If you’ve flown through Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, chances are you’re still emotionally recovering, and possibly looking to enlist at Basgiath War College yourself. The fantasy world of Fourth Wing is rich with high-stakes drama, soaring dragons, deadly trials, and a brutal yet awe-inspiring landscape. And while we can’t all bond with a dragon or channel lightning in battle, you can experience places that evoke the same energy, scale, and intensity.
Here’s how to turn your wanderlust into a Fourth Wing-inspired adventure with real-world destinations that channel the grit, grandeur, and adrenaline of Violet Sorrengail’s journey.
Basgiath War College – Mont-Saint-Michel, France
Built into a fortress-like mountain and only accessible by a treacherous path? Sounds familiar. Mont-Saint-Michel rises out of the sea in Normandy like it was made for dragon riders. This medieval abbey with narrow, winding steps and views across vast tides offers the perfect real-world stand-in for Basgiath. You can easily picture Violet darting between towers or sparring with Xaden on a foggy rampart.
The Gauntlet – Via Ferrata, Dolomites, Italy
One of the most nerve-wracking parts of Fourth Wing is The Gauntlet, a deadly obstacle course that tests first-years’ physical and mental strength. Want to simulate the thrill (without the actual threat of death)? Try climbing a via ferrata route in the Dolomites. These protected climbing paths include ladders, bridges, and cables bolted into cliff faces. It’s as close as you’ll get to scaling a ridge like a future rider.
Photo by Ronny Siegel
Rider’s Quadrant – Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
The Rider’s Quadrant is both home and battlefield training ground for Violet and her classmates. It’s majestic, deadly, and steeped in legacy. Neuschwanstein Castle, tucked into the Bavarian Alps, gives off the same fairy-tale-meets-military-academy vibe. Perched high in the mountains with stone towers and misty valleys, it’s the perfect place to imagine dragons circling above the turrets.
Photo by Pixabay
The Barrens – Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan
Scorched earth. Brutal terrain. Unforgiving sun. The Barrens are where the unprepared go to die, and where Violet’s training hits its most intense. Channel that harsh beauty in Wadi Rum, a red-sand desert in Jordan with surreal rock formations and dramatic cliffs. It’s quiet, otherworldly, and absolutely merciless, just like the world beyond the wards.
Photo by Eva Lacroix
Storm Flight – Patagonia, Argentina
When Violet finally bonds with Tairn and learns to ride, she faces the raw power of flight. For the closest thing to that overwhelming freedom and force, head to Patagonia. Think wind-whipped peaks, electric storms, and glacier-fed lakes. Go paragliding over the mountains or hike to the top of Fitz Roy to feel small in the best way, like you’re riding through the skies with your bonded dragon at your side.
Photo by Marek Piwnicki
War Games Training Grounds – Iceland’s Highlands
The battlegrounds in Fourth Wing are vast, treacherous, and shaped by elemental magic. Iceland’s highlands, specifically around Landmannalaugar, look like they’ve already been scorched by dragonfire. Black lava fields, steaming vents, and emerald moss create a landscape that feels mythic and alive. You could easily imagine Andarna zipping through the clouds above while sparring partners clash on the volcanic ground.
Photo by Marek Piwnicki
How to Travel Like a Rider
If you want to feel like you’re walking in Violet’s boots (preferably not with a broken ankle or busted knee), here are a few fun extras to make your Fourth Wing-themed trip more immersive:
Wear combat boots: Practical, cool, and entirely Basgiath-approved.
Bring the book with you: Read key chapters while perched on a clifftop or by a stormy coast.
Document the journey: Create a travel diary that mixes real moments with imagined scenes from the book.
Add a little dragon energy: Travel with a dragon-inspired charm, necklace, or patch. Bonus points if you name your suitcase “Tairn.”
