Ranked: The world's most dangerous natural attractions

Danger ahead

From murderous mountains and boiling hot springs to toxic lakes and treacherous cliffside pathways, we’ve sought out the world’s most dangerous natural attractions and ranked them. All of these sites should only be visited with the utmost caution, and in certain cases only if you are qualified to do so.

Click through this gallery to discover nature’s (sometimes) fatal attractions...

19. Lake Natron, Tanzania

The striking pink waters of Tanzania’s Lake Natron may look inviting, but don’t get too close. With a pH level as high as 10.5, the lake’s highly alkaline waters can cause serious irritation – and even burns – to skin and eyes after prolonged contact.

Its extreme conditions also have an unusual side effect: animals that die in or near the lake can become eerily preserved, their remains calcified by the lake’s unique combination of minerals.

18. Frying Pan Lake, New Zealand

Formed by the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, Frying Pan Lake is one of the world’s largest, but most inhospitable, hot springs. Its steaming, acidic waters average 50-60°C (122-140°F) and are laced with dissolved gases like hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide. The lake’s roiling surface, vivid mineral-stained colours and ever-present veil of mist make it an awe-inspiring yet perilous place – certainly not one for swimming.

17. Table Mountain, South Africa

The weather on Table Mountain is notoriously unpredictable, leading to sudden drops in visibility and temperature. However, it's not just the elements that pose a risk – incidents of mugging and assault have made this iconic landmark a concern for visitor safety.

While reported attacks have dropped slightly from a record high in 2023, hikers are still strongly advised to travel in groups of four or more, stick to well-used paths and avoid isolated areas – especially before sunrise and after sunset.

16. Trolltunga, Norway

Jutting out from a narrow ledge 2,300 feet (701m) above Norway’s Ringedalsvatnet lake, Trolltunga ('Troll’s Tongue') offers some undoubtedly spectacular views, but its dangers are very real. Rescue operations are frequent, mostly due to injuries, poor planning or hikers underestimating the challenging hike, while in 2015 an Australian student suffered a fatal fall from the rock while taking a photo.

15. Danakil Desert, Ethiopia

Despite being one of the lowest, hottest, and most inhospitable places on Earth, tourists are still drawn to Ethiopia's Danakil Depression due to its unique, almost alien landscape. Summer temperatures in this hostile but eerily beautiful desert, full of active volcanoes, acid springs and salt flats, soar to 50°C (122°F), making it a daunting prospect for even the hardiest of travellers.

14. Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales, Australia

Rockfalls and landslides are known risks in Blue Mountains National Park, particularly after heavy rain, and are actively monitored by park authorities. However, many incidents requiring rescue are linked to visitor behaviour – such as straying from designated tracks or climbing over safety barriers, especially at popular lookouts like Sublime Point (pictured).

13. El Caminito del Rey, Spain

Once described as 'the most dangerous path in the world', El Caminito del Rey is a narrow walkway clinging to the steep walls of a gorge above Spain’s Guadalhorce River.

Several people died before its extensive renovation in 2015, but no fatalities have occurred on the official route since. However, nearby routes like the Via Ferrata El Chorro – within the same natural park – remain hazardous. In 2024, a British climber died on its Puente del Mono (Monkey Bridge).

12. Great Blue Hole, Belize

One of the world’s most iconic dive sites, the Great Blue Hole is a vast marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize, measuring around 1,000 feet (305m) wide and over 400 feet (122m) deep, surrounded by striking coral reefs. Its depth and structure make it a thrilling but challenging dive.

Divers exploring its lower sections risk nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness if not properly trained or equipped. In 2018, the bodies of two divers who had gone missing were discovered at the bottom, highlighting the serious risks involved.

11. Mount Etna, Italy

As the tallest and most active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna naturally presents some risk – but during its February 2025 eruptions, it was human behaviour that caused the greatest concern. Thousands of ill-prepared visitors flocked to the site, some wearing inappropriate clothing or bringing children dangerously close to the lava flows.

