Top 50 Most Popular Natural Wonders

Auroras, also known as northern and southern (polar) lights or aurorae, are natural light displays in the sky, particularly in the polar regions, and usually observed at night. They typically occur in the ionosphere. They are also referred to as polar auroras. This is a misnomer however, because they are commonly visible between 65 to 72 degrees north and south latitudes, which place them a ring just within the Arctic and Antarctic circles.

A few places where you can accomplish this: Svalbard in Norway, Kakslauttanen in Finland, Jukkasjärvi in Sweden, Reykjavik in Iceland, and Northern Canada

RELATED GOALS:

See the Northern Lights

See the Northern Lights in Scandinavia

Witness the Northern Lights

See the Icelandic Northern Lights

Marvel at the Northern Lights

2. The Grand Canyon ARIZONA

The awe-inspiring beauty and vastness of the Grand Canyon make it a must-visit destination for any avid traveler. Located in Arizona, this natural wonder offers a myriad of activities and sights to explore. From hiking along the rim trails and capturing breathtaking views of the steep cliffs and deep gorges, to embarking on thrilling whitewater rafting adventures in the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon promises an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. With its rich geological history and mesmerizing landscapes, this iconic landmark is a testament to the Earth's incredible natural wonders.

Some popular activities you might be interested in: Take a hike in the Grand Canyon, Camp at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Go horseback riding in the Grand Canyon, and Go rafting down the Grand Canyon.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit the Grand Canyon

See the Grand Canyon

Visit Grand Canyon National Park

Hike the Grand Canyon

Watch the sunset from the Grand Canyon

Go to the Grand Canyon

Take a hike in the Grand Canyon

3. See a meteor shower

A meteor shower is a celestial event in which a number of meteors are observed to radiate from one point in the night sky. These meteors are caused by streams of cosmic debris called meteoroids entering Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speeds on parallel trajectories. Most meteors are smaller than a grain of sand, so almost all of them disintegrate and never hit the Earth's surface.

Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through the debris left behind by a comet, resulting in a spectacular celestial display.

RELATED GOALS:

Watch a meteor shower

See a meteor shower

Stay up late and watch a meteor shower

Stay up all night to watch a meteor shower

Witness a meteor shower

Photograph a meteor shower

Take the time to observe a meteor shower

4. Niagara Falls NEW YORK

Niagara Falls, a majestic natural wonder located on the border of the United States and Canada, is a dream destination for many travel enthusiasts. This iconic landmark, renowned for its breathtaking beauty and raw power, offers a plethora of activities and attractions to explore. From taking a thrilling boat ride on the Maid of the Mist to embarking on scenic hikes along the Niagara Gorge, there is no shortage of adventures to be had. Additionally, visitors can indulge in the vibrant nightlife of Clifton Hill, witness the mesmerizing illumination of the falls at night, or even try their luck at the nearby Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. With its awe-inspiring landscapes and unforgettable experiences, a visit to Niagara Falls promises to be an unforgettable journey of natural marvels and exciting escapades.

The Niagara Falls is not just one waterfall, but a collection of three waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Niagara Falls

Go to Niagara Falls

See Niagara Falls

See Niagara Falls from the Canadian side

Go on the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls

Do a Maid of the Mist boat tour for a close-up view of Niagara Falls

5. Great Barrier Reef AUSTRALIA

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in north-east Australia. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms.

The Great Barrier Reef is home to over 1,500 species of fish, making it a diver's paradise.

RELATED GOALS:

Dive the Great Barrier Reef

Visit the Great Barrier Reef

See the Great Barrier Reef

Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef

Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef

Go to the Great Barrier Reef

Go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef

6. Yosemite National Park CALIFORNIA

Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in east central California, United States. The park covers an area of 761,268 acres (3,080.74 km) and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. Over 3.7 million people visit Yosemite each year: most spend their time in the seven square miles (18 km) of Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite is one of the most popular parks in the country and outdoor enthusiasts will not want to miss the opportunity to Hike Half Dome!

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Yosemite National Park

Go to Yosemite National Park

Go camping in Yosemite

Visit Yosemite and photograph the famous "lava" Horsetail Waterfall

Hike Yosemite

Camp at Yosemite

See Horsetail Falls at Yosemite

7. Yellowstone National Park WYOMING

Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, though it also extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone was the first national park in the world, and is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful Geyser, one of the most popular features in the park.

