Many of us book a holiday to sit back and relax, but for the daredevils among us, travelling is an opportunity to see new thrilling sights and challenge ourselves. And we’re not just talking about climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower or braving the crowds of Times Square.
Adventure holidays to some of the world’s natural wonders are super popular for those craving something more daring and active, but certain attractions can also be pretty dangerous. Mother nature is a cruel mistress, after all.
Holiday rental company Holidu has done some research and compiled a list of the most dangerous attractions in the world. And where is it that claims to top spot? It’s (drum roll, please) Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak.
The mountain, which straddles France, Italy and Switzerland, is incredibly popular with skiers and hikers, but is the setting of an average of one hundred deaths per year, according to Holidu’s research.
The peak also has the second-highest annual average for ‘notable accidents’ with 22, beaten only by Yosemite National Park’s average of 41.
The second most dangerous attraction is reportedly Ben Nevis. The Scottish mountain, which is the highest peak in the UK, only averages three deaths per year, but has an estimated 20 accidents.
In third place, it’s Mount Fuji, the iconic Japanese stratovolcano which has around seven deaths and 11 accidents yearly.
Noticing a pattern? It turns out that nine of the top 10 most dangerous attractions are mountains, mountainous areas or ‘rock formations’, with the Colorado River being the first non-rocky entry at number 11.
Here are the top 10 most dangerous attractions in the world:
- Mont Blanc, France and Italy
- Ben Nevis, UK
- Mount Fuji, Japan
- Mount Everest, China and Nepal
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Yosemite National Park, US
- Table Mountain, South Africa
- The Matterhorn, Switzerland
- The Grand Canyon, USA
- The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Adventure outside of the city
At Time Out we’re all about the best of the city, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love an alternative travel adventure. Check out our guide to the world’s most beautiful places. And if you want to brave a hike? We’ve rounded up 16 of the world’s best hikes – or you can admire the planet’s beautiful peaks from a safe distance.
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