These 11 places are life-threatening but still popular with tourists
What is it that fascinates us so much about places that could cost us our lives? In a world of comfort, many travelers are drawn to places where the abysses are deep, the air thin, or the water deadly. From the scorching heat of Death Valley to dizzying trails in China, these destinations are not for the faint of heart.
The name Death Valley pretty much says it all. California's "Death Valley" is the lowest-lying place in the USA. Furthermore, Death Valley is known as a place of climatic extremes. The highest temperatures in the world are regularly recorded there. If you don't have enough to drink, you're doomed.
Before driving through Death Valley, be sure to check your vehicle's oil, tires, and coolant. Breakdowns can be life-threatening.
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The area is also prone to flash floods because the dry soil cannot absorb water during rain. At least 66 people have died in Death Valley National Park since 2007.
Death Valley – seen here at Zabriskie Point – is one of the most fascinating and extreme nature reserves.
Source: IMAGO/Uwe Kraft
However, this doesn't stop hordes of tourists from traveling to this fascinating place. They don't want to miss the many highlights of this inhospitable region: Eroded hills, deep craters, the Artists Palette, and the Badwater Basin salt pan make Death Valley one of the most sought-after tourist attractions in the world.
Victoria Falls, located between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is one of the largest waterfalls in the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989. Tourists flock there, especially to Devil's Pool , a natural pool at a 100-meter-deep precipice.
The Devil's Pool at Victoria Falls is jokingly referred to as the ultimate infinity pool.
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Once there, they lean over the edge to take pictures of the "ultimate infinity pool." While there have been no fatalities in the pool so far, it's only remotely safe between August and January. That's when the water level drops, creating the rock pool.
Many people want to take a photo at the 100-meter-deep abyss, ignoring the danger to their lives.
Source: imago images/Mint Images
The Yungas Road in western Bolivia, also known as the Death Road, was considered the most dangerous road in the world. The narrow one-way street has no barriers or guardrails.
Approximately 200 to 300 people died here annually, many of whom were never found. For a long time, the Yungas Road was considered the only connecting road between the La Paz region and the jungle.
The Yungas Road is called El Camino de la Muerte in Bolivia: Thousands of people are known to have died here, and countless others have disappeared in the jungle.
Source: IMAGO/Zoonar
In 2006, however, the fatality rate on the Yungas Road decreased dramatically. The reason: a two-lane bypass was built for the most dangerous section of the route, the North Yungas Road. The "old" section is now used by cyclists.
More than 25,000 tourists travel there every year. They race down the 65-kilometer-long road on mountain bikes in search of the ultimate thrill. They can enjoy a three- to four-hour descent through the jungle at an elevation of almost 3,000 meters, while enjoying breathtaking views of Bolivia's wild, lush nature.
The Yungas Road has now become a popular tourist magnet, especially for mountain bikers.
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Those who complete the tour receive a T-shirt from the organizers with the words "Death Road Survivor" or something similar printed on it. It sounds funny, but it's not really that funny. While the road is far less dangerous for cyclists, it can also be fatal: 18 people have died on the Yungas Road so far.
Since the 1986 nuclear disaster, Chernobyl has been one of the most dangerous places in the world. The intense radiation remains extremely harmful. Thousands have died from the aftereffects of the environmental disaster. Few dramatic events from the past have generated as much dark tourism as the site of the accident in Ukraine.
There is a several-kilometer-wide exclusion zone around the former nuclear power plant, which is no longer accessible.
Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia
Since 2022, however, a visit has been discouraged for another reason. Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, access to the Chernobyl exclusion zone has been strictly prohibited for tourists.
Pripyat, which was built together with the nuclear reactor, is now a ghost town.
Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia
Despite the danger, people from all over the world had already taken trips into the restricted area around the damaged nuclear power plant. How could that even be possible? In some parts of the area, radiation levels are lower, so guided tours were permitted.
Even the control room of the former nuclear power plant was open to visitors. Due to the significantly increased radiation levels, however, visitors could only enter wearing a protective suit, helmet, and breathing mask.
Arguably one of the most famous sights in all of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher delight thousands of visitors every year. The enormous cliffs rise steeply from the rugged, raging waters – the view from the top is incomparable, simply magnificent.
Be careful when taking selfies: The cliffs at the Cliffs of Moher are not secured.
Source: IMAGO/imagebroker
But if you're looking for safety precautions to protect you from the sheer cliff, you're in the wrong place. You'll have to take care of your own safety here. The beauty of this mighty natural spectacle isn't diminished by barriers, railings, or other measures.
Although people continue to die here, the Cliffs of Moher are a popular holiday destination.
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The ground is uneven, slippery when wet, and the cliff edges are not secured. Several fatalities have been recorded here in the past. Data from 2018 show that a total of 66 fatalities occurred between 1993 and 2017. Three more fatal accidents occurred on the Cliffs of Moher Trail in 2024. At least: The Cliffs of Moher are inaccessible during strong winds.