The oldest national park in the US - founded in 1872. Home to over 300 waterfalls, and also the “Old Faithful” geyser - so-called because visitors can rely on it to erupt regularly.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Yellowstone National Park

Go to Yellowstone National Park

See the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park

See the Beauty Pool of Yellowstone National Park

Camp in Yellowstone National Park

8. The Amazon Rainforest BRAZIL, PERU, ECUADOR, BOLIVIA

The mesmerizing allure of the Amazon Rainforest has captivated the hearts of adventurers for centuries. This lush, biodiverse paradise teems with vibrant flora and fauna, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse oneself in nature's grandeur. Embarking on an expedition to the Amazon unveils a myriad of thrilling experiences, from embarking on exhilarating jungle treks and witnessing the majestic waterfalls to encountering rare wildlife species and engaging with indigenous communities. A journey to the Amazon Rainforest promises an unforgettable adventure that will leave visitors in awe of its untamed beauty and profound ecological significance.

The Amazon Rainforest is home to over 2.5 million species of insects.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit the Amazon Rainforest

Explore the Amazon Rain Forest

See the Amazon Rainforest

Travel the Amazon River by boat

9. The Dead Sea JORDAN, ISRAEL

The Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea, is a salt lake bordering Jordan to the east, and Israel to the west. Its surface and shores are 422 metres (1,385 ft) below sea level, the lowest elevation on the Earth's surface on dry land. The Dead Sea is 378 m (1,240 ft) deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. It is also one of the world's saltiest bodies of water, with 33.7% salinity.

Due to its high salinity, the Dead Sea allows you to effortlessly float on its surface.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit the Dead Sea

Float in the Dead Sea

Swim in the Dead Sea

Float on the Jordanian Dead Sea

10. Galápagos Islands ECUADOR

The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean, 972 km (525 nmi) west of continental Ecuador, of which they are a part. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site: wildlife is its most notable feature. The Galápagos islands and its surrounding waters form an Ecuadorian province, a national park, and a biological marine reserve. The principal language on the islands is Spanish. The islands have a population of around 23,000.

The Galápagos Islands are home to giant tortoises that can live over 100 years.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit the Galápagos Islands

Visit the Galápagos Islands National Park

Explore the Galapagos Islands

11. Mount Kilimanjaro TANZANIA

Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level (the Uhuru Peak / Kibo Peak). Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain as well as the 4th most prominent mountain in the world, rising 5,882 metres or 19,298 feet from the base. The exact meaning and origin of the name Kilimanjaro is unknown.

Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, offering breathtaking views from its summit.

RELATED GOALS:

Climb Kilimanjaro

Hike Mount Kilimanjaro

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Do a Mount Kilimanjaro trek

12. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park AUSTRALIA

Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies 335 km (208 mi) south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Ulu?u-Kata Tju?a National Park. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings.

Plan your visit during the cooler months from May to September to avoid the extreme desert heat.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Uluru

See Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Complete the Uluru base walk

Visit Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

13. Florida Everglades FLORIDA

The Everglades are subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee. Water leaving the lake in the wet season forms a slow-moving river 60 miles (97 km) wide and over 100 miles (160 km) long, flowing southward across a limestone shelf to Florida Bay at the southern end of the state.

The Florida Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including the endangered Florida panther and the American crocodile.

RELATED GOALS:

See the alligators in the Everglades

Visit Everglades National Park

See the Everglades

Visit the Everglades

14. Iguazu Falls BRAZIL, ARGENTINA

Iguazu Falls, Iguassu Falls, or Iguaçu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian State of Paraná and the Argentine Province of Misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Iguazu River starts at the city of Curitiba and runs for the most part of the course in Brazil and at the end at the border of Brazil and Argentina.

Iguazu Falls spans both Argentina and Brazil, offering over 270 breathtaking waterfalls in lush rainforest.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Iguazu Falls

Visit Iguaçu National Park

Visit Foz do Iguaçu

15. The Black Forest GERMANY

The Black Forest is a wooded mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. It is bordered by the Rhine valley to the west and south. The highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 meters (4,898 ft). The region is almost rectangular with a length of 200 km (120 mi) and breadth of 60 km (37 mi). Hence it has an area of approximately 12,000 km (4,600 sq mi). The name Schwarzwald, i.e.

