Not for the faint-hearted: Climbing on an abyss or riding down a volcano - adventure and adrenaline are guaranteed with these activities. While some people want to relax on the beach during their vacations, others are looking for adventure and the ultimate adrenaline experience. The following dangerous tourist attractions should make even the most detached adventurer's heart beat faster. Presented by Tourism Review.
The "Death Road" is actually called the Yungas Road and runs for about 80 kilometers from the Bolivian city of La Paz to the northeastern town of Caranavi in the Yungas. Until 2007, the road had two lanes: 200 to 300 people died here every year. In the meantime, the number of accidents has dropped sharply, as traffic mainly rolls along the more modern asphalted road. The "old" route is particularly popular with downhill mountain bikers: 10,000 take to the dangerous descent every year. From the start at 4,640 meters, it's 64 kilometers down the valley. Good driving skills are required: there are no guard rails, and depending on the weather, the road conditions are wet and muddy.
Mount Huashan is located about 120 kilometers from Xian and is 2,154 meters high. It has no less than five peaks and several Taoist temples, which is why the mountain is revered by the locals. Its hiking routes are sometimes considered the most spectacular in the world. In particular, the Thousand-Foot Precipice, Hundred-Foot Crevice, Black Dragon Ridge and Golden Lock Pass routes on the way to the eastern summit are quite challenging. You will be secured when passing over planks and steps embedded in the rock walls. Purchasing a ticket is required and recommended only for adventurers without a fear of heights.
This adventure is definitely only for the very high-risk-takers: By helicopter, it goes to 3000 meters above the crater of the active volcano Villarica in Chile. The bungee jump takes place from a height of 200 meters above the crater. The hot lava can then be viewed from up to 100 meters away. Hanging from the helicopter, you are flown back to base camp. By the way, the volcano last erupted in 2015.
Half Dome in Yosemite National Park is 2,692 meters high and impresses tourists mainly because of its unusual shape. During the summer months, steel cables are installed to enable less experienced mountain walkers to climb the otherwise almost impregnable Half Dome. The hike is considered one of the most challenging and one of the most dangerous tourist attractions in the world. More than 60 people have already lost their lives here. Depending on the route, you have to cover between 23 and 28 kilometers and allow 10 to 12 hours of hiking time. Since dangerous situations have repeatedly arisen, especially on the last, very steep ascent, for some years now the ascent has only been possible with a permit. Around 300 climbers are allowed on the hike per day. Permits can be purchased on the Internet with long-term planning or obtained at short notice by lottery.
On the island of O'ahu, there is a stairway that actually seems to lead to heaven. You have to climb 3,922 metal steps on the so-called Stairway to Heaven to reach the summit in the Koolau Mountains. The problem is that climbing the stairs is officially forbidden. The climb, which takes around five hours, has always been considered risky, but since 2015 it has become downright precarious. At that time, a storm damaged the staircase, which was already damaged. As early as 1987, the climb was banned. In 2005, renovations were made to the steps, which were built by the U.S. Navy in World War 2 and led to a secret radio tower. Security guards patrol regularly, as the ban is disregarded by many tourists. Those caught face a fine of up to $600 USD. The Friends of Haiku Stairs group has long had plans to extensively renovate the staircase.
For a long time, the artificially created and only about 1-meter wide path at a height of about 100 meters near Málaga was considered a death path. The dizzying hiking trail was officially closed after several fatal accidents. Since this did not stop adventure seekers from walking the route, the path was renovated in 2014 at a cost of 2.4 million euros. Since the spring of 2015, the Caminito has been open again. Now, however, only 400 hikers are allowed on the trail, which is 7.7 kilometers long in total and leads through the gorges for 2.9 kilometers. Registration is required for a fee.
In Nicaragua, tourists looking for the ultimate adrenaline kick will find a special offer: they can speed down the active Cerro Negro volcano on a board. This involves traveling at speeds of up to 60 mph - and there are warnings of broken bones and abrasions. In Léon, countless providers offer guided volcano boarding tours, including appropriate protective clothing. The ascent to the volcano takes about 45 minutes - you have to carry the board up yourself. You slide down sitting on the board, which you steer like a toboggan.