World's 15 Iconic Adventures Worth the Effort

On the island of Java, Maha-yana Buddhist pilgrims climb the 95-foot-high, multitiered structure (the single largest Buddhist temple on Earth) as a symbolic journey to enlightenment. Apex views of surrounding volcanoes are breathtaking, but the nearly 3,000 bas-reliefs deserve a closer look.

Crowned by the fifth-century b.c. Parthenon, Athens’s hilltop citadel is the most complete ancient Greek monumental complex still in existence. Walking up takes 15 to 20 minutes. For a less steep climb, enter on the southeast side near the Acropolis Metro stop.

Built over a period of 2,000 years, the mother of all border walls (made up of multiple segments) is a tangible link to imperial China. Walk in the footsteps of emperors, and see well-preserved Ming dynasty–era watchtowers on the six-mile Jinshanling section, 2.5 hours northeast of Beijing. Start at Zhuanduokou Pass for hikes that can last 1.5 to three hours.

Towering 590 feet over the surrounding countryside in central Sri Lanka, the granite monolith known as Lion’s Rock (colossal stone paws still flank the staircase) is capped by the ruins of a fifth-century royal palace. Don’t look down on the vertigo-inducing climb (about 1,200 steps) to the summit

An emerald Eden and UNESCO World Heritage site, Plitvice has 16 terraced lakes linked by boardwalks, streams, and tumbling cascades. Hike through a canyon and a cave to the base of the national park’s tallest (256-foot-drop) waterfall on the six-to-eight-hour north entrance walking tour.

Snaking beneath central Kentucky’s hills is the world’s longest known cave system. So far, more than 400 miles have been explored. On the two-hour Domes and Dripstones Tour you’ll go deep—about 280 steps down—into a mammoth underworld of stalactites and stalagmites.

Lavender fields fill a summer walk in Provence’s Lubéron region with color and fragrance. Several hiking routes (called sentiers) wind through the area. Our favorite fields are at Sénanque Abbey, where the monks’ photogenic rows of lavender draw crowds. Go early or late to avoid the tour buses.

Some two dozen behemoth baobab trees, many towering almost a hundred feet, line this earthen road near the west coast of the island nation of Madagascar. The scene looks straight out of the movie Land of the Lost—and, in fact, these gentle giants, protected since 2007, are 800-year-old survivors of a primordial forest.

Perched at over 12,000 feet above sea level, the Tibetan architectural masterpiece and former residence of the Dalai Lama is considered the world’s highest altitude ancient palace. Acclimate yourself to the thin air before attempting the more than 400 steps to the top.

The imposing 16th-century complex of palaces and temples sits high atop the “hill of eagles” in Rajasthan. A strenuous (there’s an ambulance at the top) 10-minute climb leads up to the fort’s jewel-like mosaics, elaborate courtyards and halls, and the Pink City panorama below.

Unleash your inner Spider-Man on the 1,332-step BridgeClimb, which clambers up ladders and traverses catwalks on Sydney’s signature bridge to reach the upper arch, 440 feet above sea level. Short on time or courage? Go just halfway to the top on the 90-minute BridgeClimb Sampler.

Buy time-stamped tickets online to climb 251 steps to the observation deck of Pisa’s gravity-defying bell tower. Completed in 1399, the tower leans imperceptibly less since a 2001 restoration project helped stabilize the building.

From the spiraling ramp inside the glass dome of Germany’s old-is-new parliament building—about 300 steps up and down, meant to represent the rise of the people over their representatives—peer out on such city landmarks as the Brandenburg Gate. Entry is free, but reservations are required.