiginous road located in Norway. Included in the ranking of the most dangerous, its 9% incline and dangerous 180-degree curves atop nearly vertical slopes can make even the most experienced driver’s hair stand on end. The beauty of the place and the engineering skill in constructing this road make Trollstigen a tourist attraction in itself. Along its route, there are several viewpoints from which to enjoy this zigzag drawn over the stunning fjords.

In Ethiopia, within the Depression of Afar, we find one of the hottest spots on earth: the Danakil Desert. Its temperatures exceed 55 degrees Celsius during the day. The landscape, considered one of the world’s most tectonically active areas, is inhospitable. But it’s also beautiful: the region of the Dallol volcano (in the photo) offers a stunning scene of green, yellow, and orange colors caused by sulfur, sulfur, and salt. It seems we’re on another planet (or in hell).

The small fishing town of Gansbaai, in South Africa, is known as the bay of geese. Although the truth is, it should be known as the bay of sharks, to whom it owes its fame. Considered the capital of the great white shark, its beaches are infested with these major predators. Here, cage diving is a must for those seeking thrills.

The Sahara, the largest desert, is also one of the most dangerous places in the world if precautions are not taken. Crossing this sandy paradise requires being well-informed, knowing which routes to follow, and preparing to withstand extreme temperatures, potential heat strokes, and even encounters with dangerous animals such as scorpions or vipers. The important thing here is not to get lost.

The second highest mountain in the world after Everest, K2, is also one of the deadliest. Statistics show that one in four climbers dies in the face of this giant. More facts: slightly more than 300 mountaineers have conquered its summit, while more than 5,600 have reached the top of Everest. Its bad reputation makes this eight-thousander an obsession for the most expert climbers.

In the vast desert of Karakum in Turkmenistan lies the Darvaza Crater, a massive underground cave full of natural gas that has been burning for over 40 years. It’s known as The Door to Hell. With a diameter of 60 meters and a depth of 20 meters, this cave is a true spectacle of fire. The story goes that a group of Soviet geologists discovered this large gas chamber in the 70s. To see what was inside, they decided to light the flame. It has not stopped burning since.

Talking about the Blue Hole of Dahab in Egypt means talking about a diver’s cemetery. It is said that over a hundred bodies lie in its depths. The Blue Hole is actually a coral lagoon that connects to the open sea through a large blue arch of 26 meters. Its beauty attracts many divers who must dive more than 60 meters of depth. The danger arrives when the diver becomes disoriented and cannot find the ascent path to the sea, and instead of rising, continues heading downward.

On the west coast of Ireland, in County Claire, we find some majestic cliffs: the Cliffs of Moher. They extend over eight kilometers and rise 214 meters above the sea. There are no fences or protection. A sign warns of the danger of looking over the edge of the precipice, and there are even small spontaneous tributes to the people who have lost their lives here. On days of strong wind, special care must be taken, and we shouldn’t get too close to the abyss. An unfortunate gust of wind could make us lose our balance.

The Tsingy Nature Reserve in Madagascar hides a great limestone stone forest whose sharp pinnacles seem to cut like knives. A danger especially for absent-minded visitors who want to venture inside. Tsingy means in Malagasy, the native language, ‘where you can’t walk barefoot’. Only the nimble lemurs transit freely through this peculiar rock forest.

The Zambezi River, in Africa, is the most dangerous for rafting. The wild force of its currents creates waves that are difficult to control with boats. The reputation of this river is such that it is known as ‘luck or death‘. The violence of its rapids, long and with slopes and drops, makes this experience only suitable for the most experienced with oars. The Zambezi River is the fourth longest on the African continent, and its water volume is four times greater than that of the Colorado River (USA) in its high season.

On the banks of the world’s most copious river, the Amazon, grows with the same name the largest tropical rainforest, the most lush, colorful, and spectacular in the world. But also, the most dangerous. Venturing into the Amazon has its risks. Inside lives a fascinating wild fauna: jaguars, anacondas, electric eels, poisonous frogs, caimans, tarantulas, piranhas, etc. In addition to various types of insects, for which humans become sitting ducks. The bite of an isula ant, for example, is neurotoxic and capable of causing tachycardia.

The Great Barrier Reef Australia is a true Garden of Eden for divers. In the area of Queensland, this adventure can turn into a nightmare if precautions are not taken against the lethal jellyfish. For example, the irukandji species can cause death with its stings. Its venom is a hundred times more toxic than that of the cobra. The best protection against these animals is to wear a wetsuit from neck to heels, especially between October and April, when the jellyfish invade the area.

The Bolinas Beach, in California, is another natural enclave teeming with great white sharks. These large sharks flock to the known “Red Triangle” to feed, a zone with a large population of elephant and sea lions, true delicacies for these fierce predators. The problem is when a surfer or distracted swimmer ends up in their diet.

Another of the most dangerous places where it’s best not to get too close is the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines. Located about 360 kilometers southeast of Manila, on the island of Luzon, this mountain of fire caused at least five deaths in 2013 due to a phreatic explosion. Among the victims was a Spaniard. Experts warn of the permanent danger and advise mountaineers to stay at least six kilometers away from this active volcano.

South of the island of Tahiti, Teahupo’o is one of the most sought-after challenges by the great elite surfers. Here you find the most dangerous and feared waves on the planet. It’s not their height that frightens—even though they reach five meters—but the violence with which the waves break. The mass of water they move is impressive. A hit from this skull wall (known as such by the Tahitians) can be fatal.