Rescue services were forced to operate around the clock, with access often blocked by poorly parked vehicles and hikers needing aid for injuries, exposure and exhaustion.

10. Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Yellowstone’s hot springs and geysers such as Devil's Thumb and the Grand Prismatic Spring (pictured) are among its most spectacular attractions, but also its most dangerous. More than 20 people have died and scores more have been badly injured by the scalding waters, which can reach temperatures of 93°C (199°F) or higher. Most injuries are caused by people slipping in or wandering off designated pathways. 

9. The Eiger, Switzerland

The Eiger’s terrifying North Face, a vertical mile of limestone and black ice known as the Mordwand (Murderous Wall) by locals, has claimed over 60 lives and is likely to become even more dangerous in the future. Climate change-induced ice melts have impacted climbing routes with increased risks of avalanches and rockfalls. Non-mountaineers should stick to admiring its beauty from afar.

8. Bolton Strid, England, UK

Bolton Strid, a fast-flowing section of the otherwise calm River Wharfe in Yorkshire, is considered one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the UK. Its deceptively narrow surface hides strong currents and underwater cavities that have led to multiple fatalities over the years.

Local legend claims that no one who has fallen in has ever survived – a chilling warning that’s supported by several tragic deaths. Visitors are strongly advised to admire it from a safe distance and heed all posted warnings.

7. The Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada

Although a place of great natural beauty, with soaring cliffs and dramatic beaches, the Bay of Fundy is also home to the world’s highest tides. In areas like Burntcoat Head, water levels can rise by as much as 53.5 feet (16.3m), surging across tidal flats faster than a person can run.

This creates real danger for unprepared visitors, with reports of drownings and near-misses in recent years. Checking tide schedules and following local safety advice is essential when visiting.

6. Ben Nevis, Scotland, UK

At 4,413 feet (1,345m), Ben Nevis is the UK's highest mountain, attracting over 150,000 visitors annually. While many ascend via the well-trodden Mountain Track, the mountain's challenging terrain and unpredictable weather have led to over 100 recorded fatalities since 1849.

Risks include avalanches, especially on the North Face, sudden weather changes causing disorientation and falls from steep cliffs. Proper preparation and caution are essential for anyone attempting the climb.

5. Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Towering at 8,844 feet (2,695m) above sea level, Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome is the centrepiece of one of the world’s most iconic, and dangerous, hiking trails. The final 400 feet (122m) involves a hair-raising climb up a rock face, aided only by steel cables and wooden planks.

Since 2005, at least 13 people have died on the Half Dome trail, with several fatalities occurring on the cable section, often due to wet or stormy conditions. Hikers are strongly advised to avoid the cables during inclement weather.

4. Mount Fuji, Japan

Mount Fuji attracts around 300,000 climbers each year, but a string of deaths in the opening weeks of the 2024 climbing season highlighted the real risks involved. Six fatalities were reported in July alone, with causes including altitude sickness, sudden weather changes and falls.

Many incidents involve climbers who attempt to summit without resting overnight – a practice known as 'bullet climbing' – which increases the risk of hypothermia and altitude-related illness. Authorities have since introduced new safety measures, including limits on nighttime ascents.

3. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

With their sheer drops and sweeping Atlantic views, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most visited natural landmarks. But the drama comes with danger. In places, the clifftop path runs right to the edge with no barriers, and the site has seen numerous fatalities over the years – including several in 2024. A major section of the trail is now closed while safety upgrades and erosion controls are put in place.

2. Mount Everest, Nepal

It may be the world’s most iconic mountain, but Mount Everest is also, quite literally, a frozen graveyard for many who have tried to conquer it. Since the early 20th century, more than 340 climbers have died on its slopes, with causes ranging from avalanches and falls to altitude sickness and exposure.

Around 200 bodies remain on the mountain, many in the so-called 'Death Zone' above 26,247 feet (8,000m), where oxygen levels are too low to sustain life for long – and where recovery is often impossible.