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Exploring less-traveled paths can be exciting, but some places on Earth are so extreme that even the most daring explorers might hesitate. Whether it's due to unbearable weather conditions or their remoteness, some locations simply aren’t worth the trek.
Here, we’ll take a look at ten destinations you might want to skip for your next vacation—unless, of course, you're fond of grueling journeys, freezing temperatures, and minimal comforts upon arrival. These spots really take the saying, “It’s the journey, not the destination,” to the extreme.
10. Pitcairn Island
Located halfway between New Zealand and the Americas, Pitcairn Island is one of the most secluded places on Earth. Stretching just 10 kilometers (6 miles) in length and 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in width, Pitcairn was first discovered in 1767. The island became famous when it was settled by mutineers from the HMS Bounty, led by Fletcher Christian. Today, the island’s population consists primarily of descendants of these sailors.
Currently, there are only a handful of residents left, despite attempts to attract newcomers. It seems that few are eager to relocate to an island with one store, where you must place orders three months in advance. While Pitcairn now has electricity and even internet access, its extreme isolation and barren landscape led it to rely heavily on stamp exports. But who still uses stamps these days?
Should you wish to visit, your best option is to catch a ride with a passing container ship or fly to French Polynesia and embark on a 30-hour boat ride. However, even if you make the trip, you'll need to submit an application, which is likely to be denied. It seems the residents of Pitcairn are resolute in their desire to remain secluded, with their own unique and sometimes eccentric way of life.
9. Ittoqqortoormiit
Ittoqqortoormiit is the most remote settlement in Greenland, a country already known for its inaccessibility. The region is primarily inhabited by reindeer, musk oxen, and walruses, with the occasional human presence. Its isolation is compounded by being cut off from shipping for nine months a year due to ice, and the land itself is riddled with fjords.
The 450 residents of Ittoqqortoormiit mainly rely on ice fishing and hunting to make a living, along with a small amount of tourism during the three months when ships can dock. They also dedicate significant time to painting their homes in vivid colors.
Those who manage to visit come to experience the unique wildlife and stunning landscapes. Ittoqqortoormiit is nestled among national parks and surrounded by breathtaking fjords.
For two months, from mid-November to mid-January, Ittoqqortoormiit is shrouded in complete darkness, with no sunrise. During this period, the locals typically stay indoors, flipping through color catalogues to choose the next shade for their homes.
8. Edinburgh Of The Seven Seas
Located in the South Atlantic Ocean, Tristan da Cunha is a volcanic island home to a settlement called Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. The nearest island, Saint Helena (where Napoleon was exiled), is a distant 2,173 kilometers (1,350 miles) away.
Reaching this island is no easy feat. Very few ships make the journey. Most visitors hitch a ride on polar expedition vessels departing from Cape Town, which pass the island about nine or ten times a year. The island has roughly 250 residents, along with an abundance of penguins, its own albatross, and even a nine-hole golf course built by a homesick British official once stationed there. However, the area's strong winds and steep terrain make for a challenging game of golf, making it unlikely to improve your score.
The people of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas are descendants of the original military garrison, sent to prevent the island from being used as a base in an attempt to rescue Napoleon. After the garrison left, some men decided to remain and establish a community based on principles of cooperation and equality.
Today, the community is dwindling, and the islanders are actively seeking new members to help grow their population. Recently, they put out an advertisement looking for farmers to help cultivate their main crop: potatoes. Applicants should be comfortable with their own company and willing to try their best at adapting to island life.
7. Changtang
Changtang is located at the Roof of the World, towering above at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). It stretches across a vast expanse of Tibet, bordering India. Despite its size, the area remains largely uninhabited, except for wildlife such as snow leopards, brown bears, blue sheep, and wild yaks.
Changtang is the home of a few nomadic people who survive by herding livestock across this harsh land. At one point, as many as half a million people made their living in an area too desolate for crops. The weather here is highly unpredictable, with short summers, frigid winters, and frequent storms. However, those who endure are rewarded with breathtaking views and incredible wildlife.
The few inhabitants who remain have traditionally thrived without the use of money, relying instead on a complex system of bartering. This way of life is now changing, however, due to government regulations and taxation. Ah, progress.
6. Utqiagvik
Utqiagvik, which was once called Barrow, holds the title of the northernmost town in the United States. Situated 515 kilometers (320 miles) above the Arctic Circle, it spans 55 square kilometers (21 square miles) and is home to approximately 4,000 residents, primarily Inupiat Eskimos. Visitors may find little to do unless they are particularly fond of ice and snow, though there’s always the possibility of spotting a polar bear scavenging around the town's municipal dump.
