Guts Required: The Most Dangerous Hiking Trails 

Most mountaineers, trail runners, and mountain bikers will tell you that hiking is the least challenging outdoor activity. However, do not believe them, as even just putting one foot in front of the other can lead to some of the most dangerous journeys. A trek in the mountains can quickly become a flirtation with death due to dangerous strolls, wild animals, and heat. Even while many individuals successfully finish these routes, they are sufficiently risky for a few errors to result in significant injury or even death.

However, some of us love pushing our bodies to their limits. The rush of a difficult hike gets the blood beating and the adrenaline flowing. However, whether you are one of them or not, you need to be prepared by knowing upfront all the dangerous trails in the world.

So here are 6 challenging hiking routes from around the globe that I do not recommend for amateur hikers.

USA: The Maze   

The Maze, a part of Utah’s Canyonlands National Park, is complicated to get around because the area is filled with dead ends. Here, hikers need to be saved frequently. It is so easy to get lost in the interconnecting canyons and tight spaces. Water sources are also difficult to locate. Finding springs with drinkable water is made much easier with a map and compass. The fact that only 2,000 people walk this trail annually gives you an idea of how difficult it is to reach.

China: Mount Huashan   

This hike is regarded by many as being the riskiest in the entire world. The Mount Huashan hiking trail, initially designed for pilgrims ascending to the top to view the temples, is now frequented by tourists worldwide for its “plank walk in the sky.” We advise avoiding this climb if you are afraid of height because it winds through a network of tiny wooden boards fastened to the mountain. Hikers must climb a vertical ladder carved into the rocks, supported only by rusting chains, to reach the planks. There are places where the wooden planks vanish, leaving just footholds carved into the rocks, which call for careful maneuvering. The route’s final destination offers breathtaking panoramic views.

Peru: Huayna Picchu  

It can be challenging to climb Machu Picchu. However, the danger starts after you continue up the trek past the fabled city and climb Huayna Picchu, often known as the “Hike of Death.” The ancient Inca staircase rises around 1,000 feet in less than a mile and is made of granite. Additionally, the path is littered with crumbling, rotting rock, slippery stones, and exposed corners. Unfortunately, many individuals attempt the trek completely unprepared, drunk, and in flip-flops.

The route is made more challenging by clouds and fog; in some places, hikers must cling to rusted steel lines. The easy thing is getting there. Many times, the fear of descending the steep slope paralyzes travelers.

USA: Devil’s Path  

Did you know there is a dangerous path in New York? Moreover, it is just as vicious as the name would suggest.

The eastern part of Devil’s Path, more than 24 miles long, features iconic routes, including a six-mile roundtrip hike up Indian Mountain. Inexperienced hikers or those with a fear of height should not attempt this. Some climbs call for hikers to push themselves up by hanging onto slick roots. In many places, tripping and falling can be fatal, as moss-covered rocks, deep mud, and water along the trail. Authorities claim that practically every year, someone dies on Devil’s Path from heart attack or just falling down.

Papua New Guinea: Kokoda Track  

Many deaths have occurred along the Kokoda Track over the years. It saw fierce fighting between the Japanese and Australians in 1942. However, until the past ten years, the 60-mile trip connecting the Kokoda settlement to Port Moresby’s suburbs had been almost completely forgotten.

Four more hikers perished on the journey, which can take up to 11 days to finish, and 13 more perished in a plane crash on the way to the trailhead in 2009. They experienced malaria, scorching heat, icy nights, and daily afternoon showers that soaked them to the bone. The actual path has been compared to a StairMaster in a steam room because of its ankle-deep muck, slick roots, and sections that turn into waterfalls. The high mortality toll and the challenging terrain started to discourage hikers.

The governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea have invested millions of dollars in upgrading the trail’s facilities since the disastrous 2009 season. While the threats mentioned above must still be avoided, the wild route constantly evolves.

New Zealand: Cascade Saddle 

In New Zealand, hiking is one of the best things to do, and Cascade Saddle is a well-liked hiking trail there. The nearly two-day journey covers 11 miles while providing hikers with some of the breathtaking scenery from the “Lord of the Rings” film series. The trail’s slippery, unstable footing is its most hazardous feature, especially when it rains. Many hikers have been hurt, and some have even passed away. The Cascade Saddle trail has seen “far too many deaths,” according to a local coroner. Additionally, the breathtaking mountain views can distract trekkers, which is not helpful.

Is Hiking Dangerous?  

No. However, you have to prepare appropriately. Here is what I recommend:

1. Do your research
2. Wear appropriate shoes
3. Study the weather
4. Pack waterproof and spare clothes
5. Try to avoid the crowds
6. Do not hike in case you are tired

Good luck!