Fourth Wing iis a full-body experience of danger, desire, loyalty, and flight. And while we may never truly walk the parapet or bond with a dragon, we can visit places that evoke the same awe and intensity. Whether you’re drawn to stormy peaks or sandstone deserts, there’s a part of Violet’s world waiting for you to explore. So pack your gear, steel your nerves, and remember: “Fly or die.”
If you’ve flown through Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, chances are you’re still emotionally recovering, and possibly looking to enlist at Basgiath War College yourself. The fantasy world of Fourth Wing is rich with high-stakes drama, soaring dragons, deadly trials, and a brutal yet awe-inspiring landscape. And while we can’t all bond with a dragon or channel lightning in battle, you can experience places that evoke the same energy, scale, and intensity.
Here’s how to turn your wanderlust into a Fourth Wing-inspired adventure with real-world destinations that channel the grit, grandeur, and adrenaline of Violet Sorrengail’s journey.
Basgiath War College – Mont-Saint-Michel, France
Built into a fortress-like mountain and only accessible by a treacherous path? Sounds familiar. Mont-Saint-Michel rises out of the sea in Normandy like it was made for dragon riders. This medieval abbey with narrow, winding steps and views across vast tides offers the perfect real-world stand-in for Basgiath. You can easily picture Violet darting between towers or sparring with Xaden on a foggy rampart.
The Gauntlet – Via Ferrata, Dolomites, Italy
One of the most nerve-wracking parts of Fourth Wing is The Gauntlet, a deadly obstacle course that tests first-years’ physical and mental strength. Want to simulate the thrill (without the actual threat of death)? Try climbing a via ferrata route in the Dolomites. These protected climbing paths include ladders, bridges, and cables bolted into cliff faces. It’s as close as you’ll get to scaling a ridge like a future rider.
Rider’s Quadrant – Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
The Rider’s Quadrant is both home and battlefield training ground for Violet and her classmates. It’s majestic, deadly, and steeped in legacy. Neuschwanstein Castle, tucked into the Bavarian Alps, gives off the same fairy-tale-meets-military-academy vibe. Perched high in the mountains with stone towers and misty valleys, it’s the perfect place to imagine dragons circling above the turrets.
The Barrens – Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan
Scorched earth. Brutal terrain. Unforgiving sun. The Barrens are where the unprepared go to die, and where Violet’s training hits its most intense. Channel that harsh beauty in Wadi Rum, a red-sand desert in Jordan with surreal rock formations and dramatic cliffs. It’s quiet, otherworldly, and absolutely merciless, just like the world beyond the wards.
Storm Flight – Patagonia, Argentina
When Violet finally bonds with Tairn and learns to ride, she faces the raw power of flight. For the closest thing to that overwhelming freedom and force, head to Patagonia. Think wind-whipped peaks, electric storms, and glacier-fed lakes. Go paragliding over the mountains or hike to the top of Fitz Roy to feel small in the best way, like you’re riding through the skies with your bonded dragon at your side.
War Games Training Grounds – Iceland’s Highlands
The battlegrounds in Fourth Wing are vast, treacherous, and shaped by elemental magic. Iceland’s highlands, specifically around Landmannalaugar, look like they’ve already been scorched by dragonfire. Black lava fields, steaming vents, and emerald moss create a landscape that feels mythic and alive. You could easily imagine Andarna zipping through the clouds above while sparring partners clash on the volcanic ground.
How to Travel Like a Rider
If you want to feel like you’re walking in Violet’s boots (preferably not with a broken ankle or busted knee), here are a few fun extras to make your Fourth Wing-themed trip more immersive:
Fourth Wing iis a full-body experience of danger, desire, loyalty, and flight. And while we may never truly walk the parapet or bond with a dragon, we can visit places that evoke the same awe and intensity. Whether you’re drawn to stormy peaks or sandstone deserts, there’s a part of Violet’s world waiting for you to explore. So pack your gear, steel your nerves, and remember: “Fly or die.”
Share this:
Like this: