The world is full of spectacular hikes, offering sweeping views, intimate wildlife encounters, and transformative experiences. But some trails push far beyond the realm of adventure into outright danger.
From dizzying altitudes to volatile weather and deadly terrain, these 16 treacherous trails are reserved for only the boldest adventurers. Strap on your boots if you dare.
1. Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Perched high in the Himalayas, Everest Base Camp is an iconic trek that tempts thousands each year.
Although technically manageable for many fitness levels, the danger lies in its elevation over 17,000 feet. With oxygen levels dangerously low, trekkers often face altitude sickness.
Tragically, between three to fifteen hikers die annually. The extreme environment is no joke, even seasoned mountaineers proceed with caution.
2. Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa
Remote and unforgiving, the Drakensberg Grand Traverse spans 130 miles across South Africa’s rugged mountains.
The trail is infamous for poorly maintained chain ladders, freezing nighttime temperatures, and dizzying heights.
By 1985, at least 55 fatalities were recorded, after which authorities stopped keeping count. Without a guide, even the most experienced hiker could be in grave danger.
3. Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, USA
Kauai’s Kalalau Trail is a tropical dream turned nightmare. Stretching 25 miles along the Nā Pali Coast, the trail’s narrow ledges, steep drop-offs, and slippery mud paths challenge hikers at every step.
Yet it’s the ocean that presents the most significant threat; unexpected riptides at Kalalau Beach have claimed more than 85 lives. Permits are now required to access this deceptively beautiful trail.
4. Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
A hike through Corcovado is like entering a survival reality show. Trekkers must be accompanied by certified guides to navigate the dense rainforest, which is teeming with pumas, crocodiles, jaguars, and four species of venomous snakes.
There’s no dramatic elevation or freezing temperatures just the constant threat of losing your way in a jungle alive with danger.
5. Devil’s Causeway, Colorado, USA
At 11,500 feet, Colorado’s Devil’s Causeway is not for the faint of heart. This thin landbridge offers heart-stopping views and even more nerve-wracking footing.
With sheer drops on both sides and a path that narrows to a few feet wide, even confident hikers find themselves turning back. One misstep can mean a fatal fall into the valleys below.
6. Huayna Picchu, Peru
Nicknamed the “Machu Picchu Stairs of Death,” Huayna Picchu overshadows even the famous Inca Trail in terms of danger.
This steep, narrow climb snakes up behind Machu Picchu and includes slick stone steps and tight switchbacks.
Countless injuries occur annually, and the trail has claimed lives making it a serious challenge for those chasing that iconic mountaintop photo.
7. The Precipice Trail, Maine, USA
Maine’s most dangerous hike, The Precipice Trail in Acadia National Park, is more like a vertical rock climb than a trail.
Spanning about three miles, the route demands that hikers scale cliff faces using iron rungs and foot pegs.
One slip, and it’s a long fall to the rocky forest floor. The payoff? Sweeping views of the Atlantic coast if you survive the climb.
8. Angel’s Landing, Utah, USA
Zion National Park’s Angel’s Landing draws thousands each year with promises of epic views. But the trail’s biggest danger is its popularity. Crowds pack the narrow ridgeline, leaving little room for error.
With steep cliffs on either side and minimal safety features beyond a chain rail, over a dozen deaths have been reported. It’s an adventure of high reward and high risk.
9. Parvati Valley, India
Known ominously as “India’s Bermuda Triangle,” Parvati Valley has a reputation for mystery and tragedy.
With unpredictable weather, unstable terrain, and towering cliffs, more than 30 hikers have disappeared or died here in recent decades.
It’s a spiritual destination for many, but it demands absolute respect from all who enter its paths.
10. Mist Trail to Half Dome, California, USA
Yosemite’s Mist Trail to Half Dome is both iconic and intimidating. This grueling 18-mile round trip hike gains 5,000 feet in elevation and includes slippery steps through Vernal Falls and steep granite climbs using cable assists.
Since 2005, at least 13 hikers have died, and nearly 300 accidents have been reported. A permit system helps limit the crowds but not the danger.
11. Mount Huashan, China
Mount Huashan may have the most dramatic visuals on this list. Originally scaled by a Taoist priest over 700 years ago using nailed wooden planks, the mountain now features narrow walkways bolted into sheer cliff faces.
While modern safety harnesses are required, the “Plank Walk” still inspires terror and not without reason. Over 100 lives have been lost here.
12. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail, Arizona, USA
The Grand Canyon’s majestic views hide a deadly truth: over 800 people have died here, with many fatalities happening along the Rim-to-Rim Trail.
It lulls hikers into a false sense of security as they descend in the cool morning, only to face brutal uphill climbs in afternoon heat.
Remote conditions and limited cell service mean help is far away when things go wrong.
13. Mount Ijen, Indonesia
Java’s Mount Ijen isn’t just a hike it’s a battle with Earth’s raw power. This volcano houses an eerie electric-blue acid lake and emits noxious gases.
Trekkers must wear gas masks to cope with the sulfur fumes as they navigate steep, shifting paths. One misstep near the crater could lead to chemical burns or worse.
14. Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Death Valley lives up to its name. The hottest place on Earth often sees temperatures exceeding 120°F.
Even short hikes can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, or worse. Add in venomous snakes, limited cell reception, and rugged terrain, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Preparation and caution are essential in this unforgiving landscape.
15. El Caminito del Rey, Spain
Once dubbed “the world’s most dangerous walkway,” El Caminito del Rey is a narrow path that hugs the cliffs above Spain’s Guadalhorce River.
Though restored in 2015 with safety upgrades and required helmets, the trail remains daunting.
Windy conditions and exposed planks keep the adrenaline pumping, making this a favorite among daring thrill seekers.
16. Mount Washington Summit, New Hampshire, USA
Standing just over 6,000 feet, Mount Washington seems like a tame challenge but that’s a deadly misconception.
Known for some of the world’s most volatile weather, the mountain can go from sunshine to snowstorms in a matter of hours.
Over 180 people have died here, often caught off guard by plunging temperatures and gale-force winds.
Alicia Richards