Imagine places on our planet that are almost impossible to reach: distant islands lost in the ocean, tiny villages surrounded by water or mountains, and scientific stations located in the middle of the endless icy wastelands of Antarctica. These places exist, although few have seen them. But what makes them so inaccessible, and how do people survive in such conditions? In this article, we will go on a journey to the most inaccessible corners of the Earth, where nature dictates its own rules, and man is forced to get used to incredible conditions.
Gásadalur is a village located almost at the edge of the world. Image source: theatlantic.com
Contents
- 1 Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean
- 2 Gásadalur village in the Faroe Islands
- 3 McMurdo Station in Antarctica
- 4 House on the island of Elliðaey in Iceland
- 5 Ittoqqortoormiit in Greenland
Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean
The Kerguelen Archipelago is one of the most remote places on the planet, accessible only by sea, a journey that takes about six days. No flights fly to this remote place, making these islands a real attraction for the most daring travelers.
View of the Kerguelen Islands from space. Image source: wikimedia.org
The beauty of Kerguelen. Image source: pinterest.com
Kerguelen is one large island and about 300 small islands and rocks, located in the southern Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometers from Antarctica and 4,800 kilometers from Australia. The climate on the archipelago is harsh and windy – gusts of wind can reach speeds of 150 kilometers per hour, and sometimes 200 kilometers. The temperature rarely rises above +15 degrees, which makes a trip to Kerguelen a real challenge for adventurers.
Rare Kerguelen cabbage. Image source: wikipedia.org
Despite the harsh conditions, these islands are home to large colonies of penguins, seals, and rare plants such as Kerguelen cabbage. The islands are also interesting for their history: they were discovered in 1772 and have since been used for scientific research and whaling.
Penguins on the Kerguelen Islands. Image source: wikimedia.org
Gasadalur Village in the Faroe Islands
Gasadaluris a tiny village in the Faroe Islands that attracts travelers from all over the world with its untouched landscapes. For a long time, the only way to get here was on foot, having to cross a mountain pass and climb to an altitude of almost 400 meters. However, in 2004, the situation changed: a tunnel was dug in the rock, and now the village can be reached by car.
Gasadalur village seems like a magical place. Image source: dzen.ru
Tunnel leading to Gasadalur. Image source: viatravelers.com
Despite the beauty of this place, life here is not easy. In 2012, only 18 people lived in Gásadalur. Locals are engaged in fishing, but because of the steep cliffs, they have to keep their boats in a nearby village, which adds to their already difficult life. Regular fishing here can hardly feed the residents, and each trip to catch a catch turns into a real challenge.
Gásadalur from a bird's eye view. Image source: drive2.ru
Beautiful houses in Gasadalur. Image source: pinterest.com
However, Gasadalur has its advantages too – the village is located on fertile plateaus, which opens up opportunities for agriculture. With the tunnel, residents hoped that new settlers would start coming here, ready to appreciate the charm of life in such a unique and secluded place. However, even in 2024, this village made it onto our list, so it is easy to guess that few people still live there.
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McMurdo Station in Antarctica
McMurdo Station— is not just a scientific laboratory, it is a real stronghold of civilization, located in one of the harshest and most remote corners of the planet. This American Antarctic station is the largest settlement in Antarctica, where about 1,300 people permanently live. McMurdo serves as an important scientific and transport hub, providing research programs not only for the United States, but also for other countries.
View of McMurdo from above. Image source: gml.noaa.gov
The station is located on Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island, in the New Zealand Antarctic zone, just two kilometers from Scott Base. McMurdo is more than just a laboratory in the ice: it has greenhouses with vegetables, churches, and even television. The station once had a nuclear power plant, but it was closed due to numerous problems. Despite the extreme conditions, this place remains the center of life and science in Antarctica.
The Antarctic stations can only be reached by helicopter. Image source: nsf.gov
Read also: Is there Internet in Antarctica and the Arctic?
House on the island of Ellidaey in Iceland
You've probably already heard about the most secluded house in the world.
On the small island of Elliðaey in Iceland, a lonely white house stands, attracting tourists from all over the world. Surrounded by almost untouched nature, it gives a sense of serenity and privacy. This house, built in 1953 by the local hunting association, was created to serve as a shelter for tourists and hunters.
A lonely house on the island of Ellidaey. Image source: travelask.ru
The island of Ellidaey was not always so deserted. In the 18th and 19th centuries, several families lived here, engaged in fishing and hunting. However, by the 1930s, the island was deserted, and only a few decades later this famous house appeared. Inside, there is no electricity or running water – only a sauna and rainwater collected especially for the inhabitants.
There are many rumors about this house. Image source: priroda.club
The house on Ellidaey has become the source of many rumors and legends. Some say it was built by a billionaire in anticipation of a zombie apocalypse, while others believe that the singer Bjork once lived here. Given all this, many travelers want to get to this place. But it is very difficult to do so, because you will have to find a boat or a helicopter.
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The city of Ittoqqortoormiit in Greenland
Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the most remote cities in eastern Greenland, accessible only by helicopter or ship, and the population is only 450 people.
View of the town of Ittoqqortoormiit. Image source: ankaramasasi.com
Wooden houses painted in bright colors seem to be lost among the pinkish-gray rocks, creating an atmosphere of complete solitude. The town was founded in 1925 by the Danish polar explorer Einar Mikkelsen and since then remains the only settlement on this harsh coast.
Colourful houses in a tiny town in Greenland. Image source: national-travel.ru
The surrounding nature here is wild: polar bears, walruses and reindeer create a unique atmosphere. People survive thanks to fishing and hunting, and the icy expanses serve as unique roads for travel by dog sleds and snowmobiles.
Ittoqqortoormiit during the warm season. Image source: wikipedia.org
Ittoqqortoormiit is also known as one of the best places to observe the Northern Lights. Here, far from civilization, this natural phenomenon seems especially magical, attracting tourists willing to overcome a difficult path for the sake of breathtaking views.
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Traveling to remote corners of the planet opens new horizons in understanding the beauty and power of nature. However, not all corners of the Earth are equally safe and delightful. There are places where nature keeps a terrible secret – radiation. Do you want to know where the most dangerous radioactive zones on the planet are located and what makes them so? Then read our material on this topic!