The 10 Most Extreme Places You Can Actually Visit

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to stand on the edge of the world, stare into an endless abyss, or walk across a landscape so strange it doesn’t seem real? Earth is packed with places that will absolutely blow your mind—and yes, you can actually visit them. These are the spots where heartbeats race faster, palms get sweatier, and stories are born. From Norway’s cliff-hanging wonders to the fiery craters of Turkmenistan, let’s step into the wildest corners of our planet where adventure isn’t just possible—it’s irresistible.

Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway

Imagine standing on a giant slab of rock, 604 meters above a shimmering fjord, with nothing but open air between you and the water below. That’s Preikestolen—one of Norway’s most jaw-dropping sights. The hike itself is a moderate challenge, winding through pine forests and rocky paths, but the real test comes when you reach the top. There are no safety railings to cling to, so your nerves have to be as steady as your feet. Visiting at sunrise is especially magical; the light paints the cliffs gold and the fjord mirrors the sky. It’s the kind of view that makes you feel tiny and invincible all at once. For thrill-seekers and photographers alike, Pulpit Rock is a must. Just remember: vertigo is not invited.

Mount Everest Base Camp, Nepal

You don’t need to be a world-class mountaineer to taste the Everest experience—just a healthy appetite for adventure and some serious determination. The trek to Everest Base Camp takes you up to 5,364 meters, where the air is so thin that even simple steps can leave you breathless. Along the way, you’ll pass through ancient Sherpa villages, cross swaying suspension bridges, and watch glaciers creep by. The cold bites through every layer, and altitude sickness is a real risk, but the reward is standing in the shadow of the tallest mountain on Earth. It’s a journey of endurance and awe, where every sunrise feels like a victory.

Death Valley, USA

Death Valley isn’t just hot—it’s legendary. With temperatures soaring to 56.7°C, this desert holds the record as the hottest place on Earth. Driving through its wide, empty roads, you feel like you’ve landed on another planet. The landscape shifts from salt flats that glitter under the sun to canyons painted gold and red. Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, is so flat and lifeless it seems surreal. Survival here means gallons of water, a hat, and a healthy respect for the sun. Despite its name, Death Valley is alive with extremes, and a visit will leave you glowing with adventure (and maybe a little sweat).

Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Stepping into the Danakil Depression is like landing on an alien world. This place is unforgiving—volcanoes spit lava, acid pools bubble, and salt flats stretch to the horizon. With temperatures regularly reaching 50°C, even the air feels heavy and toxic from sulfur fumes. Yet, people live and work here, mining salt in one of the harshest environments on the planet. Guided tours are absolutely necessary, as the terrain is dangerous and unpredictable. The colors are almost too vivid to believe—neon yellows, deep reds, and boiling greens. It’s a landscape that challenges your senses and your courage in equal measure.

Trolltunga, Norway

Trolltunga, or the Troll’s Tongue, juts out over a 700-meter drop, dangling daring hikers high above a blue lake. It takes a 12-hour round-trip hike to reach this spot, but every aching muscle is forgotten the moment you step onto the ledge. The view is dizzying, and the wind seems to whisper legends of trolls and ancient Norse gods. Trolltunga is famous on Instagram for a reason: it’s the selfie of a lifetime. The ledge is narrow, the drop is real, and the sense of adventure is unbeatable. Just don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights.

The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

In the middle of Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert, a fiery pit has been burning nonstop for over 50 years. The Door to Hell, as locals call it, is actually a collapsed gas crater set alight by Soviet scientists in 1971. The flames have never gone out, creating a scene that’s both terrifying and hypnotic. Camping at the edge, you feel the heat on your face and hear the roar of burning gas. At night, the glow lights up the desert as if you’re staring into the depths of another world. It’s equal parts science fiction and ancient myth, and it’s impossible to forget.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

Hidden deep in the Venezuelan jungle, Angel Falls crashes down nearly a kilometer—making it the tallest waterfall on Earth. Getting there isn’t easy. You’ll need a river boat, a hike through thick rainforest, and a spirit ready for adventure (and mosquitoes). But when you finally reach the base, the spray mists your face and the roar drowns out every worry. The sight of water falling from the clouds is humbling and wild. Every bug bite and muddy boot feels worth it as you stand in the shadow of something so impossibly grand.

Antarctica

Antarctica is the final frontier for travelers who crave the edge. It’s the coldest, windiest, most untouched continent on the planet. Getting there often means crossing the turbulent Drake Passage on a ship, then stepping onto ice that only a handful of humans will ever see. You can kayak past towering icebergs, watch penguins waddle by, or spot whales breaching in the frozen sea. The silence is so deep it almost echoes. With no cities or crowds, Antarctica is pure, raw wilderness—a place where nature is still king and you’re just a visitor.

The Mariana Trench (Challenger Deep), Pacific Ocean

For the ultimate extreme journey, nothing beats the Mariana Trench. Lying nearly 11,000 meters below the waves, Challenger Deep is the deepest known point on Earth. Only 23 people have ever visited, making it even rarer than walking on the moon. If you’ve got $750,000 to spare, you can climb into a tiny submersible and drop into the crushing darkness. Down there, it’s pitch black, ice cold, and the pressure is enough to crush steel. It’s a place where strange, otherworldly creatures drift past your window, and the sense of isolation is complete. Few adventures are more exclusive—or more intense.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Stretching across the Bolivian highlands, Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat—a dazzling white expanse that seems to go on forever. In the rainy season, a thin layer of water turns it into a perfect mirror, reflecting clouds and sky until you can’t tell where the earth ends and the heavens begin. Driving across in a 4×4 feels like floating through a dream. There are even hotels made entirely of salt, so you can sleep surrounded by this surreal landscape. It’s a place of silence, strangeness, and staggering beauty.

These places show that adventure is still alive and well on planet Earth.