For experienced hikers and thrill-seekers, there’s an undeniable attraction to trails that push the limits of human endurance and bravery.
These hikes aren’t just about scenic views, they’re about survival, preparation, and mental strength. If you consider yourself bold enough, here are 16 of the world’s most dangerous hikes that promise adventure at its most extreme.
1. Everest Base Camp – Nepal
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is one of the most iconic journeys in the world, sitting at over 17,500 feet above sea level. However, its beauty is matched by its risks.
Hikers must contend with freezing temperatures, avalanches, and the ever-present threat of acute mountain sickness.
The trail may not require technical climbing, but the high elevation and remote terrain make it unforgiving.
Evacuations by helicopter are possible, but expensive and not always timely. Those who attempt it must train thoroughly and acclimatize properly.
2. Drakensberg Grand Traverse – South Africa
Covering roughly 130 miles of rugged, mountainous terrain, the Drakensberg Grand Traverse is both remote and unmarked.
The hike typically takes over a week to complete and demands advanced navigation skills. The route includes crumbling chain ladders, steep ascents, and weather conditions that can shift in an instant.
There are no official campsites or facilities; everything you need, you carry on your back. Fatalities are not uncommon, with risks ranging from deadly falls to hypothermia and dehydration.
3. Kalalau Trail – Kauai, Hawaii, USA
The Kalalau Trail weaves along Hawaii’s Nā Pali Coast, a 22-mile round trip that is as stunning as it is perilous.
With its cliffs, narrow ledges, and flash flood-prone streams, it’s no wonder this trail has claimed more than 85 lives.
The “Crawler’s Ledge,” a thin path carved into a cliff with a sheer drop into the ocean below, is particularly notorious.
Despite these dangers, its remote beaches and jungle views draw thousands of hikers each year, many of whom underestimate the terrain and end up in distress.
4. Huayna Picchu – Peru
Overlooking the famous ruins of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu offers a panoramic view and a vertical challenge.
The trail is short but extremely steep, with slippery stone steps and minimal handrails. Morning fog often reduces visibility, adding to the risk. Ancient Incan steps carved into the mountain demand careful navigation.
While the hike is technically achievable in a couple of hours, one misstep could be fatal. Only 400 hikers are allowed per day, and even those must sign a waiver acknowledging the dangers.
5. The Maze – Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA
True to its name, The Maze is a complex network of sandstone canyons in Utah that’s nearly impossible to navigate without expert preparation. Getting lost is easy, and help is often days away.
Flash floods, sudden temperature changes, and wildlife encounters (like rattlesnakes and mountain lions) raise the stakes.
Fewer than 2,000 people attempt the hike annually due to its isolation. Those who do need topographic maps, GPS, survival gear, and a solid game plan for finding water in the desert heat.
6. El Caminito del Rey – Spain
Once dubbed “the most dangerous walkway in the world,” El Caminito del Rey was originally constructed to transport materials to hydroelectric plants.
Decades of neglect left its narrow pathways and suspended footbridges in disrepair, clinging to cliff walls over 300 feet above the river.
Though it underwent major renovations and reopened in 2015 with safety features, the original trail’s legacy remains.
For those seeking a taste of its infamous danger, parts of the route still offer vertigo-inducing views.
7. Mount Washington – New Hampshire, USA
While only 6,288 feet tall, Mount Washington has some of the most erratic and violent weather in the world.
The summit holds the record for one of the highest wind speeds ever recorded, 231 mph. Temperatures can drop suddenly, and blizzards are common even in spring.
Every year, hikers suffer from hypothermia, falls, or disorientation. It’s a harsh reminder that danger doesn’t always depend on elevation, it’s the elements that make the difference.
8. Aonach Eagach Ridge – Scotland
Located in the Scottish Highlands, this narrow ridge walk offers incredible views of Glencoe, but at a high cost.
The knife-edge path has drops on both sides and requires scrambling across exposed rock. Bad weather can roll in fast, making navigation hazardous and increasing the risk of deadly slips.
While not a technical climb, the hike demands confidence and careful footwork, especially since retreating once you begin is nearly impossible.
9. Half Dome – Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Half Dome’s signature feature is its 400-foot cable route that leads hikers up a nearly vertical granite face.
It’s a strenuous 14 to 16-mile round trip, and the final ascent often induces fear, even among seasoned adventurers.
Slippery rock, sudden storms, and overcrowding have led to multiple deaths over the years. A permit is required, and hikers are advised to turn back at the first sign of rain, as the cables become dangerously slick.
10. Mount Huashan – China
Mount Huashan’s “Plank Walk in the Sky” may be the most terrifying path in the world. Wooden planks bolted into the mountainside, often just a few feet wide, carry climbers thousands of feet above ground.
With minimal safety rails and sheer vertical drops, it’s a psychological challenge as much as a physical one.
Though harnesses are now required, many parts of the mountain are still treacherous. Despite the risks, Huashan is visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year.
11. Snowmen Trek – Bhutan
The Snowmen Trek is widely considered one of the most difficult treks in the world. Spanning over 200 miles through the Himalayas, it takes about 25 days to complete and crosses 11 high mountain passes.
Altitudes reach above 16,000 feet, and weather conditions are unpredictable. The trail is remote, with limited access to emergency support, making rescue operations extremely challenging. Only a few hundred people attempt it annually due to its demanding nature.
12. Paine Circuit – Torres del Paine, Chile
The Paine Circuit combines jaw-dropping scenery with brutal conditions. Located in Patagonia, the hike takes around 8-10 days to complete.
Strong winds, torrential rain, and freezing nights make it tough for even seasoned hikers. The trail passes through isolated valleys, glacial rivers, and steep mountain paths.
Those who complete it are rewarded with views of dramatic peaks and turquoise lakes, but they pay a high physical price.
13. Travis Peak Trail – Texas, USA
This lesser-known trail in Texas is deceptive. Though not located at high elevation, it’s hot, remote, and lightly maintained. Rattlesnakes, dehydration, and heat exhaustion are common issues.
Emergency services are far, and the cell signal is unreliable. It’s a good reminder that danger isn’t always about cliffs and snow; sometimes it’s about being prepared for intense heat and self-reliance in the wild.
14. Mount Roraima – Venezuela/Brazil/Guyana
Mount Roraima is a flat-topped mountain that inspired the setting for The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle.
The trail is a surreal experience through misty forests, unusual rock formations, and ancient geological features.
But don’t let the beauty fool you, constant rain makes the trail slippery, and the remote location poses serious rescue challenges. Indigenous guides are essential, and trekkers must respect the cultural significance of the site.
15. Chadar Trek – India
One of the most unique and dangerous winter hikes, the Chadar Trek follows the frozen Zanskar River in the Himalayas.
Temperatures plummet to -30°C (-22°F), and the ice sheet can crack unexpectedly, plunging hikers into icy water.
Avalanches and falling rocks from canyon walls add to the danger. The trek lasts about 8 days and is only accessible for a few weeks each year. Proper gear, physical fitness, and mental toughness are absolute musts.
16. Angel’s Landing – Zion National Park, Utah, USA
The final half-mile of Angel’s Landing is a nerve-wracking climb along a narrow ridge with 1,000-foot drops on either side.
Chains are bolted into the rock for safety, but many hikers still freeze or panic. Several deaths have occurred here, prompting park rangers to implement a permit system to manage crowds.
Despite the danger, the reward is a stunning panoramic view of Zion Canyon, making it a bucket-list item for many daredevils.
Alicia Richards