ADVERTISEMENT

One thing that I firmly believe all human beings share is our inner yearning for adventure. We might try and satisfy this calling with good movies, awesome video games, or top-tier tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons (as a Dungeon Master of several years, I’m guilty of this). However, at the end of the day, there’s no real substitute for going out into the field with your own two feet and starting your very own adventure going into the abandoned and mysterious corners of the Earth.

There’s an awesome community on Reddit that documents gorgeous abandoned things and places. With nearly 1.2 million members, they post high-quality images that evoke all of our inner wanderlust. While we’d love to mention their name, our Social Media Overlords don’t take kindly to one of the words in the subreddit’s title, so a link right to their community will have to do! Go on and have a gander once you’re done with this list, they really are worth your attention.

Remember to upvote your fave pics as you scroll on down, dear Pandas! And be sure to let everyone know if you, just like me, get that burning desire to go on a real-life adventure after looking at these gorgeous photos.

#1

Found This Beautiful Tree Growing Inside An Abandoned Silo While I Was Exploring

Found This Beautiful Tree Growing Inside An Abandoned Silo While I Was Exploring

reddit.com Report

#2

I Lit Up This Spooky Abandoned House With My Drone And A Lume Cube Attached To It

I Lit Up This Spooky Abandoned House With My Drone And A Lume Cube Attached To It

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
brandivansteenwyk avatar
Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow!! That looks like a CG image. Serious photography skill and talent meets the perfect subject.

mollyloveswayne avatar
Molly Block
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, that is stunning!!!! Now I must go and look up "Lume Cube!" What a photo! It should win some awards!

flaviaslag avatar
Flavia Slag
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagination running wild! Such stories I could come up with.

chestnutridge163 avatar
Sharon Heim
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very wonderful effect with the soft illumination from above.

mairlady avatar
Mairlady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, I hope some day I can capture a photo just like that!

krois-pe-el avatar
Slune
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My imagination runs on fun speed! Thanks for the stellar shot.

belfastbells avatar
Natalie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is amazing photography!! Insanely awesome result!

erosa1224 avatar
Orionpax75
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Incredible image should be on the nat geo finals list good job!!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Railroad Tracks In Forest

Railroad Tracks In Forest

reddit.com Report

Taking beautiful photos of abandoned places means exploring abandoned places. That might sound obvious, but it sure isn’t easy.

Urban exploration (aka Urbex or UE) is a fascinating but difficult hobby to get into. While we’d just love to put on a pair of dirty old sneakers and rush off to a dungeon or some Elvish ruins, we really do have to consider our safety first and foremost. Precautions come first and foremost.

#4

Abandoned Castle In Ireland Country

Abandoned Castle In Ireland Country

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
martingibbs734 avatar
martin734
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is McDermott's castle in Lough Key, County Roscommon. There has been a castle on this island since the 12th century. The ruins you can see now were built between the 12th and 18th centuries. The castle was finally burned down and ruined during WWII.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Sintra, Portugal

Sintra, Portugal

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
carla_y_delgado avatar
Carla Delgado
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not really abandoned, that's the number one tourist attraction in Sintra. It's called Quinta da Regaleira, you just follow the masses and pay a ticket to get in.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Abandoned French Chapel

Abandoned French Chapel

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I keep saying... the age of minimalism we're part off right now is the worst in the history of architecture and design in general

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Wearing gloves, getting a pair of thick shoes, and bringing a dust mask are all a must. You should also invest in a torch, put on heavy clothing, and consider wearing a helmet. Whether fashionably medieval or something more modern, anything that covers your head is a must. And for you ghost-believing fans of the ‘Supernatural’ TV show, bring a pocketful of salt. Just in case you meet some spooks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Becoming an urban explorer means doing a bit of research, engaging with local Urbex communities a tad, and maybe even getting some basic gear to get you started before you go delving for doubloons and looking for magical artifacts beneath the rubble.

#8

Abandoned Stairway In The Woods: Madame Sherri Forest, Chesterfield, Nh

Abandoned Stairway In The Woods: Madame Sherri Forest, Chesterfield, Nh

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
gayak avatar
Gaya K
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of the Search and Rescue Officer stories on r/nosleep. Whatever you do, don't climb the stairs!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Found An Old Abandoned Diner While Driving Down Some Back Roads

Found An Old Abandoned Diner While Driving Down Some Back Roads

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
sjvmi87 avatar
David Retsler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How does this happen?? Do they just announce "we're closed! Everyone out!" and then just get up and leave?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Unlike a lot of hobbies that have a ‘just do it’ mindset, urban exploration demands that you prepare in advance so you don’t get hurt or, God forbid, get stuck or even killed.

One Urbex community in the UK that calls itself 28 Days Later (yes, just like the 2002 zombie movie) suggests doing research about the place you’re going to visit, then going in and taking some photos, getting your feet wet (metaphorically and maybe even literally). In their opinion, Urbex is all about joining a community.

