The highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, Beachy Head soars 534 feet above the English Channel. In the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, it is the cliff that the car falls off before taking flight. The seven sisters, another cliff range, can be see in the background.
(Photo: David Goddard/ Getty Images)
Étretat, Haute-Normandie, France
Located on the coast of the Pays de Caux, the cliffs at Étretat include three natural arches and the pointed needle. At its highest point, the cliff is 335 feet above sea level. It features prominently in Maurice Leblanc's novel The Hollow Needle.
(Photo: Jean-Erik Pasquier/ Getty Images)
Tajo Gorge, Andalusia, Spain
The 390-foot drop off El Tajo Gorge is quite a long way down from these historic white houses in the town of Ronda. Roman General Scipio Africanus, who defeated Hannibal and sacked Carthage in 202 BC, built the city on the gorge to serve as a military stronghold.
(Photo: Melinda Moore/ Getty Images)
Preikestolen, Rogaland, Norway
Preikestolen, the "Preachers Pulpit," was formed during the last ice age and stands 1982 feet above the Lysefjorden. It is only a 2.4-mile hike to the top of the cliff, making one of Norway's most popular tourist attractions very accessible.
(Photo: DaitoZen/ Flickr)
Trollveggen, Møre og Romsdal, Norway
Trollveggen, the "Troll Wall," is the tallest vertical rock face in Europe standing at 3,600 feet. At its steepest point, the summit overhangs the base of the wall by 160 feet. It is a popular site for base jumpers and master climbers.
(Photo: Vasile23/ Creative Commons)
Thor Peak, Nunavut, Canada
Better known as Mount Thor, after the Norse god of thunder, the peak stands at 5,495 feet. Featuring Earth's greatest vertical drop at 4,101 feet, it was the site for the world record longest rappel.
(Photo: Grant Dixon/ Getty Images)
Half Dome, Mariposa County, California
Half Dome is a granite dome that rises 4,747 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley. It is an 8.5-mile hike to reach the crest of the dome. Half Dome can be seen on California's state quarter as well as its new drivers licenses.
