Looking for the most dangerous hikes in the world? These treacherous trails aren’t just for thrill-seekers, they’re survival tests that even experienced hikers approach with extreme caution.
From the deadly altitudes of Everest Base Camp to the scorching heat of Death Valley and the mysterious disappearances in India’s Parvati Valley, each of these 16 dangerous hikes offers breathtaking views with life-threatening risks.
Whether it’s unstable terrain, extreme weather, wild animals, or sheer drops, these trails demand skill, preparation, and nerves of steel.
If you’re planning an adventure, discover why these hikes are considered the most dangerous, and decide if the risk is worth the reward.
1: Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp is widely recognized as the most dangerous trek in the world. Each year, between three and 15 people unfortunately pass away while attempting this Himalayan journey, which remains on many thrill-seekers’ bucket lists.
Although the act of hiking itself is relatively easy, the primary risks associated with this trek are its extended duration and the severe lack of oxygen at its extreme high elevations, which significantly challenges trekkers.
2: Drakensberg Grand Traverse
The Drakensberg Grand Traverse ranks as the second most dangerous trek globally, an undeniably extreme multi-day hike in South Africa regardless of one’s skill level.
This remote 130-mile trail has a perilous history, with hikers frequently suffering from hyperthermia and fatal falls from poorly-made chain ladders.
By 1985, 55 fatalities had occurred, leading the government to stop recording the death toll due to the extreme danger.
3: Kalalau Trail
The Kalalau Trail in the US is considered one of the deadliest hikes, not primarily due to its muddy, slippery paths.
An official signpost warns of the beach’s unpredictable riptide, which has claimed over 85 lives by sweeping hikers away.
A specific section known as “Crawler’s Ledge” has also proven fatal for unprepared individuals. To control access, Kauai now requires a permit to hike this challenging 25-mile trail.
4: Corcovado National Park
The hike in Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park is so treacherous that the Costa Rican government mandates trekkers hire a trained guide.
Unlike other trails on this list, the weather here is predictable, and there are no extreme elevation changes.
The significant danger arises from mapless hikers getting 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
As its name suggests, Devil’s Causeway is a formidable hike in Colorado, situated at 11,500 feet elevation.
The roughly 10-mile journey takes hikers through valleys and uncomfortably narrow paths. The most daunting section is a pencil-thin landbridge that appears so precarious, it’s often enough to make even the most adventurous thrill-seekers decide to turn back rather than attempt to cross its intimidating span.
6: Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu has earned the ominous nickname “Machu Picchu Stairs of Death,” highlighting its extreme peril.
This steep and slippery 2.5-mile summit trek in Peru is considered even deadlier than the arduous four-day Inca Trail.
The dangerous conditions on Huayna Picchu lead to countless injuries annually and have unfortunately claimed lives. Its challenging ascent and treacherous footing require immense caution from all hikers.
7: The Precipice
Known as Maine’s most dangerous hiking trail, The Precipice in Acadia National Park offers an unbeatable view of New England foliage.
However, reaching it involves serious rock climbing, scaling three miles of steep mountain with only occasional iron rungs for aid.
The primary risk is the sheer drop-off: one slip or misstep can result in a fall of hundreds of feet, a tragic fate that many individuals have suffered on this unforgiving ascent.
8: Angel’s Landing
Angel’s Landing at Zion National Park in Utah is identified by Fodor’s as among America’s most dangerous hikes, largely due to its high death toll.
The main hazard is overcrowding, where trekkers of all experience levels often find themselves shoulder-to-shoulder on paths barely wide enough for one.
Hikers must navigate a thin, rocky path with heavy chain rails offering little consolation while staring into a deep chasm below.
9: Parvati Valley
Parvati Valley in India has earned chilling monikers such as the “Valley of Death” and “India’s Bermuda Triangle”. Its long, winding routes feature unstable footing, sheer drop-offs, and unpredictable weather, making it inherently dangerous.
These nicknames also stem from a mysterious phenomenon: over the past decades, more than 30 visitors have vanished without a trace or died under strange circumstances while attempting this hike.
10: The Mist Trail to Half Dome
Danger lurks on The Mist Trail to Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, requiring permits and clip-in cables for safety.
Over the past 15 years, this trail has seen 13 hiker fatalities and 290 reported accidents. Adventurers must slip and slide through Vernal Falls before enduring an 18-mile hike with 5,000 feet of elevation gain.
Disaster often strikes when hikers, with shaky legs, attempt to climb ladder-like cables to the summit.
11: Mount Huashan
In China, Mount Huashan has a treacherous history dating back over 700 years, when a Taoist priest first used thin boards to reach its summit.
It’s estimated that at least 100 hikers plummeted to their demise due to the mountain’s rickety platforms.
Although still risky, the hike has been updated with new wooden platforms and clip-in harnesses, aiming to provide a safer, yet still challenging, experience for those who dare to ascend.
12: Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail
Despite being one of the most popular US tourist destinations, the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail is deceptively dangerous, with over 800 reported deaths.
Even seasoned hikers can be caught off guard. Many start their journey downhill in the cool morning, expending crucial energy, only to face a grueling 10-mile climb back out via steep canyon switchbacks. The canyon’s remote nature means that asking for help is often impossible.
13: Mount Ijen
Mount Ijen in Java, Indonesia, is described by Fodor’s as the most inhospitable landscape on Earth. This active volcano features an electric blue-acid lake capable of melting metal and searing skin, making it not for the faint of heart.
Daring hikers must contend with putrid gas, volcanic ash, and twisting trails, necessitating a gas mask to witness the unique cerulean flames that emanate from the volcano into the night sky.
14: Death Valley National Park
The aptly named Death Valley National Park is fraught with danger, primarily due to being the hottest recorded place on Earth.
Even short trails can induce heatstroke in its 120+ degree landscapes. Adding to the peril, poor cell service makes navigation difficult for lost hikers.
The presence of three species of venomous snakes scattered throughout its ravines further exacerbates the risks, making it a highly dangerous environment for trekkers.
15: El Caminito del Rey
In Spain, El Caminito del Rey was once considered one of the world’s most dangerous hikes due to thrill-seekers plummeting from its rotten wooden boards. It involved clinging to a sheer cliffside on a rickety plank trail, with a distant river below.
Prompted by these dangers, authorities restored the trail for safety in 2015. Now, while still providing an adrenaline rush, hikers are required to wear a helmet for protection.
16: Mount Washington Summit
The Mount Washington Summit is recognized as the most dangerous hike in New England, posing a potentially life-threatening challenge.
Despite its relatively modest elevation of only about 6,000 feet, over 180 fatalities have been recorded. The primary hazard is the mountain’s rapidly changing weather, which often catches hikers unprepared.
Trekkers might begin in 75-degree sunny conditions only to encounter below-freezing temperatures halfway through the deceiving trek.
Alicia Richards