If you’re afraid of heights, turn back now. These are the most incredible (and mortifying) places to stand and look down.
We may live in a big, beautiful world, but our planet has its fair share of terrifying and mysterious places. From hell-themed amusement parks to islands covered with snakes, these are some of the scariest places in the world. Places are just waiting for the next morbidly inclined traveler to visit.
01. Mont Blanc, French Alps
Atop the 12,600-foot Aiguille du Midi peak is a glass cage named “Step into the Void.” Visitors enjoy the view of Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain, from the world’s highest glass floor.
02. The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa in Dubai
Burj Khalifa is 2,700 feet tall. For perspective, that’s around twice as tall as the Empire State Building. If you’re brave enough, you can overlook Dubai from what is likely the most awe-inspiring observation deck in the world.
03. The Grand Canyon Skywalk
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is owned and operated by the Hualapai Indian tribe. Beneath the viewing platform is a straight 700-foot drop.
04. Skydeck’s at the top of the Willis (Sears) Tower, Chicago
“The Ledge” is a glass balcony suspended 1300 feet in the air. Although the glass panes can weigh 10,000 pounds, visitors still have difficulty settling their stomachs as they look down on helicopters and rooftops.
05. CN Tower in Toronto, Canada
The CN Tower is a 1,800-foot high communication and observation tower. The building offers fantastic city views on the observation deck or outside.
06. Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia
This sky bridge in Malaysia is 410 feet long and 2,300 feet above sea level. It crosses over the picturesque peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang, a mountain on the island of Pulau Langkawi.
07. Blackpool Tower, England
Blackpool Tower was opened to the public in 1894. It stands at 518 feet, with an observation deck at the very top. The tower overlooks the piers and amusements of this Victorian town.
08. Walk of Faith, China
The Walk of Faith is a glass walkway built on the side of the 4700-foot-tall Zhangjiajie Tianmen. You arrive by cable car, and as long as you don’t suffer vertigo, the stroll is an unforgettable experience.
09. Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand
Sky Tower is over 1,000 feet tall and dominates the Auckland skyline. If you’re brave enough to leave the observation deck, you can go for a walk on the top of the tower, and if you’re a maniac, you can even bungee jump off it.
10. Alpspix Viewing Platform in Germany
Around 325 feet up the Alpspix mountain is this short bridge that offers fantastic views of the valley. Beneath the bridge floor is a sheer drop.
11. Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, England
Spinnaker Tower is the tallest in the UK outside of London, standing at 560 feet tall. The crow’s nest is the highest of the three observation platforms, and with only a wire mesh roof, it’s entirely open to the elements.
12. Trolltunga Cliff in Norway
Trolltunga hovers 2,300 feet above lake Ringedalsvatnet. It’s a challenging hike, but the natural platforms offer astounding mountainside views.
13. The Bridge Between the Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
These towers stand at nearly 1,500 feet tall. The bridge between them is only about ⅓ of the way up, but 550 feet is sufficient height to be mortified.
14. Dachstein Stairway in Austria
The Dachstein Glacier resort in the Alps is home to one of the highest bridges in the world. With a 1,300 drop to the bottom of the mountains, if you get dizzy just looking at the pictures, this stairway to nothingness isn’t for you.
15. Shanghai Pearl Tower in China
At 1500 feet tall, this TV tower was the largest structure in China for more than a decade. It still dominates the Shanghai skyline.
16. Lion’s Head Mountain over Cape Town, South Africa
Lion’s Head overlooks Cape Town and completely eclipses artificial structures at 2,200 feet tall. You can see most of the sprawling city from the mountain’s summit.
17. Tokyo Skytree, Japan
The Skytree is the tallest tower in the world and the second tallest structure, with a total height of 2080 feet. I think I’m ready to come down now.
18. The Heavenly Stairs in China
This terrifying path up Mt. Hua Shan, which is more than 7,000 feet high, leads to a teahouse that supposedly has some of the best tea in the world.
19. Rooftop Swimming Pool at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore
Atop 57 stories of this triple-skyscraper hotel is an infinity pool, which boasts the most spectacular view of the Singapore skyline.
20. Cliff Walk in Vancouver, Canada
Cliffwalk follows the Capilano River for 700 feet and, at its highest point, reaches 300 feet above the river.
21. Harbor Bridge Climb in Sydney, Australia
Opened in 1932, the bridge overlooks Port Jackson. Those daring enough can ascend the 440-foot high bridge and walk atop it.
22. Half Dome Mountain, Yosemite National Park, USA
This ancient granite dome rises more than 4,700 feet above the valley floor at its peak. Various cliffs offer a vantage point to take in the beautiful national park.
23. Insanity at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas, USA
Insanity is a ride that spins you at speeds of up to three Gs. It also hangs 64 feet from the side of the Stratosphere Hotel and 900 feet above the ground. Yikes.
24. Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, USA
This bridge crosses the 1000-foot-deep Royal Gorge, making it the highest in the United States. Few are brave enough to cross the gorge on a bridge, let alone a cable car.
I didn’t know I could fear heights while looking through a computer screen. Still, these places are incredible!
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