Here is a detailed blog post about some of the world’s most dangerous hikes, drawing on the information from the sources you provided.
Even the most experienced trekkers sometimes avoid certain hikes, which can pose dangers from unfriendly wildlife to high altitude sickness and narrow footpaths.
This list, compiled by Fodor’s using their extensive team of writers and editors, highlights some of the most perilous trails on the planet. You might be happy you’re reading this from the comfort of your home or office.
1. Everest Base Camp
It may come as little surprise that Everest Base Camp is listed as the most dangerous trek in the world. Annually, between three and 15 people pass away while hiking this Himalayan trek.
While landing on many thrill seekers’ bucket lists, the actual hiking on Everest Base Camp is considered relatively easy.
The primary dangers stem from the duration of the trek and the lack of oxygen at the very high elevations encountered.
2. Drakensberg Grand Traverse
Ranked as the second most dangerous trek globally, the Drakensberg Grand Traverse is undeniably an extreme hike, regardless of skill level.
This remote, multi-day hike in South Africa has a dangerous history, with hikers becoming hyperthermic or falling from poorly-made chain ladders.
By 1985, the 130-mile trail had recorded 55 fatalities, and the government has reportedly stopped counting the number of deaths since then.
3. Kalalau Trail
Found in the US, the Kalalau Trail is known for its muddy, slippery paths. However, these aren’t the main reason it’s considered one of the deadliest hikes in the country.
According to an official signpost on the trail, the unpredictable riptide at the beach can sweep hikers away, a circumstance that has claimed over 85 lives.
There is also a challenging spot called “Crawler’s Ledge,” which has resulted in the deaths of unprepared hikers. Due to the dangers, Kauai now requires a permit to hike the 25-mile trail.
4. Corcovado National Park
The hike in Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park is deemed so treacherous that the Costa Rican government mandates that trekkers must be escorted by a trained guide.
Unlike some other trails on this list, the weather here is predictable, and there are no trails with extreme elevation.
The significant danger lies in mapless hikers becoming lost within the dense jungle brush. This jungle is crawling with lethal wildlife, including Pumas, crocodiles, jaguars, and more than four types of highly venomous snakes.
5. Devil’s Causeway
As the name suggests, this hike poses significant risks. Located at 11,500 feet elevation in Colorado, hikers on Devil’s Causeway must traverse through valleys and narrow paths that are dangerously close to the edge.
After approximately a 10-mile journey through Colorado’s landscapes, hikers reach a pencil-thin landbridge that is so intimidating, it might make even major thrill-seekers reconsider.
6. Huayna Picchu
Also known by the ominous nickname “Machu Picchu Stairs of Death,” the perils of the Huayna Picchu trek are clearly indicated. It is considered even deadlier than the grueling four-day hike across Peru’s Inca Trail.
The steep and slippery 2.5-mile summit hike results in countless injuries each year and has unfortunately claimed lives.
7. The Precipice
While the risky Precipice hike in Acadia National Park culminates in an unbeatable view of New England foliage, reaching that point is fraught with danger.
To complete The Precipice, hikers must engage in serious rock climbing, scaling three miles of steep mountain. There are occasional iron rungs provided for assistance.
However, a single slip or misstep means falling hundreds of feet below, as has tragically happened to many before. It is known as Maine’s most dangerous hiking trail.
8. Angel’s Landing
Fodor’s has reported that the death toll at Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park in Utah places it among the most dangerous hikes in America.
The primary hazard on this trail is overcrowding, where trekkers often find themselves shoulder-to-shoulder with people of varying experience levels on paths barely wide enough for one person.
While staring down into a deep chasm, hikers must navigate a thin, rocky path, with heavy chain rails offering limited reassurance.
9. Parvati Valley
Referred to by travelers as the “Valley of Death” and “India’s Bermuda Triangle,” Parvati Valley is inherently dangerous due to its long winding routes, unstable footing, sheer drop-offs, and unpredictable weather.
However, these nicknames also stem from more mysterious circumstances. In recent decades, over 30 visitors undertaking this hike have either vanished without a trace or passed away under strange circumstances.
10. The Mist Trail to Half Dome
Danger is also present at another popular American national park, Yosemite National Park, on The Mist Trail to Half Dome.
Completing this hike safely requires permits and clip-in cables. Over the past 15 years, 13 hikers have tragically fallen to their demise, and 290 accidents have been reported.
Adventurers must navigate slippery sections near Vernal Falls. This is followed by a demanding 18-mile hike with a 5,000-foot elevation gain.
With shaky legs, hikers then face the challenge of climbing ladder-like cables to the summit, which is frequently where disaster strikes.
11. Mount Huashan
In China, a Taoist priest reportedly nailed thin boards to Mount Huashan over 700 years ago to reach the summit.
Since then, several people have attempted to follow his path and failed. Estimates suggest that at least 100 hikers have plummeted from the mountain’s rickety platforms.
Although the hike is now equipped with new wooden platforms and clip-in harnesses, it still remains risky.
12. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail
Despite being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US, the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail has seen over 800 deaths.
This deceptive trail can be deadly even for seasoned hikers. Many hikers start by going downhill in the cooler morning hours, expending significant energy.
They then face the difficult task of climbing steep canyon switchbacks for 10 miles to exit the canyon. In the remote areas within the canyon, seeking help is not possible.
13. Mount Ijen
Located in Java, Indonesia, Mount Ijen is described by Fodor’s as possibly the most inhospitable landscape on Earth.
It features an active volcano and an electric blue-acid lake capable of melting metal and searing skin. This hike is not for the faint of heart.
Daring hikers must contend with putrid gas, volcanic ash, and twisting trails, requiring a gas mask. Many undertake the trek hoping to witness the cerulean flames that extend from the volcano into the night sky.
14. Death Valley National Park
Fittingly named, Death Valley National Park is packed with dangers. It is the hottest recorded place on earth, and even the shortest trails can induce heatstroke due to temperatures exceeding 120 degrees.
Poor cell service adds difficulty to navigation for those unfamiliar with the area. Making matters worse, three species of venomous snakes are scattered throughout the ravines.
15. El Caminito del Rey
Imagine hiking while clinging to a sheer cliffside on a rickety wooden plank trail, with a river far below.
El Caminito del Rey in Spain was once known as one of the world’s most dangerous hikes due to thrill seekers falling from the formerly rotten boards.
Authorities restored it for safety in 2015. Now, adrenaline junkies can still hike the trail, but wearing a helmet is mandatory.
16. Mount Washington Summit
Known as the most dangerous hike in New England, climbing Mount Washington Summit is potentially life-threatening.
It can be deceiving, as its elevation is only around 6,000 feet. However, over 180 fatalities have been recorded.
The main hazard is rapidly changing weather conditions that catch unsuspecting hikers off guard, transforming a 75-degree sunny start into below-freezing temperatures halfway through the trek.
Alicia Richards