Even the most experienced trekkers sometimes avoid certain hikes. From unfriendly wildlife to high altitude sickness and narrow footpaths, reading about these from the comfort of your home or office might be preferable.
Fodor’s, drawing on their extensive team of writers and editors, compiled a list of some of the most dangerous hikes on the planet.
Here are 16 treks that are known for their significant risks:
1. Everest Base Camp
It may not be surprising that Everest Base Camp is considered the most dangerous trek in the world. Between three and 15 people pass away each year hiking on this Himalayan trek.
While the hiking itself is described as relatively easy, it’s the duration of the trek and the lack of oxygen at high elevations that frequently cause problems for hikers.
2. Drakensberg Grand Traverse
Ranked as the second most dangerous trek globally, the Drakensberg Grand Traverse in South Africa is an undeniably extreme hike for any skill level.
This remote, multi-day hike has a dangerous history, with hikers sometimes becoming hyperthermic or falling from poorly-made chain ladders.
By 1985, the 130-mile trail had already seen 55 fatalities, and the government has reportedly stopped counting deaths since then.
3. Kalalau Trail
Located in the US, the Kalalau Trail involves trekking through muddy, slippery paths. However, the main dangers that make it one of the deadliest hikes in the US are the beach’s unpredictable riptide, which has claimed over 85 victims, and a specific spot called “Crawler’s Ledge,” which has also been fatal for unprepared hikers. Kauai now mandates a permit for this 25-mile trail.
4. Corcovado National Park
The hike in Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica is so treacherous that the government requires trekkers to be accompanied by a trained guide.
Unlike other trails on this list, the weather is predictable and there are no extreme elevations. The primary danger is when mapless hikers get lost in the dense jungle brush, which is teeming with lethal wildlife, including Pumas, crocodiles, jaguars, and over four types of highly venomous snakes.
5. Devil’s Causeway
Located at 11,500 feet elevation in Colorado, Devil’s Causeway involves traversing valleys and paths described as being “too close for comfort”.
After a roughly 10-mile journey, hikers reach a pencil-thin landbridge that is reportedly scary enough to deter major thrill-seekers.
6. Huayna Picchu
Often nicknamed the “Machu Picchu Stairs of Death,” the Huayna Picchu trek is considered even deadlier than the four-day Inca Trail. This steep and slippery 2.5-mile summit results in countless injuries yearly and has claimed lives.
7. The Precipice
The risky Precipice hike in Acadia National Park ends with an unbeatable view, but reaching it involves serious rock climbing.
Hikers scale three miles of steep mountain, sometimes using occasional iron rungs. One slip or misstep can lead to a fall of hundreds of feet, which has happened to many before. It is known as Maine’s most dangerous hiking trail.
8. Angel’s Landing
Fodor’s reported that the death toll at Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, Utah, places it among America’s most dangerous hikes.
The primary risk stems from overcrowding, with trekkers often shoulder-to-shoulder on narrow paths barely wide enough for one person.
Hikers must navigate a thin, rocky path with heavy chain rails that offer little security while staring into a deep chasm below.
9. The Mist Trail to Half Dome
Danger is also present at Yosemite National Park on The Mist Trail to Half Dome. This hike requires permits and clip-in cables for safety.
Over the past 15 years, 13 hikers have died, and 290 accidents have been reported. Adventurers can slip and slide through Vernal Falls.
After a grueling 18-mile hike with 5,000 feet of elevation gain, hikers must climb ladder-like cables to the summit, which is often where disasters occur.
10. Mount Huashan
Originally made accessible by a Taoist priest nailing thin boards over 700 years ago, Mount Huashan in China has a history of risk.
Estimates suggest at least 100 hikers have plummeted from its rickety platforms. While still risky, the hike now features new wooden platforms and requires clip-in harnesses.
11. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail
Despite being a popular tourist destination, over 800 people have died attempting the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim trail. It’s described as deceptive, with even seasoned hikers facing risk.
A common pitfall is starting downhill, expending energy in the cool morning, only to face a 10-mile climb up steep canyon switchbacks to exit. Asking for help is difficult in the remote recesses of the canyon.
12. Mount Ijen
Located in Java, Indonesia, Mount Ijen is described as perhaps the most inhospitable landscape on Earth. It features an active volcano and an electric blue-acid lake capable of melting metal and searing skin.
Hikers battle putrid gas, volcanic ash, and twisting trails, requiring a gas mask to attempt to see the cerulean flames at night. It is not for the faint of heart.
13. Death Valley National Park
As its name suggests, Death Valley National Park is full of dangers. It is the hottest recorded place on earth, with temperatures exceeding 120+ degrees, making even short trails risky for heatstroke.
Poor cell service makes navigation difficult, and the presence of three species of venomous snakes adds to the danger.
14. El Caminito del Rey
This hike in Spain involves clinging to a sheer cliffside while walking along a wooden plank trail high above a river. Historically, it was one of the world’s most dangerous hikes due to thrill-seekers falling from rotten boards.
Authorities restored it for safety in 2015, but adrenaline junkies still hike it, now required to wear a helmet.
15. Mount Washington Summit
Known as the most dangerous hike in New England, climbing Mount Washington Summit is potentially life-threatening despite being only about 6,000 feet in elevation.
Over 180 fatalities have been recorded. The danger often comes from rapidly changing weather, catching unsuspecting hikers who start in pleasant 75-degree conditions but encounter below-freezing temperatures halfway through.
16. Pacaya Volcano Hike
Located just outside of Guatemala City, the Pacaya Volcano trek is both mesmerizing and menacing. This active stratovolcano frequently emits lava, steam, and ash, making it a favorite for thrill-seekers who want a close encounter with Earth’s fiery core.
What makes this hike particularly dangerous is the unpredictable volcanic activity. Eruptions can occur with little warning, and the trails often lead hikers within close proximity to steaming vents and molten lava flows.
Alicia Richards