#10

Abandoned Party Mansion Deep In The Maryland Forest

Abandoned Party Mansion Deep In The Maryland Forest

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a very beautiful skylight, someone save it before some kids break it for a tik tok

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Japanese WWII Warplane Lies Wrecked In Shallow Water Off Guam

Japanese WWII Warplane Lies Wrecked In Shallow Water Off Guam

reddit.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#12

Abandoned Gothic Church In Portugal

Abandoned Gothic Church In Portugal

reddit.com Report

Being part of the urban exploration community means engaging with others, going to public Urbex meetings, and even teaming up with strangers from the internet that you learn to trust. Of course, all of this has become even more difficult what with the global pandemic and lockdowns: you have to consider your health and the health of your loved ones before meeting up with anyone outside your social bubble.

#13

The Eerie Yellow Brick Road Of Abandoned "Land Of Oz" Theme Park In North Carolina

The Eerie Yellow Brick Road Of Abandoned "Land Of Oz" Theme Park In North Carolina

reddit.com Report

#15

SS City Of Adelaide, Wrecked Off The Coast Of Magnetic Island

SS City Of Adelaide, Wrecked Off The Coast Of Magnetic Island

reddit.com Report

On the flip side, having someone by your side while you’re walking about abandoned, ruined places is vital. Sure, you could go it alone, but there’s safety in numbers: if somebody gets hurt, falls down, or if the ceiling caves in, you can help each other out or rush for help.

#16

A Library Inside An Abandoned 19th Century Mansion

A Library Inside An Abandoned 19th Century Mansion

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
andreadevine avatar
Full of Giggles
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m genuinely surprised the bookshelves haven’t been looted. There has to be at least one or two worth value.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Turkey's $200 Million Ghost Town Of Castles - Burj Al Babas

Turkey's $200 Million Ghost Town Of Castles - Burj Al Babas

reddit.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#18

Light Rays Making Their Way Into An Abandoned Theater

Light Rays Making Their Way Into An Abandoned Theater

reddit.com Report

#19

Abandoned Presidents Heads In A Rural Virginia Field

Abandoned Presidents Heads In A Rural Virginia Field

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
linusnilsson avatar
Linus Nilsson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"here's all the giant presidental heads you ordered" "Yeah... That was actually a joke... But ok, put them out in the back yard"

View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Abandoned Asylum In Italy That Has Been Touched By Bob Ross

Abandoned Asylum In Italy That Has Been Touched By Bob Ross

reddit.com Report

So having someone you trust ‘watching your 6’ is something that you should take very, very seriously (while also staying safe because Covid-19 won’t be going away any time soon). Adventuring is about the friends we make along the way, not just brilliant photos and weird loot that we find in secret chambers.

#22

16 Mile Hike To An Abandoned Train Track Bridge In California

16 Mile Hike To An Abandoned Train Track Bridge In California

reddit.com Report

#24

Abandoned 50's Restaurant

Abandoned 50's Restaurant

reddit.com Report

Something that you should also consider is, well, even if a place is abandoned, it’s still somebody’s property. You might be trespassing. We’re definitely not telling you to trespass and break the law. However, if you feel that the call of adventure is too great to ignore, remember to be considerate and treat any buildings you visit like you would your own home: you’re just a visitor here for some photos and camaraderie.

ADVERTISEMENT
#25

1930s Era Abandoned Orient Express Train

1930s Era Abandoned Orient Express Train

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
deb-lucas avatar
Dilly Millandry
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not actually anything to do with the Orient Express. Would have been lovely still though. Actually 1930 Belgian Railways type 654 high speed diesel electric train inspired by the German "Fliegender Hamburger" Train."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

This Cave Full Of Old Cars

This Cave Full Of Old Cars

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
bryguy369 avatar
bryguy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is "The Cavern of Lost Souls" which was a busy mine but now sits abandoned, and people just dump garbage, old cars, freezers, etc into it, as humans do.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Abandoned Funeral Home

Abandoned Funeral Home

reddit.com Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#28

Ms World Discoverer Was A German Expedition Cruise Ship. It Hit A Uncharted Reef In The Sandfly Passage, Solomon Islands 29. April 2000

Ms World Discoverer Was A German Expedition Cruise Ship. It Hit A Uncharted Reef In The Sandfly Passage, Solomon Islands 29. April 2000

reddit.com Report

#29

House Abandoned And Retaken By The Desert In California

House Abandoned And Retaken By The Desert In California

reddit.com Report

#30

Popcorn Left In A Theater

Popcorn Left In A Theater

reddit.com Report

Note: this post originally had 89 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

So, dear Readers, which photos were your favorite ones? Have you ever delved into abandoned buildings before? Do you have any extra safety tips for all of us that you’d like to share? Got any exciting tales about your adventures and exploring abandoned places, whether in real-life or in tabletop games? Drop us a comment or two below and be part of the conversation.