10 of the Most Dangerous Hikes in the World
Hiking pushes you to your limits. If you are an experienced hiker and love the trill, these dangerous hikes will give you an adrenaline rush with extreme heights, narrow rocky and steep paths. Some have even claimed lives, so watch your step as your next may be your last.
Here we’re going to share the 10 most dangerous mountains to climb. You’ll soon see why these are not for the faint-hearted.
1. Aonach Eagach Ridge, Scotland
Located in the Scottish Highlands, this six-mile trail of Aonach Eagach is not for everyone. It has a knife-edge ridge and an extremely rough path. Getting to the summit requires serious hard work and great stamina. When you get to the top the views are breathtaking. Before you take on this dangerous hike, make sure that you check the weather as you don’t want sharp winds or rain while dealing with this trail’s sharp edges!
2. Stairway to Heaven, Hawaii
Also known as the Haiku Stairs in Oahu, the Stairway to Heaven is possibly the greatest attraction in Hawaii. As the name states, this dangerous hike consists of 3,922 metal stairs that lead up the mountain range. The mountain range is almost at a vertical incline with only a handrail to catch you falling into the valley below. This extreme hike is a thrilling 4,000ft long climb along an 18-inch-wide staircase reaching heights above 2,000ft.
It was originally built in 1942 to be a top-secret facility for the U.S. Navy to transmit radio signals to ships sailing in the Pacific Ocean. Later the stairs were opened to the public, however, in 1987 they closed as it was deemed unsafe and become illegal to climb. It has been closed ever since due to the stairs not being repaired. But this hasn’t stopped hikers, locals, and tourists from sneaking past guards and experiencing this amazing climb.
3. Mount Hua Shan, China
Mount Hua Shan is considered the most dangerous hike in the world. If you are afraid of heights, we suggest skipping this hike as it is known for its ‘plank walk in the sky’. Mount Hua Shan was originally meant for pilgrims going to the temples, but this hike is now popular among tourists all over the world for the dangerous and narrow path.
To start, hikers must climb a steep vertical staircase with only rusty chains for support, then you reach wooden planks attached to the mountain that you must maneuver across. It takes some serious strength and good balance. At the end of the route you are rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding mountains- it's definitely worth the struggle.
4. Angels Landing, Utah
Angels Landing, located inside Zion National Park in Utah, is dangerous but exciting. Being 2.5 miles long, most of this hike is easy to manage and navigate, starting with taking in the beautiful million-year-old layers of rock formations. However, the last half mile is what makes this hike frightening. The end of the trail consists of narrow and steep ridges to climb that have drop-offs on both sides. It is adrenaline-inducing but pushing forward will reward you with breathtaking picturesque views.
5. Huayna Picchu, Peru
Huayna Picchu, often called the ‘Hike of Death’ is easily one of the most extreme hikes as it claims a few lives every year. This trail is not for the faint-hearted as it is made up of granite stairs rapidly ascending 305 metres high. Hikers are advised to have proper footwear and equipment, as this upwards steep height without them makes this mountain treacherous.
As well, part of the trail is crumbling away so make sure you have steady feet. The stairs get extremely slippery when wet so authorities tend to close this trail every year when the rainy season comes for safety reasons. Although life-threatening, this hike is popular with tourists as it leads up from the famous Inca site Machu Picchu.
6. El Caminito Del Rey, Spain
Also known as the ‘The King’s Path’, this is the most intense hike in Spain. This 2-mile trail was built over a century ago to create a route that hangs above the ground at 100 metres to a hydroelectric plant. The path consists of narrow wooden paths across limestone cliffs. In 2001 after 5 people died after falling into the river below, El Caminto Del Rey was closed for renovation. Now, fences have been added onto the path, it reopened in 2015. Whilst this route is intimidating, the views of the river and scenic valleys make this hike worth it.
7. Cascade Saddle, New Zealand
This 11-mile trek is a popular hiking trail in New Zealand and among film lovers and tourists, giving glorious views seen in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ film series. Taking almost 2 days to complete, it has slippery and unstable grounds. The environment only gets worse when wet so check the weather before you go. Locals have said that Cascade Saddle trail has had “far too many deaths”.
8. Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa
Also considered one of the most dangerous mountains to climb, Drakensberg Traverse is a daunting 40-mile trek inside Natal National Park. The beginning is terrifying as it starts by climbing two chain ladders to reach the trailhead. Stunning views, but deadly, before 1985 about 55 people died here. Since then numbers have not been counted.
Nevertheless, here you will experience true wilderness, encountering animal tracks, rock scrambles, and at a height of above 3,000m along the mountain. Just watch your step as one wrong move could cost you your life.
9. GR 20, Corsica
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You will need formidable bravery, considering the shire distance and the rocky terrain and granite peaks. Although exhausting, this 2-week trek offers some beautiful views. Taking you through towering rock pinnacles, forests, windswept craters, glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks, and coastlines. It's one of the most rewarding in terms of views and how much nature you get to see.
10. Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea
Also called the Kokoda Trail Campaign, this single-file foot trail runs 96km through Owen Stanley Range and will take 11 days to complete. It consists of treacherous terrain but also serves an important part of history. It was the site of one of the most important and bloodiest battles for Australian troops in the Second World War. Here, Australian troops fought for 4 months against the Japanese invasion forces and pushed them back across the mountains. Kokoda Track holds a story full of endurance and sacrifice, with more than 600 men dead and over 1,000 injured. With dense jungle paths, steep and treacherous inclines, deep valleys, and incredible physical and mental challenges it takes dedication just as it did in World War II.
Tips for Tackling Extreme Hikes
These extreme hikes are not for the faint-hearted or novice hikers, you will need to train and prepare. Here are some tips for tackling these dangerous hikes:
- Research the trail: Make sure that you know exactly what terrain you will be dealing with and what dangers may lie ahead, knowing these will help to prepare you for what is coming.
- Check the weather: Some terrain can become extremely dangerous when wet or windy.
- Prepare mentally and physically: Because these are extreme conditions it will be good for you to train ahead of time to get you prepared for anything, think of it as training for a marathon essentially.
- Pack the right gear: Whether this is the right shoes, clothes, water, food, or first aid, make sure you have everything to keep you prepared. To view the full list of essential hiking equipment, read our guide on What you Should Wear When You Go Hiking.
- Pace yourself: Taking your time on these extreme hikes is important, do not overdo yourself and take frequent breaks.
- Leave no trace: When hiking anywhere there is a rule to respect the outdoors and make sure you leave no trace behind, because in these extreme conditions you may be resting more than normal, so just be mindful of this.
Most importantly have fun and be safe, the breathtaking views are worth the danger if you are up for it. To learn more about hikes and climbing essentials, visit our guides hub and blog!