The region is experiencing the effects of climate change, with reports of animals previously unknown to the area being sighted. Among the reports are polar bears and grizzly bears mating, which has led to the creation of hybrid “grolar” bears. Scientists believe this is not the first instance of such interbreeding, noting that similarities in the DNA structure of both species suggest they may have crossed paths in the past due to habitat destruction.
While the wildlife seems to be adjusting to the changes in the environment, the Inupiat Eskimos have had difficulty adapting to the increasing economic development in the region. This has unfortunately led to rising rates of depression and suicide.
5. Easter Island
Easter Island, one of the most famous and mysterious places on Earth, is located far off the coast of Chile and remains one of the most difficult to reach. It was 'discovered' by a group of Dutch explorers on Easter Sunday 1722, overlooking the existence of the island's indigenous people. At that time, the population, which had once numbered around 12,000, had fallen to just 111, and ten minutes later, it was reduced to 101.
In 1722, the inhabitants of Easter Island were facing near starvation. Over the past few centuries, the population had been decimated due to a lack of resources, primarily the destruction of the island’s trees. These trees had been cut down to move stones, used for firewood, or cleared for crop production. Additionally, rats are believed to have eaten the seeds of the towering palm trees, preventing new growth. Unfortunately, the explorers did not bring salvation. Those natives who were not killed upon the explorers' arrival soon fell victim to smallpox and syphilis, and the native population was ultimately wiped out.
The origins of the island’s first settlers remain shrouded in mystery, as does the reason they populated the island with statues that, instead of facing out to sea, looked inward over the land. There are nearly 900 moai (the local name for these statues) scattered across the island, some unfinished. These massive stones weighed up to 80 tons and were somehow transported from the quarry to their sites of prominence around the island.
4. The Kerguelen Islands
Previously known as the Desolation Islands, the Kerguelen Islands’ new name doesn’t quite hide the fact that they remain among the most desolate spots on the planet. Located in the Southern Indian Ocean, Kerguelen is dominated by rugged, unwelcoming peaks and active glaciers.
The islands are home to sizable populations of penguins and seals, though they have few human inhabitants. Most residents are French scientists conducting studies on the weather and climate change. The islands lack native mammals, but their marine ecosystems are rich with life. Whaling ships, once a frequent sight in these waters, have now been banned, allowing the numbers of whales and seals to rise year after year.
Unless you’re a marine biologist or meteorologist fluent in French, it’s unlikely you’ll ever visit the Desolation Islands. And considering there’s little to see beyond marine life and weather research, you probably wouldn’t miss much.
3. Oymyakon
Oymyakon holds the title of the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth. Located in Siberia, temperatures in Oymyakon have dropped as low as –67 degrees Celsius (–80 °F), the coldest recorded temperature outside of Antarctica. It’s so freezing that the town’s official thermometer, originally installed by a well-meaning official to attract tourists, broke when the mercury inside it froze.
The name Oymyakon translates to 'water that never freezes' and refers to a thermal spring found in the area, which is likely a blessing. Originally established as a resting spot for reindeer herders, who watered their animals at the spring, Oymyakon now has about 500 permanent residents, a shop, and even a school, though the school closes if temperatures dip below –50 degrees Celsius (–58 °F). What softies.
Should you venture to Oymyakon, and why wouldn’t you, prepare yourself for plenty of snow and not much else. Unless you’re lucky enough to see the slightly used thermometer.
2. Socotra
Socotra is located off the coast of Yemen. Isolated from neighboring lands for millions of years, the island is home to a range of unique plants and animals. One of the most striking trees found here is the dragon blood tree, which is said to have grown at the site where two brothers fought to the death. Legend says that their blood nourished the tree, explaining its crimson red sap. As for the connection to dragons, that's anyone’s guess.
Often referred to as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, Socotra is home to more than 700 species that are found nowhere else on Earth. Nomadic Bedouin tribes still inhabit the island, spending their summers sleeping under the stars and seeking shelter from the rain during the winter. However, the influence of the United Arab Emirates has begun to reshape Socotra, turning the once-isolated island into a growing outpost of the UAE.
1. McMurdo Station
McMurdo Station is located on Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island, the southernmost land accessible by ship. Established in 1955, it serves as a central hub for the US Antarctic Program. The station includes a harbor, a landing strip, a helipad, and all the necessary infrastructure to support scientists and researchers year-round in this remote area.
During the winter months, McMurdo Station is home to around 250 people, but that number swells to over 1,000 during the summer. Ross Island is also home to various research stations, a large population of penguins, and Mount Erebus, which is an active volcano.
Hut Point derives its name from the wooden shelter built by the renowned explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott. This hut was later used by Ernest Shackleton during his 1907 Nimrod expedition. Today, it is protected under the Antarctic Treaty as a designated Area of Special Protection. The area is also home to several memorials honoring Scott's ill-fated expedition, including a cross on Observation Hill to remember the explorers who tragically did not return home.