The Black Forest is home to the world's largest cuckoo clock, located in Triberg.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit the Black Forest

Visit the Black Forest (Schwarzwald)

16. Mount Vesuvius ITALY

Mount Vesuvius is a stratovolcano on the Bay of Naples, Italy, about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) east of Naples and a short distance from the shore. It is the only volcano on the European mainland to have erupted within the last hundred years, although it is not currently erupting. The two other major active volcanoes in Italy, Etna and Stromboli, are located on islands. Mount Vesuvius is best known for its eruption in AD 79 that led to the destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano in mainland Europe, last erupting in 1944.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Mount Vesuvius

Climb Mount Vesuvius

Hike Mt. Vesuvius

17. The Maldives MALDIVES

The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls, which are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. It’s known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs.

The Maldives is the lowest country in the world, with an average ground level of just 1.5 meters above sea level.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit the Maldives

18. Table Mountain SOUTH AFRICA

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top. The mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park.

Table Mountain's unique "tablecloth" cloud formation is created by the south-easterly wind, known locally as the "Cape Doctor.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Table Mountain

Climb Table Mountain

Take a cable car up Cape Town’s Table Mountain

Hike up Table Mountain

Abseil Table Mountain

19. Yellowstone's Old Faithful Geyser WYOMING

Old Faithful is a cone geyser located in Wyoming, in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. Old Faithful was named in 1870 during the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition and was the first geyser in the park to receive a name. The geyser, as well as the nearby Old Faithful Inn, is part of the Old Faithful Historic District.

Old Faithful geyser, located in Yellowstone National Park, erupts with remarkable predictability, shooting water as high as 185 feet into the air approximately every 90 minutes, making it one of the most famous and reliable geysers in the world.

RELATED GOALS:

Gaze at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park

See the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park

See Old Faithful

Visit Yellowstone (also see Old Faithful)

20. Mount Fuji JAPAN

Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island, is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft). An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about 100 kilometres (60 mi) south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone, which is snow-capped several months a year, is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and photographs, as well as visited by sightseers and climbers.

Mount Fuji is best viewed early in the morning, especially from Lake Kawaguchi for stunning reflections.

RELATED GOALS:

21. Monument Valley ARIZONA, UTAH

Monument Valley is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft (300 m) above the valley floor. It is located on the southern border of Utah with northern Arizona, near the Four Corners area. The valley lies within the range of the Navajo Nation Reservation, and is accessible from U.S. Highway 163.

Monument Valley, located on the Arizona-Utah border, has served as the backdrop for countless Western films, making it one of the most iconic and recognizable landscapes in the world.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Monument Valley

22. Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River ZAMBIA

"Ever since discovered in the year 1855, Victoria Falls has unfailingly mesmerized every visitor to its midsts. Nearly a mile wide, the falls are situated on Zambezi River. The mist that rises when millions of gallons of water leaps 400 feet down, is seen from almost 40 miles away. At the foot of the falls, the rapids that are formed provide perfect setting for rafting. To get the best views of Victoria Falls, opt for 'Flights of the Angels', a 15 minute plane trip that takes you over the falls. It has been dubbed as the most scenic flight trips in the world."

23. Crater Lake National Park OREGON

Giant crater lake - The crater lake at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon was formed about 150 years ago by the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama.

Crater Lake National Park is home to the deepest lake in the United States, formed in the collapsed caldera of Mount Mazama.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Crater Lake National Park

Visit Crater Lake

24. Carlsbad Caverns NEW MEXICO

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a United States National Park in the Guadalupe Mountains in southeastern New Mexico. The primary attraction of the park for most visitors is the show cave, Carlsbad Caverns. Visitors to the cave can hike in on their own via the natural entrance, or take the elevator (the exit for everyone) directly to the Underground Lunchroom some 750 feet (230 m) below.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is home to the deepest cave in the continental United States. Lechuguilla Cave is 138.3 miles (222.6 km) long and the seventh-longest explored cave in the world.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Explore Carlsbad Caverns

Visit Carlsbad Caverns

25. The Lake District ENGLAND

The Lake District, also known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous for its lakes and its mountains (or fells), and its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth and the Lake Poets. The central, and most visited, part of the area is contained in the Lake District National Park, the largest of thirteen National Parks in England and Wales, and second largest in the UK.

