jampenc's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Flørli, Norway

Flørlitrappene

These 4,444 wooden steps straight up a mountain were built to serve a hydroelectric power station but these days, they're mostly used by hikers.
Longyearbyen, Norway

Svalbard Bryggeri

The world's northernmost brewery uses water from a 2,000-year-old glacier to create its beer.
Longyearbyen, Norway

Longyearbyen

In the northernmost city in the world, it's illegal to be buried because it’s too cold for bodies to decompose.
Svalbard, Norway

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

This Arctic storage facility is a secure backup for agricultural biodiversity.
Røst, Norway

Lofoten Islands

The convergence of two currents makes this a surprisingly pleasant getaway in the Arctic Circle.
Strand, Norway

Preikestolen

This "preacher's pulpit" once used for pagan ritual, is home to a new, and dangerous ritual.
Forsand, Norway

Kjeragbolten

This giant boulder is pinched over a 1000-meter abyss by two mountains.
Zurich, Switzerland

Findling vom Geissturm

This massive boulder was hurled into a Zurich church when a gunpowder depot was struck by lightning in 1652.
Sevelen, Switzerland

Alte Rheinbrücke (Old Rhine Bridge)

The oldest surviving wooden bridge over Rhine lets travelers cross easily from Switzerland to Liechtensten.
Vevey, Switzerland

La Fourchette (The Fork)

At 929 pounds and 26 feet tall, this stainless steel fork can only be used by the likes of King Kong.
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Schilthorn Piz Gloria

A cablecar-station-turned-revolving restaurant with 360-degree views of the Swiss skyline.
Lucerne, Switzerland

Dance of Death Bridge

This historic covered bridge contains a series of macabre paintings that communicate one thing: everyone dies.
Schwyz, Switzerland

Stoosbahn Funicular

The steepest classic funicular in the world glides along a dizzying incline.
St. Gallen, Switzerland

Abbey Library of Saint Gall

This is not only one of the oldest collections in Europe, but also possibly the most beautiful.
Neuheim, Switzerland

Höllgrotten Caves

These spooky and unusual stone formations create an underworldly landscape.
Gadmen, Switzerland

Trift Bridge

This amazing pedestrian suspension bridge in the Swiss Alps would give Indiana Jones nightmares.
Ennetbürgen, Switzerland

Hammetschwand Elevator

The tallest outdoor elevator in Europe rockets passengers on a dizzyingly precarious ride to the top of a mountain.
Wasserauen, Switzerland

Berggasthaus Aescher Wildkirchli

This 170-year-old Swiss guesthouse built into the side of a mountain is best accessed by a cable car.
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

Banff Wildlife Crossings

Though many were skeptical at first, these animal-specific routes across the Trans-Canada Highway have been a major conservation success.
Lloydminster, Alberta

Lloydminster

This Canadian city is actually two-in-one, even if they only respect the timezone of one side.
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

Elk Island National Park

Watch bison, elk, and other wild animals up close at this national park.
Calgary, Alberta

'Travelling Light'

A controversial blue hoop has been puzzling freeway drivers since 2013.
Edmonton, Alberta

High Level Bridge

This unique bridge has been a staple across the Saskatchewan River Valley for more than 100 years.
Drumheller, Alberta

Atlas Coal Mine

A seven-story wooden coal tipple stands this former mine, the last of many that once covered this area.