There’s something deeply thrilling about stepping onto a trail that few dare to walk. For seasoned adventurers, the following hikes represent the edge where raw natural beauty meets real physical risk.
These six trails around the world are known not only for their stunning landscapes but also for their high stakes. Proceed with caution… and maybe a helmet.
1. Cascade Saddle, New Zealand
Set in the stunning Mount Aspiring National Park, Cascade Saddle is a breathtaking but unforgiving hike.
It stretches over five miles and links the West Matukituki Valley to the Dart Valley. At first glance, it looks like a dream of alpine meadows, snow-capped mountains, and glacial rivers.
But the trail climbs steeply and becomes dangerously slick in wet weather, turning what looks like a peaceful route into a treacherous path.
It’s not a place for casual hikers only those with experience and the right gear should even consider it.
2. Mount Hua, China
Known in China as Huashan, Mount Hua is legendary for its dizzying danger. Often referred to as the most perilous hike in the world, it requires hikers to cross narrow wooden planks bolted to the mountainside, suspended more than 6,000 feet in the air.
The full trail spans nearly eight miles and takes around five hours to complete. With only a safety harness and chains to cling to in many places, one wrong step can be fatal.
It’s said that around 100 people have lost their lives attempting it. Despite this, it draws thrill-seekers year after year.
3. El Caminito del Rey, Spain
Nicknamed the “Walkway of Death,” El Caminito del Rey is a trail with a reputation that precedes it.
Located in the Málaga province of southern Spain, it winds along the steep walls of the El Chorro Gorge.
Although it’s only about two miles long, it has a long history of danger. Once a decaying and crumbling path with gaping holes, it has since been rebuilt but the thrill remains.
The path hangs over 300 feet above the river, and although the new safety features make it more secure, the idea of walking along a sheer cliff still gives many people pause.
4. The Mürren via Ferrata, Switzerland
High in the Swiss Alps, the Mürren via Ferrata offers jaw-dropping views—and a serious adrenaline rush.
Starting in the village of Mürren, the route clings to the cliffside with nothing but a cable and harness between you and a 2,000-foot drop into the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
The trail includes vertical ladders, tightropes, and even a walk across a swinging bridge. While the entire trek can be completed in a few hours, it’s a few hours of heart-pounding exposure to the elements. Even experienced hikers are advised to use two ropes and always stay clipped in.
5. Huayna Picchu, Peru
Rising dramatically above the ruins of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu looks like something straight out of an ancient legend.
And in a way, it is. The trail, built by the Inca over 500 years ago, follows a sharp ridge lined with steep, narrow stone steps.
These are known ominously as the “Stairs of Death.” At nearly 9,000 feet above sea level, there’s not much margin for error.
Many sections lack guardrails, and the path becomes slick after rain. Still, those who reach the top are rewarded with breathtaking views of the ancient citadel below and the Andes stretching into the clouds.
6. Half Dome, California
Located in Yosemite National Park, Half Dome is one of America’s most iconic and most dangerous hikes.
The round trip is a grueling 17 miles and includes everything from forest trails to rocky switchbacks and the famous cable section at the summit.
Here, hikers must pull themselves up a nearly vertical rock face using metal cables bolted into the granite.
Over the years, more than 60 people have lost their lives on the trail due to falls, dehydration, and lightning strikes.
Hikers need a permit to attempt the climb, and even then, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
Alicia Richards