The Lake District's Scafell Pike is England's highest peak, offering breathtaking views from 3,209 feet.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit the Lake District

26. Bryce Canyon National Park UTAH

Bryce Canyon National Park is a United States National Park that is located in Utah's Canyon Country. Some 35,835 acres (14,502 ha) or 56 mi² (145 km²) in extent, the designated area around the spectacular Bryce Canyon (not actually a canyon, but rather a giant natural amphitheater created by erosion) became a United States National Monument in 1923 and was designated as a National Park in 1928. The park is one of the most popular in Utah with nearly one million people visiting each year.

Bryce Canyon is not actually a canyon, but a collection of natural amphitheaters formed by erosion along the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in Utah.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Bryce Canyon National Park

Drive into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater

27. Milford Sound NEW ZEALAND

Milford Sound is a fjord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island, within Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top travel destination in an international survey (the 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards by TripAdvisor) and is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth Wonder of the World.

Milford Sound receives over 200 days of rain annually, creating stunning waterfalls and lush landscapes.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Milford Sound

Hike the Milford Track

Walk the Milford Track

Sail through Milford Sound

28. White Sands NEW MEXICO

White Sands National Monument is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It's known for its dramatic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes. Trails through the dunes include the raised Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail, dotted with interpretive exhibits on wildlife and other features.

Home to the largest gypsum dune field in the world, covering over 275 square miles of desert.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit White Sands

29. Angel Falls VENEZUELA

Angel Falls was first seen by the explorer Ernesto de Santa Cruz at the beginning of the 20th century before the known world. Then the American aviator, James Crawford Angel was officially discovered this waterfall as he searched for gold mining site. In 1936, James Angel returned and landed near the waterfall. To commemorate the founder of this waterfall named "Angel Falls". However Pemon Indians themselves called it a "Auyan-tepui" ("Aiyan-tepui") or "Mountain of the Devil".

Angel Falls is the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, dropping 3,212 feet from Auyán-tepui.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Angel Falls

30. Blue Lagoon ICELAND

The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. The steamy waters are part of a lava formation. The spa is located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwestern Iceland. Bláa lónið is situated approximately 13 km (8 miles) from the Keflavík International Airport and 39 km (24 miles) from the capital city of Reykjavík. That is roughly a 20 minute drive from the airport and a 40 minute drive from Reykjavík.

The Blue Lagoon's geothermal waters are rich in minerals and silica, great for your skin.

RELATED GOALS:

Swim in the Blue Lagoon

Visit the Blue Lagoon

31. Sequoia National Park CALIFORNIA

Sequoia National Park is a national park in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of Visalia, California, in the United States of America. It was established on September 25, 1890. The park spans 404,051 acres (1,635 km). Encompassing a vertical relief of nearly 13,000 feet (4,000 m), the park contains among its natural resources the highest point in the contiguous 48 United States, Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet (4,421 m) above sea level.

Sequoia National Park is home to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth by volume.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Sequoia National Park

See General Sherman in Sequoia National Park

32. Ha Long Bay VIETNAM

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular travel destination, located in Qu?ng Ninh province, Vietnam. Administratively, the bay belongs to Ha Long City, C?m Ph? town, and part of Van Don district. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Ha Long Bay is a center of a larger zone which includes Bái T? Long bay to the northeast, and Cát Bà islands to the southwest.

Halong Bay's stunning limestone karsts are best explored by kayak, revealing hidden caves and lagoons.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Halong Bay

Take a junk boat in Ha Long Bay

Sail around Ha long bay

33. Mammoth Cave National Park KENTUCKY

The park's 52,830 acres (21,380 ha) are located primarily in Edmonson County, Kentucky, with small areas extending eastward into Hart County and Barren County. It is centered around the Green River, with a tributary, the Nolin River, feeding into the Green just inside the park.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky has the longest cave system in the world with more than 3,454 mapped miles.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Mammoth Cave National Park

Visit Mammoth Cave

34. Antelope Canyon ARIZONA

Antelope Canyon is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon includes two separate, photogenic slot canyon sections, referred to individually as Upper Antelope Canyon or The Crack; and Lower Antelope Canyon or The Corkscrew. The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tsé bighánílíní, which means “the place where water runs through rocks.” Lower Antelope Canyon is Hazdistazí, or “spiral rock arches.

