MOST THRILLING AND DANGEROUS HIKING TRAILS OF THE WORLD

 

written by Robert K June 1, 2016

 

Is there anything more enjoyable than hitting the trails out at the local state park to take in nature? Sometimes getting out into the fresh air can feel great and it can give a lift to your spirit while simultaneously making your healthier. However, for some people a walk in the park isn’t all that they want. Adventure travelers like to go around the world in order to spend time hiking through the best and most thrilling trails around. We decided to compile a list of the most dangerous hiking trails in the entire world and you better bet that we’ll be on them. So pack your backpack, book your cheap flight, and prep the hotel reservations: we’re going hiking.

 

Huayna Picchu -Peru

 

If you want the sort of hiking trail that ends in one of the true wonders of the world then you need to book a cheap ticket to Peru. Taking in ancient Inca remains while hiking through crumbling mountains is like something pulled straight from an Indiana Jones movie, and it simply cannot be beat. The most present dangerous moment on the Huayna Picchu trail involves what locals call the ‘Hike of Death’. This Hike of Death involves an ancient staircase that ascends over 1,000 feet in the span of less than an entire mile. You’ll travel through crumbling stairs, slick stones, and mist shrouding your vision. If you think that the trip is difficult going up then you are going to be blown around by the walk back down which is twice as hard and infinitely scarier. Still, the trip is well worth the difficulty as the view atop Huayna Pichu is simply second to none.

 

Drakensberg Traverse – South Africa

 

South Africa is beautiful and itself is home to many of the most exciting hiking trails you can think of. The Drakensberg Traverse is one of the more coveted trails on the continent and one that you’ll need to be particularly careful when taking part in. Statistics show that up to 1985 the trail had already claimed the lives of 55 hikers. Since then the Natal National Park, which hosts the trail, has reported almost one death every single year. The path itself runs across 40 miles of some of the most beautiful terrain that you’ll run across which includes mountain rangers, herding trails, rocky skids and even wild animal tracks. You’ll have to utilize special chain ladders to hit certain elevations during your hike. Book a hotel reservation near the Drakensberg Traverse and make sure that you patiently approach the dangerous trail.

 

 

Kokoda Track – Papua New Guinea

 

We are going to start off our list of dangerous hiking trails with an absolute bang by traveling to Paua New Guinea to take on the Kokoda Track. This trail covers a span of 60 miles in a direct line, ranging all the way through the Owen Stanley Mountain Range. History has also been made on this trail as it was the location of a big battle during World War II between Japanese and Australian forces. In order to traverse across the entire trail you’ll need to be prepared for 11 days of constant hiking. You’ll run through slipper dirt paths, water falls, extreme heat, and relentlessly cold nights. In 2009 13 people died in a plane crash on their way to the top of the trail while an additional 4 more died during their trek through it. This is not an adventure for inexperienced hikers and you must be prepared in all ways before setting onto its path.

 

Mount Washington – New Hampshire USA

 

Mount Washington is a misleading trail that is harder than it looks and frequently leads to injuries and even deaths. People think that the trek can be made in minimal protective clothing, not accounting for the extreme weather that they will face as they ascend the mountain. Over a hundred people have ended up dying on the mountain from problems ranging from hypothermia all the way to deadly avalanches. Mount Washington State Park advises hikers to skip this trek if they are looking for a safe trip.

 

Pacaya Volcano – Guatemala

 

Typically active volcanoes aren’t the safest place you can visit, but they do make for one heck of a trip. Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala, South America can be the perfect adventure hike for the willing traveler. You’ll have to contend with a volcano that can bubble at any time while also accounting for all of the extreme temperatures that are bound to be near the top. The park closes the trail near 8,000 feet due to the proximity of danger to the mountain.

 

Rover’s Run Trail – Alaska USA.

 

If you ever get the chance to visit Alaska be prepared to take in some of the most beautiful sights in all of North America. Rover’s Run is a fairly easy trail when compared to the rest of the options on our list, but there is danger from wildlife that means you need to keep your head on a swivel. Brown bears are found all over this area and attacks are reported every single year. The park can even close when bear activity is too high for safety.

 

The Maze – Utah USA

 

The Canyonlands National Park in Utah is as remote a hiking destination as you are likely to find in North America. The Canyonlands National Park has a special trail called The Maze that gets only about 2,000 total visitors throughout the entire year. The reason for this minimal amount is that the trail winds its way through red rock, making it borderline impossible to keep straight as you hike. You have to be aware of flooding and rock falls as well as death from exposure if you were to get lost. If you do decide to take on this beautiful trail make sure that you bring appropriate food and water as well as communication devices for anyone back home.

 

 

El Caminito del Rey – Spain

 

Let’s get you over to Spain to experience some overseas hiking. The El Chorro Gorge, located in the Malaga Province, is home to the El Caminito del Rey hiking path. You’ll be party to one of the greatest adventure trails on the face of the Earth and one that will be sure to test you at every turn. You’ll deal with high ascents, winding paths, tight plank bridges, and sections of path that are just completely gone. Be prepared for beating sun and bring plenty of water.

 

Mount Hua Shan: China

 

China is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse terrain in the world so it stands to reason that they’d have more than a few hiking trails for you to look for. Mount Hua Shan is home to probably the scariest trail on our list, at least for those people who are afraid of heights. This trail has been utilized by pilgrims for centuries and it includes vertical stairs with precious few places to put your hands. On the south side of the mountain you’ll run across the plank trail which is thought to be the most dangerous trail on the planet. This trail includes a row of planks that are bolted into the side of the mountain. In order to safely cross this trail you have to attach yourself to the handrail as you walk across. Rumor has it that up to 100 people per year die on this portion of the trail.

Bright Angel Trail – Arizona USA

 

You don’t need to know much about the United States to know that Arizona is one of the prettier places in the Union. Arizona has many beautiful hiking trails that are easy to access and safe to traverse. The Bright Angel Trail is as beautiful as it is difficult to get through and as such it needs to be approached carefully. Though the trail is deceptively easy to walk through, most of it has you going downhill — which makes the return trek all uphill. Bring plenty of water and keep an eye out for rest stations as you wander through the red rock. Also of note is the fact that the bottom of the canyon will have temperatures up to 20 degrees hotter than what you feel at the top.

 

Kalalau – Hawaii USA

 

There’s never a reason to turn down a trip to Hawaii and the Kalalau Trail is just another reason to go. You’ll end up along the Na Pali Coast where you’ll hike through thick jungle, mountain rock, and even volcanic hills. The trip takes 22 miles to go around and you’ll have to be aware of wetness at several sections — including some beautiful waterfalls. Though this trail is beautiful there is some danger from transients living out in the wilderness. So hike in groups and be prepared to defend yourself.

 

Cascade Saddle – New Zealand

 

Do you want to visit Middle Earth? if so, Cascade Saddle in New Zealand is probably the closest you are going to get to those beautiful Lord of the Rings views. Cascade Saddle is an 11 mile hike through forest and meadow with mountain views all around you. The path has garnered some scrutiny as severall hikers have lost their lives due to slippery conditions. Approach the trail with caution and preparedness and you’ll be rewarded with beauty unmatched by anywhere around the globe.

 

Data from "Touristate" website, edit by SNUMA WM, August 11, 2016