The hottest and driest place in America, temperatures can hit 48°C (120°F) in summer so visit at your peril. Unsurprisingly there have been numerous heat-related fatalities in Death Valley, which was given its foreboding name by a group of pioneers who got lost in the remote wilderness in the 19th century. During August 2019 temperatures of above 120°F were recorded with USA Today reporting multiple deaths in the National Park, citing the extreme heat as the most likely cause. 

A collection of emerald pools, cascading waterfalls and craggy red gorges, Karijini National Park is the Australian outback at its most wild and beautiful. But beware, this remote part of Western Australia is prone to extreme weather including cyclones. The dangerous roads plus the lure of the cool water have also led to fatalities.

Roughly-hewn stone steps zig-zag steeply up the isle to the monastery. With no handrails and sheer drops, the route can be treacherous with some climbers having fallen to their death.

Majestic views across to Little Skellig – home to the world’s largest gannet colony – make the exhausting and knee-knocking ascent well worthwhile. Since it was used as a filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the intriguing isle has become even more popular.

Winter in the Rockies offers up numerous dangerous activities including ice climbing. The Weeping Wall, a series of waterfalls that cascade from Cirrus Mountain in Banff National Park, is one of Canada’s most famous icefalls. The thick ice sheets are a popular and perilous ice climbing location.

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It might look pretty, but beware: the snow-capped peak of Villarrica is one of South America’s most active volcanoes. Rising above the lake and town of the same name in southern Chile, it erupted as recently as 2015, spewing ash and lava high into the air and causing a mass evacuation in the area.

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But with great height, comes great danger and the clifftop’s dramatic brink has caught explorers off guard before. More than 30 accidental deaths have occurred here since the early 1990s and in January 2019 a student fell to his death after taking selfies near the cliff's edge. Portions of the cliff are also liable to collapse, so it’s wise to heed those signs urging you to stay back. Not everywhere in Ireland is as dangerous as this, though - here are the country's highlights.

Looming above Yosemite National Park, Half Dome lures thousands of intrepid hikers every year determined to scale its curved summit. The 14-mile (22.5km) round trip to the top takes walkers into the wilderness and has a reputation for dangerous conditions – a hiker was killed in September 2019 after falling 500 feet (152m) while climbing. Rockfalls are also frequent and can be deadly. Not to mention Yosemite’s resident black bears.

Following upgrades completed in 2015 and new visitor restrictions, the walkway is much tamer (and safer) than it once was – but it still takes a lionhearted traveller to brave such heights. Not least because several hikers have plummeted to their deaths here over years, the most recent case involving a group of walkers in 2000.

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Up to 100 people die each year as they attempt to scale towards the summit. The deaths have been related to treacherous terrain and changeable conditions, often paired with hikers’ lack of adequate kit.

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The pool is only accessible from mid-August to mid-January, depending on the Zambezi’s water levels. The sound might be deafening but you won’t get a more exhilarating outlook on the raging waters of the Victoria Falls. 

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New Zealand has danger appeal aplenty for adrenaline junkies but the 11-mile (18km) two-day Cascade Saddle Route is a true test of stamina. The gruelling trek, which crosses from the West Matukituki valley to the Dart Valley, rewards hardy hikers with spectacular alpine views.

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The strength of the eruption meant the original volcano largely collapsed. But some decades later, a new one was born from the crater – it’s known as Anak Krakatoa, or “Child of Krakatoa”. This volcano remains active and experts predict that, should the cone reach the size of its predecessor, it could present a similar level of danger. You're still able to visit the volcano on guided tours. 

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The beaches of this French enclave in the Indian Ocean are exquisite and remarkably crowd-free, especially compared with glitzier neighbour Mauritius. Known for its epic waves and laid-back atmosphere, Réunion is also a surfing mecca for those in the know.

Unfortunately, it's also one of the most shark-infested spots in the world. In the past eight years it's believed there have been 24 attacks and 11 fatalities. Two deaths have occurred in 2019 so far when a fisherman was killed by a bull shark in January and a surfer died after losing his leg in May. Saint-Paul on the west coast has seen the most attacks with 19 since 1981, including a 15-year-old snorkeller who was killed just off the beach in 2013. It led to the government banning swimming and surfing at any beaches without shark nets.

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The extremely narrow road hugs the mountainside and winds through steep terrain. Thankfully a new road allows cars to bypass some of its most dangerous sections but cyclists can still risk their lives on them should they wish. 

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Riders are in for an exhilarating but bumpy 40-mile (64km) descent with sheer cliff drops just inches away. Don’t get distracted by the vertiginous views of the Amazon rainforest, whatever you do as it's believed 18 cyclists have died in recent times. 

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Dominica's Boiling Lake is actually a flooded fumarole – a crack in the Earth’s crust – and has been known to drain entirely and for its water to suddenly cool. But when it’s at its hottest, the murky water spits and bubbles like a cauldron. It can spray out burning hot water, so it's best not to get too close.

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Although tourists can stand (or sit) right on the edge of Trolltunga, it's at their own risk. Sadly, a woman slipped and fell to her death here in 2015 and visitors taking photos are advised to be mindful of the often strong winds that whip around this isolated spot. 

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Finally, while this isn't the most dangerous destination on our list, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is certainly bound to get your adrenaline pumping. Located in Northern Ireland it's just 18 inches wide, so lose your footing and you might well be in for a fright. It's suspended 98 feet above the rocky coastline at the province's northern tip between two cliffs, 66 feet (20m) apart.