Antelope Canyon, located in Arizona, is known for its stunning light beams that penetrate through the narrow sandstone walls, creating a magical and ethereal atmosphere.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Antelope Canyon

Explore Antelope Canyon

Hike Antelope Canyon

35. Cappadocia TURKEY

Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey, largely in Nevsehir Province. The name was traditionally used in Christian sources throughout history and is still widely used as an international tourism concept to define a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage.

Cappadocia's unique fairy chimneys and rock formations were formed by ancient volcanic eruptions and erosion.

RELATED GOALS:

See the Fairy chimney formations in Cappadocia

Visit Cappadocia

Take an early morning hot-air balloon fight over the moonscape of Cappadocia

36. The Rocky Mountains UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Rocky Mountains (or the Rockies) are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3,000 miles (4,830 km) from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States. Within the North American Cordillera, the Rockies are somewhat distinct from the Pacific Coast Ranges and the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada which all lie further to the west.

The Rocky Mountains stretch over 3,000 miles across North America, making them one of the longest mountain ranges in the world.

RELATED GOALS:

Take a train through the Rocky Mountains

See the Rocky Mountains

Visit the Rocky Mountains

37. Death Valley National Park CALIFORNIA

Death Valley National Park is a national park located east of the Sierra Nevada in the arid Great Basin of the United States. Parts of the park are in southern Inyo County and northern San Bernardino County in Eastern California, with a small extension into southwestern Nye County and extreme southern Esmeralda County in Nevada. In addition, there is an exclave in southern Nye County.

Death Valley National Park was the setting for Tatooine in "Star Wars".

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Death Valley National Park

See the sliding stones of Death Valley

38. The Matterhorn ITALY

The Matterhorn (German), Monte Cervino (Italian) or Mont Cervin (French), is a mountain in the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Its peak is 4,478 metres (14,692 ft) high, making it one of the highest peaks in the Alps. The four steep faces, rising above the surrounding glaciers, indicate the four compass points. The mountain overlooks the town of Zermatt in the canton of Valais to north-east and Breuil-Cervinia in the Aosta Valley to the south.

The Matterhorn's Hörnli Hut offers stunning sunrise views, perfect for early morning adventurers.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit the Matterhorn/Cervino

See The Matterhorn

Visit the Matterhorn

View the Matterhorn from Zermatt

39. Thrihnukagigur Volcano ICELAND

Thrihnukagigur volcano is dormant – it last erupted over 4,000 years ago. There are no indications of it erupting again in the near future. The volcano’s name, mostly unpronounceable for anyone other than locals, would be directly translated as ‘Three Peaks Crater’. The name comes from Árni B. Stefánsson, who was the first to explore the vault and who has pleaded the case for making it accessible for years.

40. Mount Rainier WASHINGTON

Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle. It is the most prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of 14,411 feet (4,392 m). Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, and it is on the Decade Volcano list. Because of its large amount of glacial ice, Mt. Rainier could potentially produce massive lahars that would threaten the whole Puyallup River valley.

Home to Mount Rainier, an active volcano that last erupted roughly 150 years ago, and is the most recognized peak in the Cascade Range.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Mount Rainier National Park

Hike the trails at Mount Rainier

41. Multnomah Falls OREGON

Multnomah Falls is a waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, located east of Troutdale, between Corbett and Dodson, along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The falls drops in two major steps, split into an upper falls of 542 feet (165 m) and a lower falls of 69 feet (21 m), with a gradual 9 foot (3 m) drop in elevation between the two, so the total height of the waterfall is conventionally given as 620 feet (189 m).

The Multnomah Falls in Oregon is the second tallest year-round waterfall in the United States, with a total height of 620 feet.

