9 Insane Cliff Views Around The World

These incredible views, from all over the world, give the Grand Canyon some serious competition.
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By Lauren Kilberg, CNTraveler.com

The U.S.'s own Grand Canyon is in good company with these spectacular views around the world.

Cliffs of Moher(County Clare, Ireland)Stretching for five miles along Ireland’s western coast, the Cliffs of Moher are a sight more than 300 million years in the making. At their highest, the cliffs soar an impressive 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, offering the million visitors who visit each year incredible views sure to leave hearts racing (both from the beauty and the height).© Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre
White Cliffs of Dover (Kent, United Kingdom) These famous bluffs along England’s southeastern coast are as rich in history as they are in beauty. They stand tall along the Strait of Dover, separating England from France and continental Europe. During World War I, the first bomb to hit the U.K. fell in the town of Dover, and it served as a prominent location during WWII as well. But nowadays, the city is best known for the beauty of its chalky white cliffs.Photo courtesy of Dover District Council
Preikestolen(Rogaland, Norway)Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, rises high over Lysefjord in Rogaland, Norway. This 1,982-foot-tall cliff offers stunning views, especially for any hikers brave enough to walk right up to its edge. According to legend, if seven sisters marry seven brothers from the surrounding area, Pulpit Rock will break from the mountain and tumble into the fjord below. We recommend planning your trip on a day when no weddings are scheduled at Preikestolen, just to be safe.Casper Tybjerg / Visit Norway
Grand Canyon(Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona)No list of incredible cliffs would be complete without the Grand Canyon. The majestic attraction runs along 277 miles of the Colorado River and is up to a mile deep and 18 miles wide. Peering out at the canyon walls offers colorful views of three of the four eras of geological time. For an even more thrilling experience, wander over to the glass-bottomed Grand Canyon Skywalk. The horseshoe-shaped bridge juts out 70 feet from the canyon’s wall and rises 4,000 feet above the Colorado River.© David R. Frazier Photolibrary, Inc. / Alamy
Cabo Girão(Madeira, Portugal)This steep sea cliff looms over the southern coast of Madeira, an island in the archipelago of the same name. At 1,932 feet above the sea, Cabo Girão is one of Europe’s highest cliffs. A glass-bottomed platform was installed in 2012, allowing visitors to pretend to defy gravity by standing out over the edge and looking down at the water below.© Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy
Kalaupapa Cliffs(Molokai, Hawaii)The cliffs at Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the Hawaiian island of Molokai are some of the steepest in the world, towering 1,600 feet above sea level. Once a leper colony, Kalaupapa's remote cliffs are now known for their sheer impressiveness and steepness.T. Scott Williams / NPS Image
Mount Thor(Nunavut, Canada)The name Mount Thor may inspire fear or respect—as well it should, considering this is the steepest, tallest cliff in the world. Thor reaches a staggering 4,101 feet above sea level, and the utter greatness of its vertical incline kept it from being successfully ascended until 1965. Today, it remains a challenging and sought-after conquest for rock climbers.© H. Mark Weidman Photography / Alamy
Cliffs of Étretat(Normandy, France)Located along France's Alabaster Coast, these cliffs offer more than just steep walls. Climb to the top and you'll have views of arched rock formations, as well as scenery that inspired Claude Monet. At various points along the cliffs' 80-mile stretch, you can spot natural sculptures that are said to resemble an elephant, among other things.© Christian Musat / Alamy
Half Dome(Yosemite, California)Half Dome, one of Yosemite National Park’s most famous rock formations, is technically not a cliff, but the dizzying views and steep rock faces of this massive formation earn it a place on this list. The peak was once considered inaccessible, but hikers with the proper permits can attempt this challenging ascent today and gaze from the 8,800-foot summit onto the Yosemite Valley below.Kenny Karst / DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

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