A special challenge for influencers: the Ha'iku Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven. The nearly 4,000 steps run along a mountain ridge. The thrill is heightened by the fact that the approximately three-kilometer-long staircase is closed to the public. It has been since 1987.
Some not only endanger their own lives, but also their pets.
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The stairs were built by the US military during World War II to construct a radio station. Admittedly, the view is simply breathtaking. But the climb is very dangerous; many people have fallen here.
In 2021, the city government therefore decided to remove the Ha'iku Stairs to put an end to illegal trespassing. Dismantling began in spring 2024, but was suspended in January 2025 due to legal disputes.
California's Yosemite National Park, and especially the 2,700-meter-high Half Dome, are very popular with hiking enthusiasts. Thousands climb the iconic mountain every year. But the trail is treacherous. Even experienced hikers need ten to twelve hours for the round trip, with a whopping 1,500 meters of elevation gain.
Many tourists prefer to view the infamous Half Dome from a safe distance.
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The most difficult part is the final stretch up: Here, a kind of staircase leads almost vertically over the last 120 meters to the summit. There are steel cables for holding on. Nevertheless, hundreds of people have failed on Half Dome, especially in the rain.
The final stretch of Half Dome is the most dangerous. If it starts to rain, slipping and falling can be dangerous.
Source: IMAGO/Dreamstime
A 2017 study documented 32 confirmed deaths at Half Dome over an 85-year period. Other sources report over 20 deaths directly at Half Dome and more than 60 along the entire trail.
Lake Natron in Tanzania is a particularly extreme travel destination. Its water, with a pH of up to 10.5, is highly alkaline. Animals that end up in it turn to stone. This often affects birds or bats. Their bodies are immediately attacked by the water, burning their skin and eyes. Eventually, the entire body becomes mummified.
An inhospitable area: animals that fall into Lake Natron are doomed to die.
Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images
But that's not all. The water temperatures are also extreme. The shallow water is heated by volcanic springs underground, so it can reach temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius. So please don't even think about swimming in the lake!
The flamingos, on the other hand, have managed to take advantage of the lake. They thrive under the prevailing conditions.
Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images
Why does the lake still attract visitors? Lake Natron isn't just hostile to life. Several adapted creatures have secured their existence here. Lesser flamingos, for example, can excrete the salt through special glands. For their sake, the lake has now been designated a bird sanctuary. The big advantage: They have no predators here.
The stunningly beautiful Hua Shan Mountains are a popular hiking area not far from the metropolis of Xi'an. They are so magical that they are said to have even served as inspiration for the hit film "Avatar."
One of the most spectacular and adventurous hikes leads up Hua Shan, considered one of the most dangerous mountains in the world. The final part of the trail leads up the mountain on narrow, approximately 30-centimeter-wide boards, at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters.
The boards that (can) mean death: For many, this part of the Hua Shan hiking trail is an absolute nightmare.
Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos
For most hikers, this is the worst stage of the climb: If you place your foot incorrectly, you'll slide hundreds of meters into the abyss. At least an iron chain carved into the rock serves as a grip, providing at least a tiny sense of security. Rumor has it that around 100 people have already died here. Now, via ferrata sets are available for rent on site – at least.
The steep steps on the hiking trail also cause problems for some holidaymakers.
Source: IMAGO/Dreamstime
Either way, the hike in China is not for the faint of heart and will make even the most adventurous travelers sweat. Upon reaching the summit, visitors are rewarded with a magnificent view. And—surprisingly—a charming teahouse.
"The Gate to Hell" – that's what the Derweze crater in Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert is often called. Anyone who stands directly in front of it knows why: Flames erupt from the deep, football-field-sized hole. Embers shoot through the interior, and the atmosphere actually reminds one somewhat of what one imagines hell to be like.
Tourists who take photos very close to the crater are putting their lives in danger.
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This hole in the ground has been burning since 1971. To protect the nearby villages and avoid endangering air quality, an idea was supposedly conceived back then. They wanted to simply burn the natural gas deposits. They would be exhausted after a few days, and the fire would extinguish itself. But this was a misconception.
The fire at the Derweze crater has been burning since 1971.
Source: IMAGO/Dreamstime
Even after 50 years, the valuable gas in the Derweze crater continues to burn merrily. The crater is now secured with fences to reduce the danger to visitors.
Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain at 8,849 meters, is a challenge even for experienced climbers. Nevertheless, a total of 861 people made it to the summit in 2024. However, the season was also marred by tragic incidents. Several deaths and missing persons had already been reported by the end of May 2024.
More and more people want to climb Mount Everest. Not all of them are experienced. Nepal wants to put a stop to this in the future.
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Many blame the crowds piling up on the route to the summit. This is why the route is often called the "Death Zone." Nepal is therefore planning to introduce stricter regulations in the future: permits to climb Mount Everest will only be issued to climbers who have already climbed at least one of Nepal's 7,000-meter peaks.
By the way: The last year in which no one died trying to climb the highest mountain in the world was 1977.
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