RELATED GOALS:

See Multnomah Falls

Visit Multnomah Falls

Hike to the top of Multnomah Falls

42. Glacier Bay National Park ALASKA

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a United States national park and preserve in the Alaska panhandle west of Juneau. President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the area around Glacier Bay a national monument under the Antiquities Act on February 25, 1925.

Glacier Bay National Park is home to over 1,000 glaciers, making it one of the largest concentrations of tidewater glaciers in the world.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Glacier Bay National Park

Cruise Glacier Bay National Park

43. Stone Mountain GEORGIA

Stone Mountain is a quartz monzonite dome monadnock in Stone Mountain, Georgia. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet amsl and 825 feet (251.5 m) above the surrounding area. Stone Mountain granite extends underground 9 miles (14 km) at its longest point into Gwinnett County. Numerous reference books and Georgia literature have dubbed Stone Mountain as “the largest exposed piece of granite in the world".

Stone Mountain is home to the largest high-relief sculpture in the world, featuring Confederate leaders Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Stone Mountain

See the laser show at Stone Mountain Park

Visit Stone Mountain Park

44. Jeju Island SOUTH KOREA

Jeju-do (transliterated Korean for Jeju Province, short form of Jeju Special Autonomous Province) is the only special autonomous province of South Korea, situated on and coterminous with the country's largest island. Jeju-do lies in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, of which it was a part before it became a separate province in 1946. Its capital is the city of Jeju. The island contains the Natural World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.

Jeju Island's Manjanggul Lava Tube, a UNESCO site, features stunning lava stalactites and formations.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Jeju Island

45. Grand Teton WYOMING

Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, south of Yellowstone National Park. The park is named after the Grand Teton, which, at 13,770 feet, is the tallest mountain in the Teton Range. The origin of the name "Teton" is not definitive. One possible origin is that it was the name given by French trappers in the area.

Grand Teton is the only mountain range in North America that rises abruptly from a flat valley floor without any foothills.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Grand Teton National Park

46. Torres del Paine CHILE

In the heart of Patagonia, glaciers rise in the midst of mountainscapes and alpine meadows, close enough to hike right up to and touch. They make Torres del Paine one of the most special national parks in the world — you'll never forget your first sight of ice on the beach.

Torres del Paine National Park is home to the breathtaking "W" trek, offering stunning views of glaciers, lakes, and granite peaks.

RELATED GOALS:

Hike Torres del Paine

47. Mackenzie Basin NEW ZEALAND

The Mackenzie Basin (popularly and traditionally known as the Mackenzie Country), is an elliptical intermontane basin, located in the Mackenzie and Waitaki Districts, near the centre of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest such basin in New Zealand. Historically famous mainly for sheep farming, the sparsely populated area is now also a popular tourism destination.

The Mackenzie Basin is home to the world's largest Dark Sky Reserve, perfect for stargazing.

RELATED GOALS:

Witness a star-filled sky in the Mackenzie Basin

48. Brighton Pier starling murmuration ENGLAND

The Brighton Marine Palace and Pier is a pleasure pier in Brighton, England. It is generally known as the Palace Pier for short, but has been informally renamed Brighton Pier since 2000 by its owners, the Noble Organisation, in an attempt to suggest that it is Brighton's only pier. The West Pier was its rival but was closed in 1975 and was subsequently severely damaged by fires and storms, with the remaining iron structure being partially demolished in 2010.

At dusk, Brighton Pier offers a mesmerizing view of starling murmurations, forming dynamic aerial patterns.

RELATED GOALS:

Witness a starling murmuration at Brighton Pier

49. Komodo National Park INDONESIA

The Komodo National Park is a national park in Indonesia located within the Lesser Sunda Islands in the border region between the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara. The park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Padar and Rincah, and 26 smaller ones, with a total area of 1,733 km² (603 km² of it land). The national park was founded in 1980 in order to protect the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard.

Komodo National Park is home to the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon, which can reach up to 10 feet long.

RELATED GOALS:

Visit Komodo National Park

50. The Jeita Grotto LEBANON

The Jeita Grotto is a compound two separate but interconnected karstic limestone caves spanning an overall length of nearly 9 kilometres (5.6 mi). The caves are situated in the Nahr al-Kalb valley within the locality of Jeita, 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of the Lebanese capital Beirut.