10 Of The World’s Most Dangerous Hiking Trails

Everybody loves taking a nice walk through the forest or the beach. Some of us take this one step further and go on hiking trails to test our physical limits. The thrill of a dangerous hike gets the adrenaline flowing and the blood pumping. There are some hikes where if you miss a step, you might even plunge down and end up with a serious injury. Some of them make us want to give up halfway but when we push ourselves through and reach the top.

Here are 10 hiking trails across the world which are not for the faint-hearted and should not be attempted by novice hikers.

El Caminito Del Rey, Spain

Translating to ‘The King’s Path’, this is one of the most extreme hikes in Spain. Built more than a century ago to create a route to a hydroelectric plant, the two-mile trail hangs above the ground at 100 metres. Narrow wooden paths take hikers across limestone cliffs. The path was closed to hikers in 2001 after five people fell to their death into the river below. After renovation, whereby fences were added to the path, El Caminito Del Rey reopened in 2015 and is now considerably safer than before, offering views of blue rivers and scenic valleys.

The Maze, USA

A hiker stands on the edge of a cliff, enjoying a dramatic overlook of the Canyonlands National Park Shutterstock

A part of the Canyonlands National Park in Utah, the Maze is very tricky to navigate as the entire region is a labyrinth of dead ends. Hikers have to be rescued on a regular basis here. The interconnecting canyons and narrow passageways are very easy to get lost in. Though it makes up for an incredible experience, the sheer remoteness of the Maze confuses even experienced hikers. Moreover, water sources are hard to find. A map and a compass go a long way in locating springs with potable water. Only about 2,000 people go on this trail every year which gives an idea of how remote it is.

Mount Huashan, China

The mighty Mount Huashan`s plank walk in Shanxi province Shutterstock

Many consider this the most dangerous hike in the world. Originally meant for pilgrims going to the temples at the top, the hiking trail on Mount Huashan is now visited by tourists from all over the world for its ‘plank walk in the sky.’ If you are afraid of heights, we suggest skipping this hike as it meanders its way through narrow wooden planks attached to the mountain. To reach the planks, hikers have to scale a steep vertical staircase dug into the rocks with only rusty chains for support. In some parts, the wooden planks disappear with only foot supports carved into the rocks which require careful manoeuvring. The view at the end of the route is stunning with panoramic scenery of the surrounding mountains.

Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa

The Drakensberg Grand Traverse hike is spectacular and has been named one of the hardest in the world Shutterstock

The most daunting part of this 40-mile trek inside Natal National Park is the beginning. You’ll have to climb two chain ladders to reach the trailhead which is a route well known for the stunning views on offer. Reportedly about 55 people died at the Drakensberg Traverse before 1985 after which the numbers were no longer counted. You can imagine the danger one might come across on this trail as one encounter animal tracks and rock scrambles that make up the hike. But the views more than make up for one of the most dangerous trails in the world.

Cascade Saddle, New Zealand

A traveller at the edge of a cliff at Cascade Saddle Shutterstock

Hiking is one of the top activities to do in New Zealand and Cascade Saddle is a popular hiking trail in the country. The 11-mile trek takes almost two days to cover offering hikers some of the glorious views seen in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ film series. The dangerous part of the trail is the ground which is slippery and unstable, particularly when it is raining. Several hikers have suffered injuries, and some have even died. A local coroner once said that there have been “far too many deaths” on the Cascade Saddle trail. The stunning alpine views do not help either as hikers can get distracted.

Kalalau Trail, Hawaii

Overlooking the Kalalau Valley on the east side of the island of Kauai, Hawaii Shutterstock

This 22-mile coastal trail in Kalalau, Hawaii, will take you to one of the best beaches in the world. As you make your way through dense jungles watch out for the slippery waterfalls and stream crossings which have taken lives in the past. Frequent rainfall makes this path even more treacherous and one wrong move can send you sliding over the edge of a rocky cliff after which even if you do not die you are most likely to be severely injured. If you plan on taking this hike, make sure that the right weather conditions prevail.

Angels Landing, USA

Angels Landing at Zion National Park with Navajo Sandstone Mountains and cliffs Shutterstock

Located inside Zion National Park in Utah, most of the 2.5-mile trail is quite easily navigable but the final half mile is what makes Angels Landing one of the most dangerous trails in the world. As you start off, you will notice the million years old layers of rock formations. The final half mile consists of walking a narrow and steep ridge that has dangerous drop-offs on both sides. Chains and guardrails attached to the cliff are all that stand between the steep edge and you. Even with these safety precautions in place, the path is frightening, but if you can push forward all the way, you will be rewarded with some of the most picturesque views imaginable.

Huayna Picchu, Peru

Often termed as the ‘Hike of Death’, this trail in Peru claims a few lives each year. Leading up from the famous Inca site Machu Picchu, the trail is made up of granite stairs rapidly gaining an ascent of 305 metres. Lack of proper footwear and equipment along with the fact that a part of the trail is crumbling away makes the hike a treacherous one.

The stairs can get extremely slippery when wet Shutterstock

Aonach Eagach, Scotland

The mist comes in on the ridge of Aonach Eagach in the Scottish Highlands Shutterstock

The six-mile trail of Aonach Eagach in the Scottish Highlands is not for everybody. The knife-edge ridge is so thin that once you start your hike you cannot get back down without putting your life in jeopardy. The path is extremely rough and getting to the summit requires endurance and hard work along with some serious climbing chops. Attempt this only during good weather conditions as you do not want to be battling sharp winds while trailing on a knife-edge ridge. The views at the top will blow your mind.

Half Dome, USA

The Half Dome at sunset Shutterstock

The tough 16-mile trail of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park will take you through some stunning views such as the Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls and Yosemite Valley. Although people have lost their lives on the trail, hundreds of hikers climb it on a busy day. To reach the summit, you will have to climb steel cables which have been attached for assisting hikers up the rock wall. The cables get quite slippery during rain, and this coupled with frequent lightning strikes, makes Half Dome a nightmare to climb. This hike should not be attempted unless you are physically very fit and agile.