The Stelvio Pass, in Italy, is the highest mountain road in the Eastern Alps. It spans 24 kilometers and has an average gradient of 7.5%. An impressive zigzag on the mountainside with a total of 48 hairpin bends. It’s not uncommon to see this road on the list of the most dangerous in the world. Its gradients and the precipices hidden behind each bend make this pass a tortuous place. Cyclists of the Giro d’Italia know it well. It’s one of the toughest mountain passes in the cycling competition.

In the strait connecting the Seto Inland Sea with the Pacific Ocean lies one of the world’s most famous whirlpools: Naruto. With currents exceeding 20 kilometers per hour, the whirlpool can reach a diameter of 20 meters. The tide movements have created this enormous vortex that has become a tourist spectacle. Although it doesn’t have the strength to sink a ship, it is quite dangerous for divers or swimmers.

The worst thing that can happen in the Death Valley National Park, California, is running out of gas. The road across the park is endless and there are no gas stations in the middle of the desert. Also, the heat in this ‘Valley of Death‘ is infernal: it’s the hottest desert in all of the United States. This summer, record temperatures were reached with an average of 53.4 degrees Celsius. Besides filling your gas tank to the top, don’t forget to bring water.

Inside the Glacier National Park stands the tallest mountain in Patagonia: Mount Fitz Roy. With a height of 3,375 meters, this mountain has a bad reputation for its extreme difficulty. Its nearly vertical walls, its polished and slippery stones, and the strong winds that lash the summit make this adventure only suitable for the most skillful and experienced climbers.

With over 230 meters of depth, the Congo is considered the deepest river on Earth and the second with the most volume. At its source, the waters are calm and tranquil, but don’t be fooled. Later, the river—also known as Zaire—becomes more turbulent, full of cuts, canyons, and treacherous rapids that form what is known as the ‘Gateway to Hell’.

In Chile, we discover an inhospitable place known as the Valley of Death. Located just two kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama, in the heart of the Salt Mountain Range, this lunar landscape desert gets its name because, in the past, whoever dared to cross it would lose their life in the attempt. It’s one of the driest deserts in the world due to the barrier effect of the Andes. Crossing it today is a true challenge.

If there’s anywhere in the United States where waves reach 10 meters in height, it’s Mavericks, in California. It’s one of the world’s surfing meccas and quite a challenge for the most daring surfers. Many competitions are held at Mavericks. Here the most experienced surfers try to ride the wildest waves in the country. An achievement full of dangers.

The small nudist beach of Zipolite in Oaxaca is a true paradise of white sand and crystal-clear waters. But not everything is wonderful at this beach, whose name in the Zapotec language means ‘the beach of death.‘ Several fatal drownings have occurred there due to strong and shifting currents. It’s a beach where swimming has its risks, especially in the days following a full moon. Every precaution is little.

Another beach where we will find the ‘shark danger‘ sign is Smyrna Beach. Known as the shark attack capital of the world, this Florida beach makes the news every year when a shark bites a tourist. Smyrna Beach is also a perfect spot for surfing, which attracts many fans of this sport who forget the danger that may lurk beneath their boards.

The island of Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, would be the perfect definition of paradise if it didn’t have a catch. Located in a volcanic archipelago, the island can at times be a very dangerous place because of the large number of earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones and active volcanoes that turn this beautiful place into a true hell.

The Bolivian route that connects La Paz with the Andean region of Los Yungas is one of the riskiest on the planet. The road drops 3,600 meters in elevation over just 64 kilometers. Carved into the rock, the road is narrow and winding, and in many stretches barely two vehicles can fit. When there is fog, the situation is even worse: you can hardly see beyond one meter. Accidents are constant, and many vehicles give way and fall off the precipice.

Around 250 people have died in Mount Cook National Park, in New Zealand. Avalanches, crevasses and complicated ice climbs become deadly traps for its visitors. Mount Cook, at over 3,750 meters, attracts climbers from all over the world who are prepared to face the harshest nature. Sadly, the ending is not always a happy one.

Howick is a waterfall that drops from a height of 95 meters over the Umgeni River in South Africa. It is not the tallest waterfall in the country, but it is the most dangerous. The reason: its turbulent waters. The force of the water is capable of sweeping away the less cautious tourists. The death toll at this spot is close to fifty.

Mount Merapi is included in the list of the most dangerous active volcanoes on Earth. Located on the island of Java, in the well-known ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, this giant regularly spews ash, gas and lava that cause serious damage to the villagers who live on its slopes. This past summer, Merapi sent smoke up to 1,000 meters high. In 2010 it caused 347 deaths and more than 400,000 evacuations.

One of the most impressive natural monuments in the world is found in Arizona: the world-famous Grand Canyon. Its gorges and precipices, carved by the river over thousands upon thousands of years, are quite a spectacle. But they are also a real danger. In this place, fences and protective barriers do not exist. Walking along a trail carelessly or leaning too far over the abyss can mean a fatal fall. Not a year goes by without deaths being recorded in this National Park.

Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe at 4,810 meters, is considered by the people of the region to be the ‘Cursed Mountain’. Every year, this four-thousander is the scene of several tragedies that claim the lives of mountaineers trying to reach its summit. Ice falls, crevasses, avalanches and rockfalls are the main dangers of this mecca of mountaineering.