Many prefer not a calm and relaxing holiday somewhere on the beach in the shade of palm trees, but seek to get a dose of adrenaline during their vacation, exploring new and dangerous corners of the planet. “DIP” has compiled a selection of the most extreme tourist places on Earth, which, despite all their horror, annually attract crowds of tourists who want to grab their dose of fear and delight.
Manchak swamps, USA
Legend has it that swamps in Louisiana appeared due to the fault of an ancient voodoo cultist because, after many years of attempts, the state authorities failed to dry them up. In the last century, entire working settlements were organized around this area, the inhabitants of which were supposed to get rid of the problem with the help of special drainage devices, but this did not succeed. Now tourists come to Manchak who need to get their dose of adrenaline. The swamps look very gloomy even without the creepy stories of the guides, but they warm up the emotions of tourists with mystical legends.
Tours are often held at night. Darkness, snags, tree roots sticking out, countless snakes and alligators swimming right around the kayaks with tourists – if all these descriptions beckon you, visit the Manchak swamps in Louisiana.
El Caminito del Rey trail, Spain
One of the most dangerous trails in the world is located in Spain, in the El Chorro Gorge, popular with climbers. This path is also called the path of death, and the thing is that it is located on cornices on a sheer cliff.
The trail began its history in the 20th century when it was built for workers who worked on the hydraulic structures of the reservoir. True, in those days the path was made of concrete, only about a meter wide, which was fastened with cornices on a rock at a height of 100 meters.
In the era of the growing popularity of extreme tourism, El Caminito del Rey was decided to be restored and revived, but already as a tourist attraction. However, in 2001, the route was officially closed for a long 15 years due to frequent accidents. Now the place is again open for walks of the most daring, but the authorities have worked more carefully on the safety of guests – the most dangerous sections of the trail are equipped with railings and mesh fences. Despite this, tragedies there, although rare, do happen.
Mount Huashan, China
Huashan, one of the five sacred mountains of China, is located in Shaanxi province. The mountain is crowned with several peaks, one of them, the highest (2154m), leads the path along which the Taoist monks got to the temple located on the top. Now, however, the temple has become a tea house, where those who could overcome the entire route can rest.
The peculiarity of the trail is that it completely repeats the bend of the rock and its width is only a couple of boards. You can only walk by pressing your back against the rock and holding on to the chains attached to it. The time it will take to complete the entire route is 30 minutes, but it should be borne in mind that you can only return by the same road.
Oh yes, the trail passes at an altitude of more than two hundred meters.