More than just getting you from point A to point B, these spectacular staircases offer some of the world's most breathtaking views—and heart-stopping thrills. Whether they're towering over natural wonders, or winding inside city landmarks, these steps are not for the faint of heart. Hold on to the nearest railing and check out our picks for the most terrifying stairs in the world.

1. Rock of Guatapé, Colombia

Over 650-feet-high, the Rock of Guatapé in Colombia features a scary 649-step staircase that zigzags up through a crack in monolith’s rock surface . These modern stairs lead to a great observation area perched on top of the rock, where guests can take in the stunning view, grab a meal or buy souvenirs. Largely under the radar with tourists, the monolith itself, also known as El Peñol, is over a million years old and is believed to weigh an estimated 10 million tons , reports News.com.au. The rock has been declared a national monument by the Colombian government.

2. Haiku Stairs, Hawaii

One thing to note off the bat: the Haiku Stairs in Oahu, Hawaii is not open to the public and hiking it is illegal. But dozens of adventurers climb up this "forbidden" 4,000-step ladder a day, one of the most beautiful (and scariest) hikes in the country. Also called the "Stairway to Heaven," the Haiku Stairs lead 2,500 feet to the top of the Pu'u Keahi a Kahoe peak, which towers over Moanalua Valley on one side and above Likelike Highway and Kaneohe on the other. The ladders are 18 inches wide and altogether about 4000 feet long , according to Friends of Haiku Stairs. The average slope is about 30 degrees and the trail gets so high that there are points in the hike where the peaks rise above clouds , according to Business Insider.

3. Mount Huashan, China

Located in the city of Huayin in Shaanxi province, China, Mount Huashan is one of the country's five sacred mountains. Known for the variety of precariously located temples and other religious structures on its slopes and peaks, Mount Huashan has attracted pilgrims for centuries. Even though the climb to the mountain does not require any technical climbing skills, the hike contains a network of steep steps, narrow passes and plank walks, making it one of the most treacherous pathways as it winds its way two thousand feet high to a narrow ledge on the rockface, according to UNESCO.

One of the most popular destinations on Mount Huashan is the Huashan Teahouse, a Buddhist and Daoist temple located atop the southernmost peak. To reach the temple, visitors have to climb up the "Heavenly Stairs," a long trail of stone steps carved right into the mountain that is so steep, one slip could cause hikers to tumble down them uncontrollably, according to Atlas Obscura.

4. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain

A tiny, rocky island on the coast of Biscay in Basque country, Spain is home to a historic hermitage called San Juan de Gazrelugatxe that has been a favorite pilgrimage for years. Although its true origins are shrouded in mystery, the Romanesque chapel is said to have been used as a fortress by the Templars in the 14th century , according to Fodors.

The islet, heavy eroded by the pounding waves below, and the chapel offer some of Spain's most spectacular views, but reaching it requires an intimidating hike. Visitors need to cross a narrow, stone bridge and walk 231 stone steps to the site, says the Bilbao Tourism website. Legend has it that visitors who have made the strenuous hike should ring the chapel bell three times to attract good luck and ward off evil spirits.

5. Pailon del Diablo, Ecuador

Located about 30 minutes from the town of Baños in Ecuador, the Pailon del Diablo ("Devil's Cauldron") waterfall is one of the country's top attractions. To reach the waterfall, visitors walk on a trail that first drops about 1,000 feet into the valley and then climbs the stairs and ladders until it ends inside the waterfall under a sheltered rock overhang, according to AFAR magazine.

The views from the waterfall—and the thundering sound of millions of gallons of water—are unforgettable but beware, the canyon steps can get slippery and dangerous.

6. Half Dome Cable Route, California

An icon of Yosemite National Park in Calif., Half Dome is a challenge to even the experienced hiker, rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level. Visitors who want to make the 14- to 16-mile round-trip hike to Half Dome need to be prepared and in shape, they will be gaining elevation (for a total of 4,800 feet) most of the way to the top of Half Dome, according to the National Park Service.

The most famous part of the hike up Half Dome is the ascent up the cables. The last 400 vertical feet up the eastern slope are so sheer that Yosemite staff have installed cables for climbers to cling to as they pull themselves up, according to YosemiteHikes.com. But even with the aid of steel cables bolted into the granite, the ascent can be dangerous, especially when rain causes the rock to become treacherously slick. At least five people have died on the cables since 2006, nearly all with rain as a factor, the Associated Press reported.

7. Statue of Liberty, New York

Visiting the crown of the Statue of Liberty is perhaps the highlight of a visit to New York City. However, there is no elevator service from Lady Liberty’s feet to her head, so visitors must climb up a double spiral staircase to reach the crown. And the climb to the crown can be strenuous. In fact, the National Park Service recommends that "crown visitors have no significant physical or mental conditions which would impair their ability to complete the climb."

Crown visitors climb 377 steps from the main lobby to the crown platform. It typically takes adults up to 20 minutes to make the climb , Mindi Rambo, a spokeswoman for the National Parks of New York Harbor told TODAY.com. At the top, only 10 adults can fit inside the crown. Want to take the challenge? Advanced reservations are required to access the crown.

8. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Cambodia's most popular tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the stunning remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire of the 9th to the 15th centuries , according to UNESCO. The most famous is the Temple of Angkor Wat, considered an architectural masterpiece. However, exploring the historic site is not a walk in the park. Until some recent changes, visitors who want to reach the upper temples needed to climb the historic south stone steps, stairs so steep that people are known to get on their hands and knees for safety.

Today, the climb is easier. A 47-step, almost 4ft-wide wooden staircase – complete with railings – was installed five years ago, according to the Phnom Penh Post.

9. Batu Caves, Malaysia

A Hindu shrine and major tourist attraction located near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Batu Caves are home to some of the most breathtaking natural caverns in the world. About 5,000 people visit the temple daily, people with an incredible amount of endurance. To reach the main cave where ornate Hindu shrines await, visitors need to climb a strenuous, steep flight of 272 steps , according to TIME.

The trek has its rewards, however. The Temple Cave, the largest of the Batu caves, is an awe-inspiring sight when illuminated by daylight through the openings on the roof, according to MalaysiaSite.nl. Visitors are also met by the long tailed-macaque monkeys that frequent the site.

10. Sagrada Familia, Spain

Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi's unfinished church, Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, is one of the world's most famous architectural wonders. From the outside, its towering facade is awe-inspiring, but it is just as outstanding from the inside. The Nativity Facade is particularly magnificent—and is considered the artistic pinnacle of the building. Mostly created under Gaudí’s personal supervision, some of its towers feature a combination of lifts and long, narrow spiral staircases that could be quite vertiginous, according to Lonely Planet. In fact, those with respiratory and cardiac problems are advised not to attempt to climb the winding stairs.

This article was originally published on October 2, 2014 and was updated on March 22, 2016.

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